This component project proposal is part of a bigger program proposal, which intends to assess the vulnerability of both limnetic and littoral areas of post-eruption Lake Taal. The two projects that were proposed have a similar framework: (a) look into changes in the lake’s water quality, (b) assess the stability of an important catch fisheries target, (c) determine the community structure of primary consumers that may act serve as an important dietary source for fish communities, (d) and look into the trophic interactions of all elements to provide sound policy recommendations for both littoral and limnetic areas of Lake Taal. On our end, we propose to investigate differences in Biya population characteristics and habits, macroinvertebrate community structure, and coastal water quality and enrichment because of ash deposition.

Assessing the interactions among lake biota is a proven, effective measure and gold standard for lake rehabilitation. Such researches are successfully utilized in providing good recommendations for altered freshwater ecosystems (Lake et al. 2001). However, trophic interactions in lake ecosystems are complex. That is why we need to characterize both benthic and pelagic pathways which undergo different processes but are equally important for understanding the whole-lake perspective (Carpenter & Kitchell 1993, Jeppensen et al. 2005, Vadeboncoeur et al. 2002).