Abstract only.

Physico-chemical and biological features of the northern shore areas of Volcano Island, Lake Taal observed at monthly intervals from four stations during the period 1994 and 1996 indicate varied microhabitats inhabited by a variety of plants and animals. Physico-chemical characteristics of surface waters were: temperature, 28-35°C; dissolved oxygen content, 3.5-6.2 ppm; pH, 7.5-8.9; salinity, 0-24 ppt; and conductivity, 1.6-4.3 S cm^-1. Substratum types were mainly sandy with pebbles or rocks or sandy-muddy. Characteristic submerged plants were the eelgrass Vallisneria gigantea and filamentous green algae. In the eelgrass region, atyid shrimps, mostly Ciridina gracilirostris, commonly occur. Snails such as Melanoides costellaris and Terebia granifera were the most abundant benthic animals collected. Other invertebrates identified from core samples were Corbicula manilensis, annelids, crustaceans and chironomid larvae.