Plant species composition, distribution and diversity of Saug Watershed [Davao del Norte and Campostella Valley Province, Philippines]

Date

2023

Abstract

Floristic composition and diversity was assessed in Saug Watershed in Davao del Norte and Campostela Valley Province by establishing a two-hectare biodiversity plot in Purok 6, Sitio San Roque, Barangay [village] New Cortez, New Corella, Davao del Norte. The plot measured 100 m x 200 m and was subdivided into five strata to determine the species diversity at various slope classes. Stratum 1 was located at bottom slope while Stratum 5 at the top most slopes. There were total of 50 subplots of 20 m x 20 m (10 subplots per stratum) intended for assessment of overstorey species having a dbh of greater than or equal to 10 cm, inside the 20 m x 20 m plots are smaller subplots measuring 10 x 10 for assessment of understorey vegetation and 1 m x 1 m nested plots for regeneration species, palms, ferns, herbs, vines and lianas. Floristic composition covers 110 species collected from 83 genera and 43 families including trees, shurbs, palms, ferns, herbs, vines, lianas and grasses. The families Moracaea and Euphorbiceae comprised the highest number of plants species with 11 species each. For ferns and palms, there were seven species identified belong which to Arecaceaea and Flagellariacae. Herbs were also identified, which belong to the family of Compositae, Maranthaceae, Musaceae and Uticaceae. Vines and grass observed were also recorded and counted. Overstorey vegetation has a total of 475 individuals from 30 families and 54 different species, eight species of which belonged to Moraceae family, Euphorbiceaece (4), and Dipterocarpaceae (4). Shannon diversity index is 0.67, which is very low with very low evenness of species. Understory vegetation has high population density, which is attributed to the high population density of invasive alien species. Poleverde (Piper aduncum) with a total of 444 and followed by pioneering species from Euphorbiaceae family, Balanti Homalanthus paniculatus) with 423. Assessment also showed that the locally known as Balobo has a total of 53 individuals. Among the five strata, one to four showed more or less similar index of diversity which ranges between 0.89 to 0.99, slope and elevation in these four strata showed no high variation, while Stratum 5 got the lowest diversity index. Results of regeneration showed that the highest diversity index was located in Stratum 2 at 0.83, followed by Stratum 1 with 0.81 then followed by Stratum 5 with 0.52, and then Stratum 3 with .46 while Stratum 4 has the lowest diversity at 0.42. Assessment of regeneration of species showed the highest diversity index was observed in Stratum 2 at 0.42.

Book Title

National Research and Development Project for Watershed Management Saug Watershed in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley Province [Philippines]

Contributor

Cruz, R.V.O.Uddin, A.S.Maningas, R.C.Victoria, C.D.Salting, A.A.A.

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BIODIVERSITY; FLORA; GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION; BOTANICAL COMPOSITION; RESOURCE CONSERVATION; PLANT RESOURCES; WATERSHEDS; PHILIPPINES

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