As part of my BS Biology (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology track, graduated with Latin honors), I conducted my undergraduate thesis on the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems within the UP Diliman campus. The study analyzed nearly 19,000 benthic macroinvertebrate specimens collected across nine sites representing different land uses and both wet and dry seasons.

Using a combination of taxonomic identification and functional trait analysis (feeding type, respiration, reproduction, and locomotion), I evaluated the responses of aquatic communities to physicochemical stressors. With statistical tests such as two-way PERMANOVA and fourth-corner analysis via fuzzy coding, as well as with the use of various biotic indices (HFBI, SingScore, SIGNAL2, BMWP^thai, ASPT^thai, ATSPT, Total Taxa Richness & Abundance, EPTC Taxa Richness, Simpson's Diversity and Evenness Indices), it was revealed that there was:

Significant seasonal variation in diversity and tolerance indices, with more tolerant taxa dominating during the dry season.

Persistent dominance of pollution-tolerant groups such as Chironomids, Physidae and Lymnaeidae snails, odonates, and oligochaetes, reflecting ongoing anthropogenic disturbance.

Functional traits remained stable across land uses and seasons, suggesting resilience but also indicating a uniformly stressed environment.

Overall, the findings highlight the severe impact of urbanization on campus waterways and underscore the importance of developing locally tailored biotic indices for Philippine streams.

This project covered the full research cycle — from design and fieldwork to lab protocols, data wrangling, and statistical analyses using QGIS, RStudio, and PAST.

Note: This manuscript has been approved for public access by the University of the Philippines Diliman Office of the University Registrar. For any inquiries regarding the content, please contact me directly. If you wish to use or reference this work, please provide proper citation.