Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo, Southern Philippines

Lilibeth Villan Rufila, Fulgent Palmitos Coritico, Hannah Pava Lumista, Florfe Macabudbud Acma, Noe Polo Mendez, Joevina Caballero Nobleza, Victor Bucad Amoroso

Abstract


This research was carried out to study the diversity and assess the conservation status and endemism of ferns and lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Southern Philippines. Repeated transect walks were done with 20 sampling plots delineated on the site. Specimens were collected, identified, and assessed for their conservation status and endemism. Data gathered were analyzed employing the Shannon-Weiner Index. The inventory revealed 215 species (202 species of ferns and 13 species of lycophytes) belonging to 74 genera and 23 families. Polypodiaceae, Aspleniaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, and Pteridaceae were the species-rich families collected. Asplenium nidus L., Pneumatopteris costata (Brackenr.) Holttum, and Asplenium thunbergii Kunze obtained the highest species importance values. Mt. Malambo has a diversity value of H’=1.83 which is higher compared to other mountains in Mindanao. This study reports 20 Philippine endemic and 19 threatened species of ferns and lycophytes in the area. Of these, one is critically endangered, 11 are endangered, five are vulnerable, and two are other threatened species. The presence of many threatened and endemic species in the area implies that high priority should be addressed in protecting and conserving these species of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo.

Keywords: Diversity assessment, inventory, montane forest, pteridophytes, threatened species

Full Text:

PDF

References


Acma FM, Mendez NP, Lagunday NE, Amoroso VB. 2021. Diversity of understory flowering plants in the forest patches of Marilog District, Philippines. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(5): 18247–18256. doi: 10.11609/jott.6278.13.5.18247-18256.

Alombro NC. 1999. Pteridophyte Flora of Mt. Malambo in Barangay Datu Salumay, Marilog District, Davao City. [MS thesis]. Musuan, Bukidnon: Central Mindanao University, Philippines.

Amoroso VB, Acma FM, Pava HP. 1996. Diversity status and ecology of pteridophytes in three forests in Mindanao, Philippines. In: Camus JM and Johns RJ, editors. Pteridology in Perspective. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Amoroso VB, Arances JB, Gorne ND, Ruba RP, Rufila LV, Opiso GS, Demetillo MT, Noval KG, van den Berg A, Stortelder A, Kessler PJA, Gruezo W, Lagunzad DA, Tan BC, Co LL, Aranico EC, Roscom BA, Alava CG. 2006. Plant diversity in the northern landscape of Mt. Malindang Range and environs, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. College Laguna: SEAMCO SEARCA and Quezon City: PDM Press, Philippines. 116 p.

Amoroso VB, Obsioma LD, Arlalejo JB, Aspiras RA, Capili DP, Polizon JJA, Sumile EB. 2009. Inventory and conservation of endangered, endemic and economically important flora of Hamiguitan Range, Southern Philippines. Blumea 54(1–3): 71–76. doi: 10.376/000651909X474113.

Amoroso VB, Laraga SH, Calzada BV. 2011. Diversity and assessment of plants in Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Bukidnon, Southern Philippines. Gardens Bulletin Singapore 63(1/2): 219–239.

Amoroso VB, Amoroso CB, Coritico FP. 2012 Diversity and status of plants in three mountain ecosystems in southern Mindanao, Philippines. Asian Journal of Biodiversity 3(1): 50–73. doi: 10.7828/ajob.v3i1.83.

Amoroso VB, Chiou WL, Liu YC, Callado JRC, Briones NNG, Coritico FP. 2015. Threatened Endemic, Rare, Economic species of Philippine Pteridophytes. Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines: Instructional Materials and Development Center, 173 pp.

Amoroso VB, Coritico FP, Fritsch PW. 2016. Species richness and conservation status of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science 145: 127–137.

Amoroso VB, Coritico FP, Bucol AA, Aribal LG, Alcala EL. 2018. Biodiversity Inventory, Assessment and Monitoring in Balinsasayao Twin-Lakes Natural Park (BTLNP). Technical Report. Central Mindanao University. Philippines.

Amoroso VB, Acma FM, Coritico FP, Gorme FS, Lagunday NE, Salolog MCS, Colong RD. 2018. Floral diversity assessment of the buffer zones and vicinity of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS), Davao Oriental: basis for inclusion to protected area zone. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology 12(2): 36–51.

Barcelona JF, Nickrent DL, Lafrankie JV, Callado JRC, Pelser PB. 2013. Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines: plant identification and conservation through cybertaxonomy. Philippine Journal of Science 142(special issue): 57–67.

Bhattarai KR, Vetaas OR, Grytnes JA. 2004. Fern species richness along a central Himalayan elevational gradient, Nepal. Journal of Biogeography 31(3): 389–400. doi: 10.1046/j.0305-0270.2003.01013.x.

Copeland EB. 1958–1961. Fern Flora of the Philippines. Vols. 3. Manila: Manila Bureau of Printing, 555 pp.

Coritico FP, Amoroso VB, Acma FM, Cariño YLL, Fritsch PW. 2020. Ferns and Lycophytes of Mt. Tago Range, Bukidnon, Southern Philippines: Species Richness, Distribution and Conservation Status. Philippine Journal og Science 149(3-a): 773–790.

Coritico FP and Amoroso VB. 2020. Threatened Lycophytes and Ferns in four Protected Areas of Mindanao, Philippines. Nature Conservation Research 5(44):78–88.

Curtis JT, McIntosh RP. 1951. The interrelations of certain analytic and synthetic phytosociological characters. Ecology 31: 434–455.

Fernando ES, Amoroso VB, Tandang DN, Banag CI, Lapis AB, Gruezo WS, Coritico FP, Pollisco FA Jr., Palijon AM, Ching MD, Lansigan FP, Garcia-Francisco C, Lita NM, Tagtag AM, de Leon JL. 2022. Threatened Plants of the Philippines. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Biodiversity Management Bureau. 149p.

Gonzales AA. 2000. Pteridophytes of Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato. [dissertation]. Musuan, Bukidnon: Central Mindanao University, Philippines.

Hodge WH. 1947. The use of alcohol in plant collecting. Rhodora 49: 207–210.

Kessler M. 2010. Biogeography of ferns. In: Fern Ecology. Mehltreter K, Walker LR, Sharpe JM eds. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 22–60 pp.

Kessler M, Kluge J, Hemp A, Ohlemüller R. 2011. A global comparative analysis of elevational species richness patterns of ferns. Global Ecology and Biogeography 20: 868–880. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2011.00653.x.

Kluge J, Bach K, Kessler M. 2008. Elevational distribution and zonation of tropical pteridophyte assemblages in Costa Rica. Basic and Applied Ecology 9(1): 35–43. doi: 10.1016/j.baae.2006.11.004.

Krömer T, Kessler M, Gradstein SR, Acebey A. 2005. Diversity patterns of vascular epiphytes along an altitudinal gradient in the Andes. Journal of Biogeography 32(10): 1799–1809. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01318.x.

Lauer W, Rafiqpoor MD, Frankenberg P. 1996. Die Klimate der Erde. Eine Klassifikation auf ökophysiologischer Grundlage der realen Vegetation. Erdkunde 50: 275–300.

Mehltreter K, Walker LR, Sharpe JM. 2010 eds. Fern Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 460 p.

Pelser PB, Barcelona JF, Nickrent DL. (Eds.). 2011 onwards. Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines. Accessed at: www.philippineplants.org.

PPG I. 2016. A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns. Journal of systematics and Evolution 54(6): 563–603.

Rufila LV. 2016. Diversity and Distribution of Pteridophytes in Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Misamis Occidental Philippines. [dissertation]. Musuan, Bukidnon: Central Mindanao University, Philippines.

Salazar L, Homeiera J, Kessler M, Abrahamczykb S, Lehnert M, Krömer T, Kluge J. 2013. Diversity patterns of ferns along elevational gradients in Andean tropical forests. Plant Ecology & Diversity 1–12. doi: 10.1080/17550874.2013.843036.

Salgado EA. 1990. A checklist of Philippine ferns. Philippine Journal of Science 119: 107–148.

Shannon CE, Weiner W. 1963. The Mathematical Theory of Communication. University of Illinois Press. Urbana, 117 p.

Silverio FD. 2014. Diversity of Trees and Pteridophytes across Vegetation Types in Mount Apo, Mindanao. [dissertation]. Musuan, Bukidnon: Central Mindanao University, Philippines.

Silverio FD, Cadali JAN, Malik BSA, Coritico FP, Amoroso VB. 2021. Checklist and Conservation Status of Ferns and Lycophytes of Mt. Sinaka, Arakan, North Cotabato, Southern Philippines. The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 15(2): 161–175.

Smith AR, Pryer KM, Schuettpelze E, Korall P, Schneider H, Wolf PG. 2008. Fern classification. In: Biology and evolution of ferns and lycophytes. Ranker TA, Haufler CH eds. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 417–446 pp.

Sosanika GL, Sule B, Fazang K, Kiaprani R, Damas K, Hitofumi A, Turia R, Dargusch Paul, Novotny V. 2022. Fern species richness and diversity in the forest ecosystems of Papua New Guinea: a case study along an elevational gradient. Case Studies in the Environment 6(1). doi: 10.1525/cse.2022.1696511.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons Licence
Ruhuna Journal of Science by University of Ruhuna is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

eISSN: 2536-8400

Print ISSN: 1800-279X (Before 2014)