Abstract. Pototan BL, Capin NC, Delima AG, Novero AU. 2021. Assessment of mangrove species diversity in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Biodiversitas 22: 144-153. This study determined mangrove species diversity and community structure in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Ten 150m long transects plots were laid out perpendicular through the mangrove forests yielding 30 plots and total sampled area of 3, 000 m2. Individual trees within plots were counted, identified and measured for diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree height. For diversity analysis, Shannon-Weiner Index of Diversity (H’), Pielou’s Index of Evenness (J), Simpson’s Index of Dominance (C), and Effective Number of Species (ENS) were used. Results showed a total of 33 species belonging to 14 families, 31 of which are true mangroves and two associates. Two threatened species, the endangered Camptostemon philippinensis and vulnerable Avicennia rumphiana, and three near-threatened species were recorded. Diversity analysis showed a high diversity index (H’=3.145; ENS=23) and high species evenness (J=0.85) but low dominance (C=0.05). Sonneratia alba attained the greatest importance value (IV=59.79%) due to high relative density, relative frequency, and relative dominance. Also, Rhizophoraceae is the most represented among 14 families. Hence, Banaybanay being highly diverse with the presence of threatened and near-threatened mangrove species calls for immediate protection and conservation measures because of increasing anthropogenic activities and environmental problems observed in the area.

In the Philippines, indigenous vegetables like ‘alugbati’ (Basella alba L.) can be utilized to address micronutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin A deficiency (VAD). This study aimed to develop fresh egg noodles with higher vitamin A content through the utilization of ‘alugbati’ leaves powder. Powder from ‘alugbati’ leaves was produced through dehydration of fully expanded leaves. The resultant powder was used to create three formulations of fresh egg noodles at 10%, 15%, and 20% substitution levels, with 100% wheat flour serving as the control. All formulations and the control were subjected to a water disintegration test and preference ranking test. The most preferred formulation was further evaluated for proximate composition, total carotenoid content (TCC), color, physical characteristics, and consumer acceptability. Data from triplicate experiments were statistically analyzed (p ≤ 0.05). Results showed that all samples were resistant to water disintegration (20 min in boiling water) and egg noodle with 15% substitution level was the most preferred. This sample had significantly higher ash (2.27 ± 0.28), fiber (1.77 ± 0.38), and protein (11.50 ± 0.11) contents than the control. A significantly higher TCC (1550 µg/g) compared to the control (610 µg/g) also signified that substituting with ‘alugbati’ leaves powder increased the vitamin A content of the noodles. From this, consuming 5–10 g of ‘alugbati’ egg noodles will be able to provide the vitamin A requirement of 400–800 µg retinol equivalent (RE). The egg noodles with a 15% substitution level also had a significantly darker green color and significantly lower elasticity. Moreover, this formulation was generally acceptable with mean Hedonic scores ranging from 7.20 (Like Moderately) to 7.80 (Like Very Much). This study demonstrated that fresh egg noodles with ‘alugbati’ leaves powder can be a good source of vitamin A. Clinical studies should be conducted to determine the role of the product in alleviating VAD especially in children and pregnant women.

Abstract. Zapanta BR, Achondo MJMM, Raganas AFM, Camino FA, Delima, AGD, Mantiquilla JA, Puentespina, RP, Salvaña FRP. 2019. Species richness of trees in disturbed habitats within a protected area and its implications for conservation: The case of Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Biodiversitas 20: 2081-2091. In order to improve forest management, it is fundamental to develop baseline information on species distribution i.e., richness and presence of endemic and threatened species in varying conditions of environmental degradation. In the Philippines, there is a growing number of studies which provided important information on pristine habitats (e.g. primary forest), however, there is a scarcity of studies on disturbed habitats. Here, we present baseline information on the tree species diversity in disturbed habitats like those portions converted to agricultural lands planted with fruit trees and other commercial crops within Mt. Apo National Park. A total of 139 tree species including a single gymnosperm was identified within the study sites. Of the species identified, the dominant families included Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Arecaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, and Verbenaceae. Nineteen species were considered endemic including the Mindanao endemic, Lindera apoensis. Within this number, 47% are considered threatened on their range and four species viz. Parashorea malaanonan, Shorea contorta, and Shorea negrosensis are Critically Endangered with decreasing population records. The results of this current study suggest that disturbed habitats in Mt. Apo Natural Park still harbor endemic and threatened species, which are ecologically and economically important. Establishing a list of tree species in the area provides important information needed for the restoration of some disturbed areas which are abandoned by locals. The presence of endemic and threatened species also indicates that conservation, protection, and forest management efforts should be extended and allocated towards disturbed areas in the national park.

Seagrasses are an important coastal resource that serves as homes and breeding grounds of fishes and other marine organisms and are useful indicators for the detection of changes in the coastal environment since they are vulnerable to bio-physical stressors. This study assessed the seagrass resources in terms of composition, percent cover, community similarity, and diversity in four municipalities (Banaybanay, Governor Generoso, Lupon, and San Isidro) situated in the southwest coast of Davao Oriental province facing Davao Gulf. Thirty-six (36) transects, each with ten quadrats arranged in an alternate manner, were laid perpendicular to shore yielding a total of 360 plots. A total of eight seagrass species were observed: Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila minor, Halophila ovalis, Halophila spinulosa, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Thalassia hemprichii. Governor Generoso (33.77%) and San Isidro (26.01%) were classified to have fair seagrass bed conditions while Banaybanay (24.31%) and Lupon with the lowest coverage (15.90%) had poor status. T. hemprichii dominated the seagrass community in Banaybanay and Governor Generoso while C. rotundata were dominant in Lupon and San Isidro. The two most abundant species, T. hemprichii (41%) and C. rotundata (34.48%), had fair coverage comprising 75% of the entire seagrass while the remaining 25% cover was shared by Enhalus acoroides (19%) and other five species with very poor cover (0.30–2.43%). Diversity analysis using percent cover data revealed low diversity with overall Shannon index, H’= 1.2955, evenness J = 0.6657, and Simpson’s index of diversity, D = 0.3577. Dice community of coefficient grouped Banaybanay, Governor Generoso, and San Isidro together, indicating high similarities while separating Lupon, which had the poorest seagrass condition in terms of coverage. The status of seagrass diversity on the southwest coast of Davao Oriental calls for immediate attention and effective strategies to alleviate poor conditions and protect the seagrass beds

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