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Dendogram of 18 sampling plots generated through UPGMA using Jaccard Similarity Index. Bootstraping was done at n = 1000; cophenetic correlation is 0.94. SMQ1-SMQ3 and SMQ12 are plots located in submontane (the upper part of the lake); SMQ4-SMQ11 - plots located in submontane (along the lake); LLQ1-LLQ3 are plots located in the lowland; MOQ1-MOQ3 – plots in the montane Lowland.
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Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park (BTLNP) is one of the protected areas on the Island of Negros Oriental which is enormously rich in biodiversity due to different Lowland types formed along its elevation gradient. This study was conducted to better understand the composition and diversity of plant species in the natural park to improve conservat...
Citations
... The computed Jaccard Similarity Indices per plant structure highlights a deeper understanding of a mossy forest ecosystem showing the variation of species composition across the area without much difference in elevational gradient. Altitudinal gradient and shift of species composition have long been documented across the Philippines and show a dramatic shift of existing species as elevation changes (Aureo et al. 2021;Lillo et al. 2019). However, documentation on plant diversity in a single community disregarding elevation gradient is still limited. ...
The scientific community faces the challenge of measuring progress toward biodiversity targets and indices have been traditionally used. However, recent inventories in secondary tropical mountain forests using traditional biodiversity indices have yielded results that are indistinct with primary ones. This shows the need to develop complementary indices that goes beyond species count but integrates the distribution and conservation status of the species. This study developed endemicity and conservation importance index for tropical forest that incorporated the distribution and conservation status of the species. These indices were applied to Mt. Natoo, a remnant primary mossy forest in Buguias, Benguet, Philippines, that resulted to endemicity index of 81.07 and conservation importance index of 42.90. Comparing these with secondary forest sites with comparable Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Evenness and Margalef’s indices, our endemicity and conservation indices clearly differentiates primary forest (our study site) with higher values from secondary forests with much lower values. Thus, we are proposing these indices for a direct but scientifically-informed identification of specific sites for conservation and protection in tropical forests. Additionally, our study documented a total of 168 vascular plant species (79 endemic and 12 locally threatened species) in Mt. Nato-o. Majority are of tropical elements for both generic and species levels with some temperate elements that could be attributed to the site’s high elevation and semi-temperate climate. These are important baseline information for conservation plans and monitoring of tropical mossy forests.
... Similarly, Casas and Baguinon (2009) found that the number of tree species was lowest in areas with human activity on Samar Island Forest Reserve. Human impact on tropical mountain forests, such as logging and forest clearing for agriculture have transformed large portions of these ecosystems into human-dominated forest landscapes (Laurance et al. 2014;Chen et al. 2015;Newbold et al. 2015;IPCC 2019;Gao et al. 2019;Rana et al. 2019;Xu et al. 2019;Aureo et al. 2021). Globally, the magnitude and direction of changes in species richness are strongly influenced by the type, intensity, severity, frequency, and timing of disturbances (Buot and Osumi 2011;Sopsop and Buot 2013;Newbold et al. 2015;Barlow et al. 2018). ...
... Some edaphic factors, such as Na, Cu, pH, and Mn (represented by long arrows), have an impact on the vegetation structure of GMRPLS ( Figure 6). Soil analysis revealed differences in soil chemical properties between sampling plots (Table 4), which can subsequently influence vegetation structure (Becknell and Powers 2014;De Jager et al. 2015;Rodrigues et al. 2016;Idowu et al. 2020;Bañares-de-Dios et al. 2022). As shown in Figure 6, Cu is correlated with sampling plots GUI 05, GUI 06, GUI 07, and GUI 03. ...
Buot Jr IE, Villanueva ELC, Origenes MG, Obeña RDR. 2023. Forests over limestone in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, the Philippines: Species composition and influencing environmental factors. Biodiversitas 24: 5123-5136. Forests over limestone are critical ecosystems providing numerous ecosystem services. However, the ecology of these ecosystems is less studied like the Guiuan Marine Resource Protected Landscape and Seascape (GMRPLS) in Eastern Samar, Philippines which incidentally is affected by strong typhoons. Studies on forests over limestone are even more essential to understand the vegetation ecology providing insights in crafting appropriate management strategy to sustain ecosystem services. Hence, the study aims to identify the woody vegetation diversity and composition of forests over limestone in GMRPLS, and to analyze the environmental factors influencing the physiognomy and ecology of the forests. Standard vegetation techniques were used and a total of nine plots with size of 20 × 20m each were established to assess the tree species (?1m height). Plant abundance data were recorded and computed. Soil samples were collected while climate data were obtained from the Guiuan, Eastern Samar Weather Station. Cluster analysis using relative density of trees per plot was done in order to identify major plant communities. Subsequently, a canonical correspondence analysis was carried out to pinpoint which environmental variables influenced the plant data set. Results show a total of 37 species belonging to 17 families, with 18 species are listed under by IUCN and seven species are listed by DAO 2017-11. Cluster analysis indicated 3 vegetation groupings or clusters named after the dominant species per plot, namely Cluster I (Hancea-Calophyllum-Macaranga-Ficus-Gnetum), Cluster II (Monoon-Wallaceodendron-Artocarpus-Hancea-Bago-eho), and Cluster III (Bridelia-Monoon-Neonauclea-Gnetum-Artocarpus-Sterculia-Hancea). GUI 02 plot (Cluster 1) was observed as the most diverse with the highest Simpson’s index and Fisher’s alpha, as well as the highest in total number of tree species. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated elevation, temperature and anthropogenic disturbances as the major factors influencing the vegetation diversity and composition. This can be used to formulate forest management strategies for the sustainable conservation of forests over limestone in GMRPLS.
... This result was higher compared to the studies conducted in forest over limestone of Dinagat island which accounted in 144 plant species belonging to 50 families and 88 genera (Lillo et al. 2018), Mt. Lantoy key biodiversity area (KBA) in the Province of Cebu with 112 species (Lillo et al. 2019) but lower compared to Canbantug forest with 192 species, 159 genera belonging to 62 plant families (Replan and Malaki 2017), 351 species from Negros (Aureo et al. 2021) and 368 species in Bohol (Aureo et al. 2020). One of the factors that could contribute to this finding was the sampling effort and size of the forest areas, which highlights the importance of establishing sufficient number of sampling plots as suggested by the species accumulation curve (Fig. 6). ...
Mt. Bandila-an Forest Reserve (MBFR) is among the remaining areas with patches of closed forests in Siquijor. This forest reserve is one of the potential key biodiversity areas in Central Visayas, yet the vegetation is not fully documented. This study was conducted to determine the species composition and diversity of plant species. Eight randomly distributed nested plots, each with a dimension of 20m×100m and subdivided to 5 equal segments of 20m×20m, were established. A total of 188 plant species was recorded from the plots, representing 131 tree species, 23 shrub, 14 vine, 11 herb, and 9 fern species. Common plant families with more than 6 representative species were Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Araceae, Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae and Myrtaceae. There were 19 threatened (vulnerable to critically endangered) and 33 endemic species recorded in the forest reserve highlighting the importance to further conserve the area. The cluster analysis and species accumulation curve suggest that plant species are not homogeneously distributed which implies that different management and conservation strategies should be implemented across MBFR. These results not only indicate the importance of MBFR, but also highlight areas with higher diversity and concentration of threatened and endemic species as a special area of concern. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2023, 9(1): 13-28
... Several studies also found the active role of latitudes rather than altitudes for diversity peaks in several taxa. Tree species showed higher peak of diversity around 800-1200 m asl in Korea (Lee and Chun 2016), Philippines (Aureo et al. 2021), Eastern Himalayas (Saikia et al. 2017Sun et al. 2020), Crete, Greece (Lazarina et al. 2019). It was not justified for tree species in another region of world as described by Lai and Feng (2019) for Nepal Himalayas, Oommen and Shanker (2005), Chawla et al. (2008) and Thakur et al. (2021) for western Himalayas. ...
Studies on species richness patterns along elevation gradients are fascinating and gaining attention. We compiled data from 118 studies of elevational gradients in a broad range of organisms of plant species throughout the world between 2001 and 2021 to estimate the patterns of species richness and their determinants. The present study showed that more than half (57%) of studies had found unimodal hump-shaped richness patterns (maximum diversity at the middle and lower edges), followed by a monotonic decline (26%), in different taxa of the plant. Nearly one-fifth of studies (17.5%) followed either monotonic incline, reverse hump-shaped, or non-distinct patterns. A more uniform model as a unimodal hump shape was present in extensive studies in mountainous regions. Despite the latitudinal and elevational variation, both hemispheres showed similar patterns of species richness for all plant taxa. Some taxa showed bimodality, and some others showed multi-model patterns of elevation-species richness patterns with peak diversity due to topographical and climatic factors. Upper and lower elevational ranges may provide temperature and rainfall extremes, reducing species diversity. The mid-domain effect may explain this species richness pattern. However, the current study confirmed the presence of a hump-shaped species richness pattern as a result of the size of the midpoint elevation or elevation range considered for an individual species. The higher the midpoint value, the longer the elevation range that favors a unimodal pattern. Due to inclusion of limited number of species, universal pattern of species richness along elevational gradient and their determinants could not be anticipated. We need more succinct and regional researches focusing specific taxa and delimiting factors.
... Aureo et al. [23] emphasized the importance of understanding biogeographical patterns, species richness variations, and endemic trends in elevationally diverse areas for effective conservation strategies. By comprehending these patterns, conservation efforts can be targeted towards protecting and managing areas of high species richness and endemism. ...
... The process of vegetation analysis, including the assessment of tree diversity, computation of diversity indices, identification of tree species, determination of conservation status, and evaluation of species endemism, in this comprehensive discussion. The methods and references cited are based on the research of Coracero and Malabrigo [4], Aureo et al. [23], and Lillo et al. [34], as well as the use of various botanical resources. The data collected for the study were utilized for vegetation analysis, specifically focusing on tree species. ...
... The importance value was computed as the cumulative value of relative density, relative frequency, and relative dominance combined into a single metric [23]. This metric provides a comprehensive assessment of the significance of each species within the ecosystem. ...
Forest plays a crucial role in providing essential ecosystem services, including water supply, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to assess the current state of the forest in Barangay Nambalan, Mayantoc, Tarlac. The specific objectives were to identify tree species in the area and determine the tree diversity index, with a focus on endemism and conservation status. Two transect lines, each spanning one kilometer, were established and a total of 10 sampling quadrats were surveyed. Ecological parameters (relative frequency, relative density, relative dominance, and importance value index) and diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner index, Simpson’s index) were computed using the Paleontological Statistic Software Package for Educational Analysis (PAST 4.03). A comprehensive inventory revealed a total of 756 individuals representing 52 species, 46 genera, and 25 families. Among the recorded species, 10 (17.2%) were endemic and 11 (21.6%) were classified as threatened. The Fabaceae (20.8%), Moraceae (14.6%), and Euphorbiaceae (8.3%) were identified as the most abundant families. The computed diversity indices indicated that Barangay Nambalan retains a diverse forest cover; however, species composition was found to be relatively low. Based on the finding, this study recommends the strict enforcement of protective measures and legislation to mitigate further degradation of the remaining forest in Barangay Nambalan.
... Aureo et al. [23] emphasized the importance of understanding biogeographical patterns, species richness variations, and endemic trends in elevationally diverse areas for effective conservation strategies. By comprehending these patterns, conservation efforts can be targeted towards protecting and managing areas of high species richness and endemism. ...
... The process of vegetation analysis, including the assessment of tree diversity, computation of diversity indices, identification of tree species, determination of conservation status, and evaluation of species endemism, in this comprehensive discussion. The methods and references cited are based on the research of Coracero and Malabrigo [4], Aureo et al. [23], and Lillo et al. [34], as well as the use of various botanical resources. The data collected for the study were utilized for vegetation analysis, specifically focusing on tree species. ...
... The importance value was computed as the cumulative value of relative density, relative frequency, and relative dominance combined into a single metric [23]. This metric provides a comprehensive assessment of the significance of each species within the ecosystem. ...
Forest plays a crucial role in providing essential ecosystem services, including water supply, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to assess the current state of the forest in Barangay Nambalan, Mayan-toc, Tarlac. The specific objectives were to identify tree species in the area and determine the tree diversity index, with a focus on endemism and conservation status. Two transect lines, each spanning one kilometer, were established and a total of 10 sampling quadrats were surveyed. Ecological parameters (relative frequency, relative density, relative dominance, and importance value index) and diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner index, Simpson's index) were computed using the Paleontological Statistic Software Package for Educational Analysis (PAST 4.03). A comprehensive inventory revealed a total of 756 individuals representing 52 species, 46 genera, and 25 families. Among the recorded species, 10 (17.2%) were endemic and 11 (21.6%) were classified as threatened. The Fabaceae (20.8%), Moraceae (14.6%), and Euphorbiaceae (8.3%) were identified as the most abundant families. The computed diversity indices indicated that Barangay Nambalan retains a diverse forest cover; however, species composition was found to be relatively low. Based on the finding, this study recommends the strict enforcement of protective measures and legislation to mitigate further degradation of the remaining forest in Ba-rangay Nambalan.
Villanueva ELC, Obeña RDR, Origenes MG, Buot IE Jr. 2022. Vegetation structure of forests over limestone and its influencing environmental factors in Samar Island Natural Park, Philippines. Biodiversitas 23: 6492-6512. Samar Island National Park (SINP) forests over limestone, a nominee to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List, needs a comprehensive study of its vegetation structure as the baseline for monitoring and effective conservation. Thus, an inventory was conducted in SINP inland forests over limestone with the following objectives: 1) to discuss the woody vegetation structure in the forests of SINP, and 2), to determine the environmental factors affecting the characteristic physiognomy and ecology of Paranas and Taft forests. Standard vegetation techniques in a total of eighteen 20m x 20m plots, classification and ordination analyses were conducted. A total of 3,578 tree individuals in 72 species, under 46 genera belonging to 35 families, were recorded from Paranas and Taft. Cluster analysis revealed 3 vegetation clusters named after the dominant species: 1) Shorea-Manilkara-Walaceodendron Cluster, 2) Shorea and Dracaena Cluster, and 3) Shorea-Manilkara-Hancea Cluster. Canonical correspondence analysis identified temperature as the most important environmental variable influencing the vegetation of SINP. Other environmental variables, despite their high rate of change and little effect on other species, may have multiple effects and indirect influences on other factors influencing the structure of vegetation in SINP. Thus, the development of appropriate conservation strategies is a must.
