Diversity and Aboveground Carbon Stocks of Trees and Understorey Plant Species in Matalom, Leyte, Philippines

Abstract

The biggest threats to plant species degradation must be the cutting of trees, conversion into croplands, and natural circumstances. Degradation of land cover has negatively affected plant diversity before the carbon stocks. This study utilized a stratified random sampling technique and allometric equation to determine the plant species, diversity level, and aboveground carbon stocks of trees and understorey found in Matalom, Leyte, Philippines. Results showed thirteen (13) trees and forty-nine (49) understorey species were present in the sampling area. The abundance of species or the total number of individuals per species of trees and understorey is 98 and 2814 respectively. For the diversity index, the result was led by tree species, then understorey species, respectively 1.76, interpreted as very low, and 2.83, which is moderate based on the Modified Fernando Biodiversity Scale. The species evenness, 0.69 and 0.73, was led by understorey plant species. Both signify unequal distribution of plant species in the study area. Moreover, tree species have a higher carbon stock of 34.15 t C haˉ¹ compared to understorey, contributing about 0.03 t C haˉ¹. There are significant differences in the diversity and c-stocks between trees and understorey plant species based on independent t-test results.