Plant diversity and aboveground carbon stock along altitudinal gradients in Quezon Mountain Range in Southern Mindanao, Philippines

Issue Date

6-2013

Abstract

Plant diversity aboveground biomass, and carbon stock along portions of Quezon Mountain Range were assessed in three elevation gradients, e.g. low (400-799 m a.s.l.), middle (800-1,199 m a.s.l.), and high (1,200-1,600 m a.s.l.) in Sourthern Mindanao using quadrat sampling technique. A total of 146 plant species were identified including threatened Shorea contorta, Parashorea malaanonan, Dillenia philipinesis, Alstonia macrophylla, Cinammomum mercadoi, Palaquim luzoniense , Neolistsea vidalii, Dacrycarpus elatumi, and Dacrycarpus imbricatus. On the average, low diversity was recorded in all gradients particularly in low and middle elevation ranges where alteration of vegetation cover, and proliferation of bio-invasive Piper aduncum were observe. Biomass and carbon stock were largest in high elevation where the inaccessible old growth forest is located compared to a proposed mine site in low and middle elevation that are predominated by grassland, farmlands, disturbed secondary growth forest, and human settlements. Overall, carbon stocks ranged from 33.8 to 192.0 MgC ha suggesting the good potential of the area to mitigate climate change. Sustainable management of biodiversity and carbon stock is needed by apportioning productive and protective zones in the mountain.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Environmental Science and Management

ISSN

0119-1144

Volume

16

Issue

1

Document Type

Article

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Physical Description

Illustration; graph; map; table

Language

English

Subject

Plant diversity

En – AGROVOC descriptors

FOREST TREES; SPECIES; IDENTIFICATION; BIODIVERSITY; BIOMASS; CARBON; ALTITUDE; HIGHLANDS; SLOPING LAND; PHILIPPINES

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