Permanent Biodiversity Monitoring Areas (PBMA) for their conservation and sustainable management and critical mountains to support food security and climate change

Date

2023

Abstract

Climate change brings multiple challenges in biodiversity and agricultural resources that would have adverse effects on national food security-a challenge that through the years has remained insolvable. This study aims to contribute in addressing food security agenda in the Philippines through sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity resources from critical mountain ecosystems as affected by climate change. A standard two-hectare permanent biodiversity monitoring area (PBMA) was established inside Makiling Forest Reserve. Results of the intensive study revealed that the PBMA holds tremendous floral, faunal and fungal diversity. It also showed very high species endemism and harbors variety of potential food source. A total of 8,806 tree individuals with DBH greater than or equal to 1 cm were recorded. It harbors 155 tree species belonging to 103 genera and 55 families. The most abundant species in Magabuyo (Celtis luzonica) with 2,287 (26%) individuals. For fauna, a total of 34 species of wildlife consisting of 21 species of birds in 18 families, six species of reptiles representing 4 families, two species of mammals (one rodent and one shrew), and four species of forest frog in 2 families. Among these, only one species, the Malay Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator), is considered as threatened under CITES List monitoring plots (10 x 10m). A total of 37 genera of fungi with 51 species identified. The species Coprinus plicatilis/Parasola plicatilis has the highest number of individuals per species (872) and the highest density among the species (32/2700 m sup 2). Twenty five of 155 tree species and one canopy plant (ant plant) were found potential food sources. Most abundant food sources include Magabuyo (Celtis luzonica); Malasaging (Aglaia edulis); Katmon (Dillenia philippinensis); Kapulasan (Nephelium rambutan-ake); Kape (Coffea arabica); and Ant Plant (Myrmecodia tuberosa). For the analysis of the properties of possible food sources, Balukanag (Chisocheton cumingianus subsp. cuminggianus) with an average diameter of 60.94 mm with a green weight of 457.62g has the biggest diameter and also the heaviest. The plot also provided the baseline on phenology, pollinators and dispersal agents of its diverse floral component. The research also did a pioneering work on canopy plant survey showing new records of canopy plants.

Language

English

Document Type

Article

Pages /Collation

54 leaves

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BIODIVERSITY; RESOURCE CONSERVATION; AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES; FOOD SECURITY; FOREST RESERVES; FAUNA; FUNGI; NEPHELIUM; COFFEA ARABICA; HIGHLANDS; CLIMATIC CHANGE

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