The Aquatic Biology Research Lab (ABRL) focuses on direct biological assessment and monitoring using multiple biological communities (benthic diatoms, macroinvertebrates and fish) across the Philippines. Results of the various research projects at the ABRL will contribute to the development of a rapid, cost-effective biological scoring system or index to assess the state of Philippine aquatic ecosystems. This index will be designed to evaluate water quality and aquatic ecosystem health using resident biota and thus addressing a specific gap in the implementation of the Philippine Clean Water Act – an evaluation of water quality in terms of biological attributes. It is likewise envisaged that the index will be subsequently adopted by national government agencies, local government units and private institutions by incorporating the index into their water quality monitoring programs.
Francis S. Magbanua, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Zoology (Freshwater Ecology)
fsmagbanua@up.edu.ph
Head of LaboratoryThe Stream Team
Angelo Joshua C. Luciano
University Research Associate I
M.S. student (Environmental Science)
Project: Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring Program – Freshwater Component
John Claude Renan B. Salluta
Research Associate
Project: Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring Program – Freshwater Component
Julie-An N. Gregorio
Research Associate
M.S. student (Environmental Science)
Project: Biodiversity-driven Nutrient Cycling and Human Well-being in Social-Ecological Systems
Marjohn Y. Baludo
Volunteer
M.S. student (Environmental Science)
- Water quality test kits
- Stereo microscope with camera
- Invertebrate drift nets
- Surber samplers
- D-frame kick nets
- Plankton nets
- GPS
- Temp-Conductivity-TDS meter
- pH meter
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Biodiversity-driven Nutrient Cycling and Human Well-being in Social-Ecological Systems
(in collaboration with the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Laguna Lake Development Authority and the University of Santo Tomas) - Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring Program: Freshwater Component
RECENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Urban stream biodiversity: the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of UP Diliman waterways
- Protected Area Gallery/Museum – Concepts and Design
- Freshwater Ecosystems: Baseline Biological Assessment of Risks
- Comprehensive Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring Program of the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed – Freshwater Component
- Biodiversity Action Plan Implementation and Monitoring Program – Freshwater Component
- Stream macroinvertebrate responses to contrasting land use and seasonal stream flow
- Biodiversity-driven Nutrient Cycling and Human Well-being in Social-Ecological Systems
- Peralta, E.M., Belen, A.E., Buenaventura, G.R., Cantre, F.G.G., Espiritu, K.G.R., De Vera, J.N.A., Perez, C., Tan, A.K.V., De Jesus, I.B.B., Palomares, P.Q., Briones, J.C.A., Ikeya, T., Magbanua, F.S., Papa, R.D.S., & Okuda, N. (2019). Stream benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages reveal the importance of the recently established protected freshwater area in a tropical watershed. Pacific Science, 73(3): In press.
- Li, H.M., Guinto, S.K.P., Papa, R.D.S., Han, B.-P., Magbanua, F.S., Rizo, E.Z.C., Dumont, H.J. & Lin, Q. 2019. On Filipinodiaptomus Lai, Mamaril, Sr. & Fernando, 1979 (Calanoida: Diaptomidae): Redescription and re-allocation of the Philippine endemic Diaptomus vexillifer Brehm, 1933. Crustaceana, 92(5): 513-536.
- Magbanua, F.S., Salluta, J.C.R., Deborde, D.D.D. & Hernandez, M.B.M. (2019). Benthic macroinvertebrates of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus waterways and their variation across land use in an urban, academic landscape. Science Diliman, 31(1): 5-24.
- Vocal, I.C.S., Perez, T.R., Magbanua, F.S. & Hernandez, M.B.M. (2018). The use of epilithic diatom assemblages in assessing land use in Silago, Southern Leyte, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, 12(2): 92-102.
- Peralta, E.M., Guerrero, H.J.A., Arce, C.G.S.M., Domingo, J.J.A., Maute, M.A., San Miguel, M.D.S., Triño, E.M.C., De Jesus, I.B.B., Briones, J.C.A., Magbanua, F.S., Okuda, N. & Papa, R.D.S. (2017). Prevailing environmental conditions influence mollusk diversity and distribution around Talim Island of Laguna de Bay (Luzon Is., Philippines). The Antoninus Journal, 2017(1):31-39.
- Magbanua, F.S., Fontanilla, A.M., Ong, P.S. & Hernandez, M.B.M. (2017). 25 years of freshwater research in the Philippines: what has been done and what to do next? Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology 11(1):1-15.
- Sanchez, L.R.S., Magbanua, F.S. & Cao, E.P. (2017). Isolation, characterization and rapid screening of copper-tolerant cyanobacteria from mining sites, a strawberry farm and a forest site in Benguet Province, Philippines. Journal of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences, 23(2):8-19.
- Lopez, M.L.D., Magbanua, F.S., Mamaril, A.C. & Papa, R.D.S. (2017). Variations in microcrustacean (Crustacea: Cladocera, Copepoda) assemblages from selected groundwater-dependent ecosystems in the greater Luzon and Mindoro Island faunal regions (Philippines): insights to tropical groundwater ecology. Inland Waters, 7(4):428-439.
- Deborde, D.D.D., Hernandez, M.B.M. & Magbanua, F.S. (2016) Benthic macroinvertebrate community as indicator of stream health: effects of land use on stream benthic macroinvertebrates. Science Diliman, 28(2):5-25.
- Adorable-Asis, A.-G.A., Cauyan, G.A., Pagulayan, R.C., Magbanua, F.S. & Papa, R.D.S. (2016) The macro-gastropod communities of aquaculture-intensive lakes in the Philippines. Molluscan Research, 36(4): 223-230.
- Magbanua, F.S., Townsend, C.R., Hageman, K.J., Piggott, J.J. & Matthaei, C.D. (2016) Individual and combined effects of fine sediment and glyphosate herbicide on invertebrate drift and insect emergence: a stream mesocosm experiment. Freshwater Science, 35:139-151.
- Magbanua, F.S., Mendoza, N.Y.B., Uy, C.J.C., Matthaei, C.D. & Ong, P.S. (2015) Water physicochemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in a tropical reservoir: the role of water level fluctuations and water depth. Limnologica – Ecology and Management of Inland Waters, 55: 13-20.
- Shahpoury, P., Hageman, K.J., Matthaei, C.D. & Magbanua, F.S. (2013) Chlorinated pesticides in stream sediments from organic, integrated and conventional farms. Environmental Pollution, 181: 219-225.
- Magbanua, F.S., Townsend, C.R., Lange, K., Hageman, K.J., Lear, G., Lewis, G.D.& Matthaei, C.D. (2013) Understanding the combined influence of fine sediment and glyphosate herbicide on stream periphyton communities. Water Research, 47: 5110-5120.
- Magbanua, F.S., Townsend, C.R, Hageman, K.J. & Matthaei, C.D. (2013) Individual and combined effects of fine sediment and the herbicide glyphosate on benthic macroinvertebrates and stream ecosystem function. Freshwater Biology,58: 1729-1744.
- Magbanua, F.S., Townsend, C.R., Blackwell, G.L., Phillips, N.& Matthaei, C.D. (2010) Responses of stream macroinvertebrates and ecosystem function to conventional, integrated and organic farming. Journal of Applied Ecology, 47: 1014–1025.
- Pagulayan, R.C., Lopez, N.C. & Magbanua, F.S. (1999) Littoral fishes of Lake Taal. Sylvatrop, 7: 84-93.