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

Abstract

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.

Diversity of trees and structure of forest habitat types in Mt. Tago Range, Mindanao, Philippines

“…Ficus L. is reported herein as the most abundant genus, observed mostly in the disturbed patches. This finding is similar to the findings of Polinar & Muuss (2010) in the secondary forest of Mount Pangasugan, Leyte; Zapanta et al (2019), Gregorio et al (2009) and Madulid (2000). The abundance of this genus is attributed to different species being able to thrive in a wide range of altitudinal gradient and by being dispersed by many birds and bats (Gregorio et al, 2009).…”

“…The reported number of threatened species herein, is relatively few compared to the reported threatened trees in Mt. Apo (n=19) (Zapanta et al, 2019) and in the forest fragment in Cavite, Luzon (n=39) (Causaren et al, 2017).…”

“…Moraceae, Lauraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Myrtaceae were also observed to be the most abundant taxa in the disturbed habitats of Mt. Apo Natural Park (Zapanta et al, 2019); rubber plantation in Makilala, Cotabato (Gregorio et al, 2009) and in Samar, Philippines (Madulid, 2000). Ficus L. is reported herein as the most abundant genus, observed mostly in the disturbed patches.…”

“…Apo which has 136 species (Zapanta et al, 2019) and Mt. Hamiguitan expansion sites with 124 species of trees and shrubs (Amoroso et al, 2018).…”

Tree Species Diversity and Stand Structure in Selected Forest Patches of Marilog Forest Reserve, Southern Philippines

“…Malindang and Mt. Hamiguitan (Amoroso et al, 2009;Zapanta et al, 2019) and also in Balinsasayao, Sibulan, Negros Oriental (Amoroso et al, 2017). (Kessler et al, 2011).…”