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Anatolio N. Polinar
Abstract
An assessment was conducted in barangay Inapolangan, Guiaun, Eastern Samar to determine its floral
diversity. Baseline point in every site was first established prior to the plot lay-outing. Sampling plots
measuring 20 x 20 meters was preferentially selected and established in four (4) selected sites. From the
baseline plot, a variable number of plots were systematically established upstream at a plot distance of
200 meters.
Of all sites being evaluated site 4 was recorded having the most number of species. A total of 104
plant/tree species in 71 genera and 46 families had been identified and recorded. This was followed by
site 3 having 95 species in 69 genera and 44 families. Site 2 got the lowest number of species (48)
compared to site 1 (50). Mancono that belongs to the family of Myrtaceae with genus Syzygium was
found as the most abundant and frequently encountered species. This was followed by the species of
kolipapa, lipakon, pagoringon, bitanghol, mamalis, sagimsim, bantolinao, salago, pagoringon, laniteng
gubat, pagsahingin and batino. The other highly represented families in Site 4 were moraceae, fabaceae,
euphorbiaceae, ebenaceae, lammiaceae and malvaceae. In site 3, the families of Dipterocarpaceae 5
species) were recorded having the number of species. The families of malvaceae and myrtaceae were also
found to associate with the dominant family. As to species level, it was found that premium and
mangrove trees were also present in barangay Inapolangan. The most common premium trees were lanite,
kamagong, sudiang, tindalo and mancono. For mangrove trees; the species of busain, bakauan lalaki,
bakauan babae, pagatpat and tabigue were also recognized in the area.
The species diversity value ranged from 3.0125 to 3.6885. Site 3 got the highest diversity value of
3.6885. This was followed by site 4 and site 1 with diversity value of 3.5705 and 3.3660, respectively.
The lowest diversity index value (3.0125) was observed in site 2. It implies that Site 3 shows a
community which is more stable compared to site 1 and site 2 but slightly similar in terms of stability to
site 4 (3.5705) . As to species similary index, results reveal that both site 3 and 4 had a species similarity
index of 0.407 which indicates that these two habitats share only 41% of their species composition.
Distance between the study areas, similarity of climatic and edaphic factors played significant influence
in species composition. Human activities were also observed and could possibly be remedied by public
education and strict implementation of DENR policies, laws and regulations.
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Introduction
Forest is one among the most important biome on earth. It is considered as the most floristically diverse
habitat and a refuge of a diversity of life form. The presence of any other types of life form contributed
much to the stability of the forest. Each played different roles and contribution to species richness and
diversity. In the Philippines, forest is composed of at least 13,500 species which represent five percent of
the worlds flora. It is estimated that flowering plants is in between 8,000 and 12,000 species comprising
200 families and 1,500 genera; 20 % of which is unknown while 27% to 75 % is endemic (Sajise, 1997;
PAWB,1998). Of all life forms, trees are considered as the most important in a forest community. It
contains about 8,120+ species of angiosperms and 32 gymnosperms (PAWB, 1998) of which more than
half (5,832) of the species are endemic (IUCN, 2000). Among the tree families, the family of
dipterocarpaceae accounts for 66%. Other families like anacardiaceae, ebenaceae, verbenaceae and
fabaceae are some examples of tree families comprising the countrys premium trees and constitute the
remaining species proportion.
At the end of the 18th century, the countrys forest ecosystem had experienced a tremendous decline in
forest cover and species population. The forest priceless contribution in providing the humans basic
necessity in some areas in the country is decreasing brought about by destructive intervention by a few
individuals. Some areas were heavily depleted with trees of the commercial value while in some area are
occupied by secondary and remaining untouched forest vegetation. Secondary forests are expanding from
time to time as forest continues to be intensively logged and converted into agricultural farms, grasslands
and other land uses mainly through human intervention. If not properly addressed a greater possibility that
it may result to lesser biotic interactions within the ecosystem and a shortage of forest services (e.g.
timber, water, etc) considered vital for the existence of humanity on earth.
Informations as to the kind of species thriving in a disturbed landscape like secondary forest, grasslands,
reforestation and mining sites and its vicinities remained unknown and undocumented. Knowing the
species of trees present in these areas is an important consideration in forest landscape restoration and
conservation efforts as this will provide future sources of regeneration and viable planting materials. The
conduct of baseline assessment particularly in barangay Inapolangan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern
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Samar is important for the preservation and / or conservation of biodiversity in the area. Hence, this
assessment was conducted.
Generally, the assessment aimed to document the species of trees/shrubs/palms present in the mountain
range of barangay Inapolangan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
1. Describe the trees/plant species diversity, species composition and similarity index in different
sites;
2. Determine the most abundant and frequently occurring tree/plant species; and
3. Identify factors affecting plant diversity in the area.
Methodology
Site description
0 0
Homonhon is geographically located in latitude and longitude of 10 4419 and 125 435.03,
respectively. The average elevation of the island is 53 meters above sea level and the topography is
considerably flat to slightly rolling. The island climate is type 2 characterized as having no dry season
with maximum rainfall in November to January. Grassland soil is slightly acidic, higher bulk density and
low in nutrient contents. Good forest cover was found in some barangays far from the mining sites
inhabited by diversified tree species of approximately 5 20 cms dbh with few bigger trees. Snags (dead
trees) were found very visible in the mountain range of the island.
The research site is located in barangay Inapolangan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Four (4)
sites were purposively identified and selected for the assessment namely: Iraya, Logad, Pamonakan and
Miligis biges River. The selected site consists of forest and river /stream networks. The sites are
approximately 200 meters- 300 meters away from each other. These sites is represented by forest
dominated by pioneer species mixed with premium hardwoods with few species from dipterocarp and
mangrove families that runs from the downstream (seaside) to the upstream area of the landscape. A
baseline square plot measuring 20 x 20 meters having an area of 400 m2 (Aamlid, et. al., 2002) were
established in each site. From the baseline plot, succeeding square plots were systematically established
upstream at a plot distance of 200 meters until the last plot reaches the foothills of the secondary natural
forest.
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Data collection
The abundance and frequency of plants/trees in each plot per site regardless of height and diameter were
identified, counted and recorded for diversity analysis. In cases where specimen could not be identified,
sample specimens of good quality were collected for herbarium purposes. The herbariums were referred
and compared to illustrations in any taxonomy books and specimens in the herbarium room to identify its
nomenclature.
The data collected from the field assessment were classified, tabulated and analyzed in accordance with
the objectives of the assessment. Descriptive statistical tools that include frequency counts, average, totals
and percentage were used in presenting the diversity of trees.
For diversity, Shannon-Weiner Index (Whittaker, 1975; Magurran, 1988) was used in determining the
level of diversity between sites. Such values shows how even are the spread between species comprising
the diversity. Three (3) indicators were used to describe the extent of diversity in the area as shown
below:
Likewise, Jaccard Index (Magurran, 1988) was used to find out the level of similarity among species
within sites. This was computed using the formula as indicated below:
Cj = j/ (a+b j)
Where:
Cj = index of similarity
J = number of species common to both sites
a= number of species in site A
b= number of species in site B
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Table 1 shows the species composition of tree/plant species per site. Result reveals that site 4 had the
greatest number of families (46), genus (71) and species (104) compared to the other sites. This was
followed by site 3 having 95 species of trees/plants, in 69 genera and 44 families. Mancono belonging to
the family of Myrtaceae with genus Syzygium was recorded having the most abundant and frequently
encountered tree species in all sites (Plate #1). It was also observed that mancono were found not only
within the assessed sites but also throughout the island of homonhon regardless of site conditions. The
other highly represented families in Site 4 were clusiaceae, ebenaceae, euphorbiaceae, fabaceae, moraceae
and malvaceae. Likewise, in site 3 the families of dipterocarpaceae (5 species) and malvaceae were also
found to associate with the dominant family. As to species level, it was found that premium hardwoods
and dipterocarp trees to include saplongan, yakal, yakal kaliot, red lauan and gisok-gisok were also
present in the sites (Plate # 2). The most common premium trees present in the area includes the species
of lanete, kamagong, tindalo, sudiang and mancono. For mangrove trees; the species of bakauan lalaki,
bakauan babae, tinduk-tindukan, pagatpat, busain and tabigue were also present (Appendix table 1 and 5).
Grasses were also found in all sites. Agsam, cogon, talahib and tikog were recorded as the most dominant
grass and pandan vegetation species in nearby grassland/brushland areas in the barangay (Plate # 3).
Results further reveal the floristic differences in taxonomic composition of species between sites. There
were less species in Site 3,1 and 2 than in Site 4. All sites are dominated by light demanding pioneer tree
species. They grow from seeds after a gap had been created and not from the existing wildlings. One
major reason for this scenario might be the continued influence of anthropogenic factors on the
distribution and composition of this ecosystem. All sites are readily accessible for utilization by the
human population considering its distance to the community. In effect, intense removal of valuable trees
to include Dipterocarps and other premium trees was done previously either by legal or illegal means.
This supports the notion that once valuable trees have been removed from the ecosystem, younger as well
as older specimens of the logged species are often scarce (Longman, et al., 1987). Seeds of trees are no
longer available for natural regeneration resulting to a change in the floristic composition and structure of
the species which is somewhat different from that of the original vegetation.
ABUNDANCE
Site
Families Genera Species
1 32 46 50
2 34 45 48
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3 44 69 95
4 46 71 104
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represented by a single stem. This further indicates that the site is undergoing several changes in species
composition as influenced by any form of anthropogenic and atmospheric disturbances. Species diversity
was low in the early stages of the plant succession but may increase suddenly and subsequently declined
and remained more or less steady at a slightly higher level than it was found initially.
Similarity Index
of Tree Species between sites
Platecan
Species composition # 4.also
Forest vegetationusing
be compared present in site 4index.
similarity (Miligis
Thebiges river)
Jaccard similarity index tells us to
what percent the two habitats are similar in terms of species. Results reveal that both site 3 and 4 had a
species similarity index of 0.407 which indicates that these two habitats share only 41% of their species
composition (Table 3 and appendix table 6). The lowest similarity index was observed between site 1 and
4. The distance between sites and similarity of climatic / edaphic factors played significant influence in
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the sites species composition. Human activities were also observed and could possibly affect the richness
of species in the area particularly the species having the greatest commercial value (Plate # 5 and 6).
SITES
Sites
1 2 3 4
1 - 0.333 0.318 0.222
2 - - 0.267 0.333
3 - - 0.407
4 - - - -
Based on observation during the data collection a number of factors have contributed to the decrease in
plant diversity in the area as indicated below:
Recommendations
1. Implementation of existing forestry laws and regulations to minimize the cutting and collection of
forest products should be enhanced;
2. Continued the conduct of public education to the community residents about the importance of
forest conservation and preservation;
3. Protection of existing premium hardwood, dipterocarp and other valuable tree species as future
sources of planting materials in forest restoration should be conducted;
4. Inventory of natural forest including other types of life forms located at the upper part of the
barangay is highly recommended;
5. Inventory of tree/plant species domesticated by residents is also recommended; and
6. Implement assisted natural regeneration (ANR) in all sites using a combination of desirable
Dipterocarps and lesser known species with potential commercial value to increase species
composition and diversity.
References:
Aamlid, D. et.al., 2002. Assessment of Ground Vegetation: A manual on method and criteria for
harmonized sampling, assessment, monitoring and analysis of the effects of air pollution on forests, pp. 1-
19.
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Darwin data base, 1998. Report on Economically important plants of Leyte, Western Samar and Bohol.
Department of Forestry, Visayas State College of Agriculture, Baybay, Leyte, 6521-A, Philippines, pp.
112.
Fernando, E.S. et al., 1994. Field Checklist of Species in Dendrology. Department of Biological
Sciences, College of Forestry, University of the Philippines at Los Banos College, 4031 Laguna,
Philippines,pp.17.
International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 2000. Biodiversity Hotspots-Philippines, pp. 3.
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/Philippines
Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, 1998. The first Philippine National report to the Convention on
Biological Diversity, pp.3.
Polinar, A.N. 2001. List of Laboratory Species in Dendrology. Department of Forestry, Visayas State
College of agriculture, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines, pp.11.
Polinar, A.N. 2004. Diversity and Structure of Tree Species in Leyte State University (LSU) Forest
Reservation, Philippines. Unpublished Master thesis, LSU, Visca, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines, pp. 73.
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Plate # 5. Tree stem cut and converted to post for local utilization
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Note: Unidentified or species known only by its local name were not included in the computation for diversity and species
composition
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Note: Unidentified or species known only by its local name were not included in the computation for diversity and
species composition
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Note: Unidentified or species known only by its local name were not included in the computation for diversity and
species composition
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Appendix table # 4. List of tree/plant species found in site 4 (Miligis biges river).
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Note: Unidentified or species known only by its local name were not included in the computation for
diversity and species composition
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Appendix Table # 5. List of tree / plant species found in Site 5 (Manto-onan Island)
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Note: Species indicated above were not included in the computation for diversity and species
composition in the four sites located in barangay Inapolangan .
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