Correlating mangrove diversity and soil composition in a rehabilitated coastline of Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, Philippines

Soil is a vital component in the growth and development of plants. Understanding the relationship between mangrove diversity and soil composition might improve rehabilitation efforts in the study area. The study employed a purposive sampling in the rehabilitated mangrove landscape in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. A total of 20 quadrates (10 m x 10 m) were installed. Mangrove species and soil samples were identified and collected. The results revealed 7 species belonging to 5 families of mangroves in the quadrates. Gravel was the most dominant substrate and Avicennia marina the most dominant species. Diversity is expected to be high in very coarse sand substrate (Pearson correlation p = 0.272). Using the principal component analysis, PC1 and PC2 gave 77.3% cumulative variation. The data suggested variability between soil structure and species diversity in quadrates.