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S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T A S P E C T S
Figure 11. Landsat images of coastal habitats in Calatagan, Batangas*.
* Landsat images showing temporal variation of coastal habitats in Calatagan, Batangas. The images
represent extent of coastal habitats in Calatagan in 1990–1993 (left) and in 2003 (right).
Source: Abella, 2007.
Habitat Protection, Restoration and Management
Areal extent of habitats
Implications and Recommendations
Coral reefs are generally improving in areas where they
are being protected and laws enforced but mangroves are
declining despite rehabilitation efforts. Given the global
importance of the Verde Passage as the center of the center
of marine biological diversity, coral reef management could
be further scaled up with increased support for the coastal
law enforcement network, while mangrove management
could be scaled up to avoid further loss and degradation.
The geographic extent of habitats, and especially their
trends, are not easy to collect. PG-ENRO could explore
longer term partnerships with CI-Philippines, WWF-
Philippines and DENR-PENRO for periodic monitoring
of these parameters. The global significance of the
Verde Island Passage warrants external support for such
intensive monitoring.
References
Abella M. 2007. Coral Mortality Discrimination and Benthic Habitat Phase Shift Analysis using Landsat TM and ETM+
Imageries of Verde Passage and Balabac, Palawan. Presented at Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Congress 2007.
Conservation International.
Carpenter and Springer. 2005. “The Center of the Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity: The Philippine Islands.”
CI-Philippines. 2007. Perception maps of coastal habitats in Batangas.
World Bank. 2004. Philippine Environment Monitor. Figure 4.
WWF-Philippines. 2007. “Status of Corals in Balayan and Adjacent Bays, Batangas, Philippines.” Presented during the
Joint BBREPC-PSWMB Meeting in November 2007.
State of the Coasts of Batangas Province
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