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Floral Inventory and Assessment of Mt. Amuyao Mossy Forest (Luzon, Philippines) for Biodiversity Resources Conservation and Management
Thesis Abstract:
Floral inventory and assessment of the northern slope of Mt. Amuyao, Barlig, Mountain Province was conducted along altitudinal gradients from 1,600 to 2,600 masl.
Community utilization of diverse bioresources was determined as well as the conservation status of each plant.
A total of 280 vascular plant species belonging to 180 genera and 84 families was recorded from actual floristic surveys and vegetation analysis of the northern slope of Mt. Amuyao. Of the 280 species, nine were large trees (3.21%), 25 were mediumsized trees (8.93%), 50 were small trees (17.86%), 27 were shrubs (9.64%), 53 were herbs (18.93%), 18 were epiphytes (6.43%), 68 were ferns (24.8%), 12 were grasses (4.29%), 16 were vines (5.71%), one was liana (0.36%) and one was a climbing bamboo (0.36%). Gamma diversity of this sector of the mountain was H′ = 4.33.
The northern slope of Mt. Amuyao was divided into three zones and four subzones, as follows:
Zone 1 – Tropical Moist Forest (1,600-1,800 masl) had a total of 64 species distributed in 59 genera and 37 families. Of the 64 species, there were 20 trees, 5 shrubs, 14 herbs, 3 epiphytes, 10 ferns, 9 grasses, and 3 vines. This zone had an alpha diversity of H′ = 2.65. Subzone A – Pinus forest (1,600-1,800 masl) was located in this zone.
Zone 2 – Tropical Premontane Wet Forest (1,801-2,400 masl) had a total of 202 species distributed in 130 genera and 74 families. The 202 species comprised 56 trees, 25 shrubs, 42 herbs, 16 epiphytes, 45 ferns, 4 grasses, 13 vines, and 1 parasitic plant. It had an alpha diversity of H′ = 4.61. Subzone B Lithocarpus-Decaspermum forest (1,801-2,200 masl) was located in this zone together with Subzone C – Drimys- Phyylocladus forest (2,201-2,400 masl).
Zone 3 – Tropical Montane Rain Forest (2,401-2,701 masl) had a total of 74 species distributed in 61 genera and 44 families. The 74 species were composed of 34 trees, 6 shrubs, 10 herbs, 5 epiphytes, 15 ferns, 2 vines, and 2 parasitic plants. This zone had an alpha diversity of H′ = 3.12. Subzone D – Lithocarpus-Dacrycarpus forest was found within this zone at an elevation of 2,401-2,701 masl.
The conservation status of the 280 vascular plant species was as follows: 84 species endemic, 3 rare, and 95 common and widespread. According to their uses and functional roles, the 280 species with multiple uses can be classified as follows: 21 medicinal, 13 timber, 105 ornamental, 122 landscaping, 29 domestic uses and the rest has ecological importance. Among the three zones, Zone 2 had the highest species diversity (H′ = 4.61), followed by Zone 3 (H′ = 3.12), and lastly, Zone 1 (H′ = 2.65).
A total of 115 Finnalig terms consisting of Finnalig names for vascular plants and household words were recorded here for the first time.
Traditional beliefs practiced by the natives in extraction of forest products were also identified. Some of the identified beliefs could help in the conservation of the resources. However, it was revealed by the study that cultural and indigenous practices of the people in the area had been eroding due to modernization.
Utilization of bioresources in Mt. Amuyao was still sustainable; however, with the present economic condition in the area, it is necessary that socioeconomic aspect of the natives be given immediate action by the government. The socioeconomic status of the indigenous tribes in the study site affected the utilization of bioresources and therefore should be given urgent attention concomitant with the government’s implementation of natural resources planning and management. It was predicted that if no action is done, denudation and depletion of these diverse bioresources of Mt. Amuyao will occur in the next decade or so.