Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01 ambient SCIENCE Vol. 7(1): 11-18 Year 2020

AMBIENT APPRAISAL Floristic Diversity of the Biodiversity Monitoring Plots and its EnvironswithinAgataMiningVentures, Inc.,Tubay,Agusandel Norte, Abstract Roger T. Sarmiento Woody are key components of the forest College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Caraga State ecosystem and are responsible for forest architecture and University, Ampayon, Butuan City, Caraga Region, the overall composition of forest communities. On the Philippines established permanent biodiversity monitoring plots StudyArea: Agusandel Norte, Philippines (PBMP) inside an approved mineral production sharing Coordinates: 8°57'N; 125°32'E agreement areas in Agusan del Norte, the species diversity and abundance of trees were assessed wherein a total of 123 Key words: Floral composition, Stand structure, individuals of 16 families, 28 genera, and 37 species were Nickel Mining, mine rehabilitation recorded. Transect walks were likewise done to list existing flora within MPSA and recorded a total of 251 species belonging to 80 families and 203 genera. The mineral lands of AMVI hold a tremendous diversity of species to include critically endangered Diospyros philippinensisand Camptostemon philippinense , among others. During re-assessment, it was observed that most of the monitoring plots progressed positively. At present, the biodiversity of these monitoring plots is under threat due to theanthropogenicand upcoming miningactivities.

Introduction: very crucial process, thus, appropriate knowledge on these The Philippines is one of the top mineralized countries in resources is vital. However, during mining activities where the world for gold, nickel, copper, and chromite (Quintans, mineral ores were extracted by means of the open-pit 2017; Kay, 2018). In the southern part of the country-the method, many biota having ecological and scientif ic Caraga Region, nickel mining has been a promising importancewerestilldisplaced (Sarmientoet al. , 2017). industry (Sarmiento & Demetillo, 2017) as 20 of the 48 Plant communities are the foundation for terrestrial registered metallic mines in the Philippines are found in trophic webs and animal habitats, and their structure and the region and engaged in nickel mining (DENR-MGB, species composition are a cumulative result of biological 2018). A number of these nickel mines were ordered shut and physical processes (Gates, 1993; Davis, 1981) that are down in early 2017 for several violations on environmental diff icult to measure directly. However, with the laws and resulted in the decline in nickel production establishment of permanent monitoring plots the worldwide. However,despite the issuanceof closureorders, biodiversity resources can be monitored and its variation some companies continued to operate business as usual. and function can be determined space-wise in time Of the few law-abiding mining corporations in the region, (Malabrigoet al ., 2016). For this study, the main objective Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. (AMVI) invested a substantial was to establish and maintain permanent biodiversity portion of its operational budget into research for crafting monitoring plots (PBMP) within the approved Mineral sound reforestation and rehabilitation plans. A good Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area of Agata management plan guarantee sustainable use of existing Mining Ventures, Inc. in the province of Agusan del Norte. natural resources such as soil, water, timber and Specif ically, it aimed to: i) determine the current biodiversity with the preparation and revision of this is a composition and diversity of trees inside the established

ISSN- 2348 5191 (Print) & 2348 8980 (Electronic) Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01 AMBIENT APPRAISAL monitoring plots; ii) gather information on the abundance other arborescent species, palms, herbaceous , vines and conservation status of the different species inside to include woody and non-woody, as well as ferns. Species monitoring plots; iii) generate a near-comprehensive listof Identif icationand Nomenclature: identif icationof species theexisting floralspecieswithintheapproved MPSAarea. was done on the f ield with the help of available literature. Some publications referring to the Philippine flora Methodology: included Merrill (1912), Santos et al. (1986), Zamora and Co Permanent biodiversity monitoring plots: permanent (1986), Madulid (2002), Primavera (2009) and online plant biodiversity monitoring plots (PBMP) are thedef ined areas identif ication website PhytoImages to study various life forms that are geographically located (www.phytoimages.siu.edu/) were also utilized to compare and permanently gridded with markers (Malabrigo et al., photographed species. Some unfamiliar species were 2016). The biodiversity resources inside PBMPs were posted online through a social media group Co’s Digital monitored in place and time to determine variations Flora of the Philippines (a public group of botanists, structurally and functionally. The establishment of PBMPs foresters, biologists and other plant enthusiasts) to will beverysignif icantformonitoring long-termecological conf irm species identif ication. The scientif ic research on biodiversity-functioning in relation to climate nomenclature and conservation status of species were change and rehabilitation programs of any industry. A total crosschecked in the databases of of twelve (12) plots were established within the approved (www.theplantlist.org) and The IUCN Redlist of Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area of ThreatenedSpecies(www.iucnredlist.org), respectively. Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. (AMVI). Four (4) plots were Data analysis: it was encoded on a spreadsheet and located inside the active mining sites while the rest were analyzed using thevegetationalanalysisformulaof density, outside but still within the approved MPSA area. The relative density, frequency, relative frequency, dominance, relative locationof the permanentplotswas recorded using relative dominance and the species importance value a handheld GPS receiver taken on the southern left corner (SIV). The SIV was computed as the sum of the relative and plotted inaGoogle Earth (Map). frequency, relative density and relative dominance of a The sites were selected on the basis of previously species in a community or forest (SIV = RFreq + RDom + conducted biodiversity surveys for AMVI. The comparison RDen). An SIV provides a better index than density alone of information gathered from different periods can give a regarding the importanceorfunctionof aspecies in habitat clearer picture of the dynamics of the ecosystem in time. and also gives rank or order for a particular species within The f irst f ieldwork was conducted on June 6-9, 2017 for a the community (Odum & Barret, 2005). Ecological series of activities such as i) the establishment of the parameters such as Simpson?s Index of Diversity (1-D), PBMPs, ii) the initial assessment of existing flora species Shannon-Wiener (H?) diversity index, and species inside the monitoring plots, and f inally iii) listing of other richness,ontheotherhand,werecomputed using the PAST flora species outside monitoring plots but within the Statistical Software. Fernando scale was used to know the approved MPSA area. The second f ieldwork was done on levelsof biodiversity. March 3-4, 2018 where the primary focus was to revisit and evaluate vegetation change and the diversity of species Resultsand Discussion: inside PBMPs. All tagged trees were assessed for General description of the area: the general ground presence/absence and other emerging tree species were formation inside active mining sites ranges from gently recordedand noted. rolling to undulating to steep slopes alongside higher grounds. Dominant ground vegetation usually composed VegetationSampling : the PBMPs were laid outwith 20m of dense formations of Bracken ferns (Pteridium x 20m dimensions. A GPS receiver was used to determine aquilinium), Pako ( Nephrolepis spp.), Nito ( Lygodium the coordinates of the plot using the southern left corner as flexuosum), Cogon grass ( Imperata cylindrica ) and other the reference point. All plants (trees in particular) inside associated ground species. The f irst plot (Plot-1) was the quadrat with DBHH >5 cm were measured and established on a small valley between two very steep slopes recorded. A fabricated aluminum tag bearing a numbered in Python Creek. The valley was made up of loose soil species code was then pinned on the visible section of the materials formed through deposition and sedimentation treeforidentif icationand monitoring. resulted from land conversion and massive mining Transect walks and walkthroughs were likewise done operations on the upper elevations. The area was to record other vascular plants outside PBMPs but within predominantly covered by ground vegetations whilst large the approved MPSA area to generate a near-comprehensive trees were also found forming sparse tree patches along listing of vascular species in the mineral areas of AMVI. habitually moist portions of the intermittent creek. Some Vascular plants are such plants that possess specialized largetreesobserved includeAntipolo( blancoi ), conducting tissues, particularly xylem and phloem to ( indica ), Dita ( scholaris ) and include all flowering plants and conifers such as trees and Narra (Pterocarpus indicus ). However, the general Ambient Science (2020) Vol.-07(1): p. 12 http://www.caves.res.in/ Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 AMBIENT APPRAISAL DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01 vegetation canopy was composed of young growths Three exotic species were also found inside the permanent typically still under the pole and sapling stage with <30cm plots and these were Mangium (A.mangium ), Coffe ( Coffea dbh and reaching only 6-8 ft in height. Plots-2 & 3 were arabica), and Falcata ( F.moluccana ). The genera of Ficus similarlycovered withdenseground vegetationof fernsand and Neonauclea have the most number of species present associated species. Plot-2 was located along E.morgado each having twospecies. creek alongside the sloping terrain where the company’s The study area was evidenced to fulf ill the composite settling pond was constructed. Unlike the f irst plot, only a Shannon Weiner diversity index (H’) of 3.10 which can be few tree species were found and mostly were planted for considered “High” based on the relative diversity scale reforestation purposes. Accordingly, Mangium (Acacia developed by Fernandoet al. (2009). Of all plots, Plot-1 has mangium) were planted to start initial rehabilitation the highest index value of 2.31 followed by Plot 12 with an programs of the company, however, closer examination of index value of 2.21 (Table-1). This can be attributed to the the trees shows noticeably inferior growth in height and number of different species equally present within a plot girth compared to its age. Plot-3, on the other hand, was with no single species being dominant. Plot-3, on the other purely dominated by ferns and only a single Kakaag hand, has no diversity value because only one single (Commersonia bartramia ) tree was found. The terrain was individualwasfound presentontheplot. relatively flat and wide. Adjacent to it was active excavation Table-1. Diversity Indices: Shannon's (H') and Simpson's (1-D) and hauling activities, wherein expansion could possibly Index of diversity reachtheestablished plotlocation inthe nearfuture. PBMP No./ Species Numberof Simpson’s Shannon’s Plot-4 can be described as a secondary growth forest Parameters Richness Individuals Index(1-D) Index(H’) where large diameter trees are still found naturally. It is PBMP 1 11 16 0.89 2.31 located along Sua creek and can be considered adequately PBMP 2 3 6 0.50 0.87 stocked and intact by simply looking on its canopy. Several PBMP 3 1 1 0.00 0.00 hardwood species such as Ipil (Intsia bijuga ) and Tindalo PBMP 4 9 12 0.83 2.02 (Afzelia rhoimboidea ) were encountered along the way PBMP 5 2 17 0.11 0.22 together with natural -bearing forest trees such as PBMP 6 2 6 0.44 0.64 Bankoro (Morinda citrifolia ), Antipolo ( A.blancoi ), and PBMP 7 2 8 0.22 0.38 Marangbanguhan (A.odoratissimus ) which can be a good PBMP 8 2 5 0.32 0.50 PBMP 9 4 9 0.62 1.15 foodsourceof birdsandotherwildlife. PBMP 10 3 6 0.67 1.10 The other eight (8) PBMPs were established along the PBMP 11 9 19 0.84 1.98 coastal zones. These plots were classif ied as secondary PBMP 12 11 18 0.86 2.21 growth forest however; recent survey revealed that most of Cumulative 37 123 0.93 3.10 theareaswerealreadyconverted intoagricultural purposes. Plot-5 located in Barangay Lawigan was cleared forgrowing The mostabundantspeciesrecorded was Coconutwith Falcata (Falcataria moluccana ) along with Coconut ( Cocos 24 individuals followed by Falcata with 16. As classif ied nucifera). Ground cover is clear and soil was so shallow, beforehand, mostof theestablished plotsoutside theactive looseand rolling. mine sites were located on agriculture converted areas Plots-6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 were similarlyutilized ascoconut where Coconut and Falcatawere primary planted as a grooves. Though several saplings of forest tree species can commodity. be observed along transect walks and walk troughs, they Stand and forest structure: a total of 123 individuals with were intentionally cleared and burnt to favor the growth of a diameter at breast height of 5 cm or more were recorded coconut. Plot-11, on the other hand, is unique among the from the 12 permanent plots. This account to a plot density othercoastal plotsestablished. Itwas located onarockycliff of 256 stems per hectare or about 10 stems per 20m x 20m beside a small waterfall overlooking the seafront of plot only. The stocking is considered very low or SitioTagpangahoy. The area was relatively small yet has a “understocked” and therefore needs immediate attention number of different species that have been recorded, by doing enrichment planting to enhance the number of mostly fruit-bearing species.Ficus species such as Balete treesespeciallyalongwaterways. (F.balete ) and Tangisangbayawak ( F.variegata ) were Table-1: Numberof individualsperdiameterclassinside PBMP’s. prolif ic food providers for bats, birds and other wildlife Diameter class Diameter range Number of plants species. Poles and Saplings <10cm 37 Diversity of tree species inside PBMPs: a total of 37 Small trees 10cm to <30cm 78 species belonging to28generaand 16 familieswere found in Medium-size trees 30cm to <60cm 8 the permanent plots. Of the 37 identif ied species, 34 were Larger trees >60cm 0 found to be indigenous to the Philippines and of which 9 The forest is generally classif ied as a stand of “small were endemic or exclusively found only in the country. trees” with an average diameter of only 16.2±1.5 cm for all Ambient Science (2020) Vol.-07(1): p. 13 http://www.caves.res.in/ Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01 AMBIENT APPRAISAL

trees inside plots. Moreover, there is a big difference in the Table-3: Distributionof speciesasperIUCN ConservationStatus. proportion of the different diameter classes of the trees. IUCN Category Numberof Species Percent More than 63% (78/123) of the individual trees fall under NotAssessed 199 79% the category small trees while the medium-size trees LeastConcern 26 10% account for only 6.5% (8/123) with no large trees recorded Vulnerable 12 5% inside the plots. The rest were classif ied as poles and LowerRisk 7 3% samplings at 30.1% (37/123) as shown in Table-2. This DataDef icient 3 1% variance can be attributed to the relatively young stand as Endangered 2 1% older trees were cleared out due to mining activities if not NearThreatened 2 1% converted into agricultural purposes. Trees with the largest Totals 251 100% diameter include F.variegata, A.rhomboidea, Diplodiscus Table-4: Notable changes observed in the monitoring plots paniculatus, and A.blancoi mostly found on beach forest PBMP No. Changesobserved patch in SitioTagpangahoy. A visual representation of the PBMPs was created using Stand Visualization Software 1 Tagged trees were still present; however, the ground elevation was slightly altered by the accumulation of sediments from the (SVS) and image rendering was enhanced by employing recently constructed roadway in the upper elevation North side vector tree images in the Microsoft PowerPoint of the plot. Ground vegetations such as Bracken fern and Cogon environment (Fig.-1). The generated representations of all havegrowndenserthan the previousvisit. plotscan befound inTable-2. 2 Tagged trees were still present and no signif icant change was Floristic diversity of the MPSA: with transect walks and observed except for the rapid growth of Bracken ferns on the walkthroughs, a total of 251 vascular plants belonging to ground. 3 Theentire plotwasalready mined outand the solitary tagged tree 203genera and 80families were encountered and wasalreadygone. identif ied. Thedominant familieswith the most numberof 4 About 2 tagged trees were felled and ground vegetations were species enumerated were Fabaceae with 26 species, cleared due to expansion of rubber plantation from the upper followed by (16), Euphorbiaceae and Poaceae elevation. (both 13), and (12), while for the genera were 5 All tagged trees were still present and no signif icant change was Ficus (with 9 species), Artocarpus (6) and Cyperus (5). The observed. The ground cover is still open since the area was top ten families with the most number of species utilized forgrowing F. moluccana. encountered and identif ied were presented in Fig.-1 while 6 All tagged trees were still present and no signif icant change was thefull listof encounteredspeciescan befound inTable-5. observed except for the continuous growth of ground vegetation suchasTalahiband Cogon. Based on growth habit, more than 54% of the 7 All tagged trees still present and new emergent species were identif ied species were classif ied as trees and other recorded such as F. gigantifolia and Musa sppwhich were not arborescent species, 24% were accounted as herbaceous found on the previous visit. The ground vegetation has grown species (annuals and perennials), 9% were shrubs, 5% for much thicker; however, the threat of being cleared is high since vines both woody and non-woody, while palms and palm- quarrying operation forlimestonewasactive in theadjacentarea. like species (4%), as well as ferns and fern allies (4%), 8 All tagged treesstill presentand nosignif icantchangewas noted. compriseonlyasmall portionof theentirefloraFig.-1. Ground was cleared as the previous visit since the area was utilized forgrowing C. nucifera. Fabaceae 9 Two of the tagged trees were cut, however new trees have grown Moraceae as coppice. The stand has grown denser and access trails were Euphorbiaceae Poaceae alreadycovered. Malvaceae 10 Tagged trees were still present and new trees were recorded. The stand was composed of thick juvenile trees during the previous visitand now the trees havegrown largerthan before. Asteraceae 11 All tagged trees were present and no signif icant change was Lamiaceae observed. The plot location was hard to accessible thus no sign of disturbancewas noted. Number of Species 12 Three of the tagged trees were cut and 2 coppiced. Stand has Figure-1: Top ten families with the most number of species grown thickerasground vegetation becomesdenser. encounteredand identif ied inthe MPSA Ecologically important species: about sixteen (16) species

Shrubs Ferns Palms Figure-2: Percentage distribution recorded from the areaare listed threatened underthe IUCN of vascular plants found Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2017). Noteworthy Herbs within the MPSA according among the list, Kamagong (Diospyros philippenensis ) and totheirgrowth habit. Gapas-gapas (Camptostemon philippinense ) were the Vines Trees critically endangered species. Other threatened species categorized as “Vulnerable” include Molave (Vitex Ambient Science (2020) Vol.-07(1): p. 14 http://www.caves.res.in/ Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 AMBIENT APPRAISAL DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01

Figure-3: Observed changes in the PBMPs inside AMVI-MPSA area. A) Emergent species F.gigantifolia in Plot-7; B) Cleared ground vegetation in Plot-4 for Rubber farm expansion; C) Plot-3 taken June 2017, D) Plot-3 taken March 2018. parviflora), Tindalo ( A.rhomboidea ), Ipil ( I.bijuga ), Anislag Biodiversity is necessary to make ecosystem healthy (),Balobo(),Securinega flexuosa Diplodis cuspaniculatus (Naidu, 2016) and which is diff icult to measure directly Hamindang (Macaranga bicolor ) and Antipolo ( A.blancoi ) (Davis, 1981). With the establishment of PBMPs in the among others. mineral land of AMVI, biodiversity resources can be Species are classif ied by the IUCN Red List into nine monitored effectively on time. The results of the recent groups, specif ied through criteria such as rate of decline, surveyshowed thatthe MPSAof AMVI holdsaremarkable population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree diversity of trees and other vascular species in contrast to of population and distribution fragmentation. Table-3 mostserpentineareas(Weerasingheet al ., 2016). shows the distribution of identif ied species according to The monitoring plots in coastal areas of MPSA were IUCN groups where largely are categorized under “NOT alreadyconverted intoagriculture purposes and therefore ASSESSED” category. Only 6% of the identif ied species prone to physical and anthropological disturbances, (Vulnerableand Endangered) areclassif ied as threatened. whilst those inside active mining sites were affected by General observation of PBMPs during reassessment: management developmental activities. After a 9-month the 12 PBMPs were revisited on March 2018 to reassess the elapsed period, most of the plots were noted with conditions of the stand and the existing flora species signif icant changes structurally and physically. The therein. The tagged treeswerechecked (presence/absence) documentationof thesepatternssuchastreediversityand as well as emerging species were noted on the data tally. their distribution provides a good database, useful for Changes in the general form of the stand whether cleared, managementmeasuresontheremainingresources. disturbed or mined out were likewise noted. After a 9- monthelapsed period from the f irstsurvey, itwasobserved Acknowledgments: that the majority of the PBMPs experienced signif icant The author would like to express gratitude to the management changes either naturally or artif icially. The following notes and staff of Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. forfunding and logistics of thisresearch. illustratetheobservedchangesonthestands. Conclusion: The effort of management on biodiversity has become a major consideration for resource managers (Burtonet al ., 1992) especially in mining industries where subsequent operations likely cause adverse impacts on the ecosystem. Ambient Science (2020) Vol.-07(1): p. 15 http://www.caves.res.in/ Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01 AMBIENT APPRAISAL

Table-5: List of encountered vascular species in the MPSA of Agata 41 PoaceaeArundo donax Tambo Mining Ventures, Inc. 42Bambusa vulgaris Kawayangkilig No.Family Name Scientif ic Name Common Name 43Chyrosopogon aciculatus Amorseco 44Cymbopogon citratus Tanglad Ferns and Fern allies 45Dendrocalam usmerrilianus Bayog 1 AdiantaceaeAdiantum capillus-v C o m m o n 46Digitariaciliaris Crabgrass Maidenhair 47Imperata cylindrica Cogon 48Oryza sativa Rice 2 AspleniaceaeAsplenium nitidum Pakpak Lawin 49Paspalum conjugatum Kulape 3KabkabDrynaria quercifolia 50Pennisetum polystachyon Buntot-pusa 4 BlechnaceaeStenochlaena palustris Diliman 51Saccharum officinarum Sugarcane 5 CyatheaceaeCyathea contaminans Pakongbuwaya 52Saccharum spontaneum Talahib 6PitogoCycas rumphii 53Zea mays Mais 7 GleicheniaceaeDicranopteris linearis Agsam 54 PontederiaceaeEicchomia crassipes Waterhyacith 8 PolypodiaceaeAcrostichum aureum Lagolo 55 SolanaceaeSolanum torvum Talong-talongan 9 PteridaceaePteridium aquilinum Bracken fern 56 SphaenocleaceaeSphaenoclea zyelanica Mais-mais 10 SchizaeaceaeLygodium flexuosum Nito 57 ZingiberaceaeAlpinia zerumbet Redginger 11 SelaginellaceaeSelaginel laplana Kamariang Gubat 58Costus speciosus Spiralginger Herbs and other herbaceous species 59Etlingeri aelatior Torchginger 1 Acanthaceae Pseuderanthemum reticulatum 60Hedychium coronarium Camia Moradong Dilaw Palms 2 AgavaceaeCordyline fruticosa Bastonni San Jose 1 ArecaceaeAreca catechu Bunga 3Cordyline terminalis Sagilala 2Arenga pinnata Kaong 4Dracaena fragrans Fragrantdracaena 3Calamus spp. Rattan 5SongofIndiaDracaena reflexa 4Caryota cumingii Pugahan 6 AmaranthaceaeAmaranthus spinosus Urai 5Cocos nucifera* Niog 7Amaranthus viridis Urai Lalaki 6Dypsis lutescens Palmera 8 ApiaceaeCentella asiatica Takip Kuhol 7Heterospathe elata Saguisi 9 AraceaeAlocasia macrorrhizos Biga 8Metroxylon sagu Sago 10Caladium bicolor Corazon de Maria 9Nypa fruticans Nipa 11Colocasia esculenta Gabi Shrubs 12Cyrtosperma merkusii 13Dieffenbachia amoena Bakya 1 ApocynaceaeErvatami adivaricata Pandakaki 14Syngonium hoffmannii Goosefoot 2 AsclepiadaceaeCalotropis gigantea Kapal-kapal 15 AsparagaceaeSansevieriar oxburghiana Buntot ng Tigre 3 EuphorbiaceaePhyllanthus reticulatus Malatinta 16 AsteraceaeAgeratum conyzoides Bulak-manok 4 FabaceaeCaesalpinia pulcherrima Caballero 17Blumea balsamifera Sambong 5Cassia occidentalis Balatongaso 18Chromolaena odorata Hagonoy 6Desmodium pulchellum Payang-payang 19Cosmos caudatus Cosmos 7Desmodium umbellatum Mani-mani 20Eclipta alba Tuhod-manok 8Mimosa invisa Aroma 21Gerbera jamesonii African daisy 9Mimosa pudica Makahiya 22Pseudelephantopus spicatus Malatabako 10Puerariapha seoloides Kudzu 23Wedelia biflora Wedelia 11Sidarhom bifolia Walis-walisan 24 BalsaminaceaeImpatiens balsamina Kamantigi 12 MalvaceaeHibiscus rosa-sinensis Gumamela 25 BromeliaceaeAnanas comosus Pinya 13Urenalobata Kollo-kollot 26 CapparidaceaeCleome viscosa Apoy-Apoyan 14 NyctaginaceaeBougainvillea spectabilis Bougainvillea 27 CaricaceaeCarica papaya Papaya 15 OchnaceaeOchnaserrulata Bird's Eye Bush 28Cyperus digitatus Balayang 16 RubiaceaeIxorachinensis Santan 29Cyperus flabelliformis Umbrella plant 17Mussaendaphilippica Kahoidalaga 30Cyperus iria Gumi 18 SolanaceaeCapsicum frutescens Sili 31Cyperus rotundus Tarugog 19 ThymelaeaceaeWikstroemia indica Salagongliitan 32 EuphorbiaceaeJatropha curcas TubangBakod 20 Verbenaceae Clerodendrum qudriloculare 33Manihot esculenta Cassava Bagauaknapula 34 Phyllanthus niruri Sampasampalukan 21Duranta repens Duranta 35Ricinus communis Castor Oil Plant 22Lantana camara Coronitas Trees andArborescent species 36 GoodeniaceaeScaevolat accada Beach cabbage 37 LamiaceaeHyptis suaveolens Suag-kabayo 1 AnacardiaceaeBuchanania arborescens Balinghasai 38 MusaceaeMusa acuminata Sagingmatsing 2Buchanania nitida Anitap 39Musa paradisiaca Sagingsaba 3Mangifera altissima Pahutan 40Musa sapientum Saging 4Mangifera indica Mango 5Rhusta itensis Bino Ambient Science (2020) Vol.-07(1): p. 16 http://www.caves.res.in/ Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 AMBIENT APPRAISAL DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01

6Semecarpus cuneiformis Ligas 61Premna odorata Alagau 7 AnnonaceaeAlphonsea arborea Bolon 62Vitex parviflora Molave 8Annona muricata Guyabano 63Vitex quinata Kulipapa 9Annona reticulata Anonas 64Vitex trifolia LagundingDagat 10Cananga odorata Ilang-ilang 65 LauraceaeLitse aperrottetii Marang 11Polyalthia oblongifolia Lapnisan 66Neolitse avidalii Puso-puso 12 ApocynaceaeAlstonia angustiloba Silhigan 67 LecythidaceaeBarringtonia acutangula Himbabalud 13Alstonia macrophylla Batino 68Barringtonia asiatica Botong 14Alstonia scholaris Dita 69Barringtonia racemosa Putat 15Cerbera manghas Baraibai 70 LoganiaceaeFagraea racemosa BalatBuaya 16Plumeria acuminata Calachuchi 71 LythraceaeLagerstroemia speciosa Banaba 17Voacanga globosa Bayag-usa 72 MalvaceaeColona serratifolia Anilao 18 AraliaceaePolyscias nodosa Malapapaya 73Commersoni abartramia Kakaag 19 BixaceaeBixa orellana Achuete 74Diplodiscus paniculatus Balobo 20 Camptostemon philippinense 75Heritiera littoralis Dungon-late Gapas-gapas 76Hibiscus tiliacius Malubago 21Ceiba pentandra American Kapok 77Kleinhovia hospita Tan-ag 22 BoraginaceaeCordia dichotoma Anonang 78Microcos stylocarpa Kamuling 22 BurseraceaeCanarium asperum Pagsahingin 79Pterospermum celebicum Bayok-bayokan 23 CasuarinaceaeCasuarina equisetifolia Agoho 80 Pterospermum diversifolium 24 Gymnostoma rumphianum Bayok Agohodel Monte 81Theobroma cacao Cacao 25 CelastraceaeEuonymus javanicus Malasangki 82 MeliaceaeMelia dubia Bagalunga 26 ClusiaceaeCalophyllum blancoi Bitanghol 83Sandoricum koetjape Santol 27Calophyllum inophyllum Bitaog 84Swieteniam acrophylla LL Mahogany 28Cratoxylum formosum Salinggogon 85Xylocarpus moluccensis Piagau 29Cratoxylum sumatranum Paguringon 86 MoraceaeArtocarpus blancoi Antipolo 30Garcinia venulosa Gatasan 87Artocarpus communis Kamansi 31 CombretaceaeTerminaliacatappa Talisai 88Artocarpush eterophylla* Nangka 32 DipterocarpaceaeAnisoptera mindanensis 89Artocarpus odoratissimus Marang Palosapis Banguhan 33 EbenaceaeDiospyros philippinensis Kamagong 90Artocarpus ovatus Anubing 34 EuphorbiaceaeExcoecaria agallocha Buta-buta 91Artocarpus rubrovenius Kalulot 35Glochidionlittorale Kayong 92Ficusam pelas UplingGubat 36Homalanthus populneus Balanti 93Ficus balete Balete 37Jatropha gossypiifolia TubangMorado 94Ficus botryocarpa Basikong 38Macaranga bicolor Hamindang 95Ficus gigantifolia Kapadak 39Macarangatanarius Binunga 96Ficus minahassae Hagimit 40 Melanolepism ultiglandulosa 97Ficus odorata Pakiling Alim 98Ficus psuedopalma Niog-niogan 41Securineg aflexuosa Anislag 99Ficus septica Hauili 42 FabaceaeAcacia auriculiformis Auri 100Ficus variegata Tangisang 43Acacia mangium Mangium bayawak 44Adenantherap avonina Malatanglin 101Streblus asper Kalios 45Afzeliarhom boidea Tindalo 102MoringaceaeMoringa oleifera Malunggay 46Archidendrons cutiferum Anagap 103 MyricaceaeMyrica javanica Hindang 47Cassia fistula Goldenshower 104MyrsinaceaeAegiceras corniculatum Saging-saging 48Erythrina orientalis Dapdap 105Ardisias quamulosa Tagpo 49Falcatariam oluccana MoloccanSau 106MyrtaceaeEucalyptus deglupta Bagras 50Gliricidia sepium Kakawate 107 Leptospermum amboinense 51Intsia bijuga Ipil Payuspos 52Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 108Psidium guajava Bayabas 53Ormosiacalavensis Bahai 109Syzygium myrtifolium* Red liptree 54Pongamiapinnata Bani 110Syzygium samarangense Macopa 55Pterocarpus indicus Narra 111Syzygium spp Sagimsim 56Tamarindus indica Sampalok 112 Xanthostemon verdugonianus 57 FlacourtiaceaeCasearia fuliginosa Talitan Mangkono 58 HernandiaceaeHernandia ovigera Koron-koron 113 Olacaceae Strombosia philippinensis 59 LamiaceaeGmelina arborea Yemane Tamayuan 60Premnain tegrifolia AlagauDagat 114 OxalidaceaeAverrho abilimbi Kamias Ambient Science (2020) Vol.-07(1): p. 17 http://www.caves.res.in/ Ambient Science, 2020: Vol. 07(1); 11-18 DOI:10.21276/ambi.2020.07.1.aa01 AMBIENT APPRAISAL

115 PandanaceaePandanus tectorius Pandandagat DENR-MGB. (2018):Mining Industry Statistics. Pub. By: 116 PittosporaceaePittosporum pentandrum Mamalis Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines 117 RhizophoraceaeCeriop stagal Tangal and Geo-Sciences Bureau (http://www.mgb.gov.ph/). 118Rhizophora mucronata Bakauanlalake Kay, A. (2018): 10 Top countries for nickel production. Nickel 119 RubiaceaeMorinda citrifolia Bangkoro Investing News. https://investingnews.com/daily/ 120Nauclea orientalis Bangkal resource-investing/base-metals-investing/nickel- 121Neonauclea bartlingii Lisak investing/10-top-nickel-producing-countries/ 122Neonauclea media Wisak 123 RutaceaeCitrus grandis Pomelo IUCN (2018): The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 124Citrus madurensis Kalamansi 2018-1. http://www.iucnredlist.org. 125Clausena brevistyla Kalomata Naidu, M.T. & Kumar, O.A. (2016): Tree diversity, stand structure, 126Evodia confusa Bugauak and community composition of tropical forests in Eastern 127Evodia monophylla Kamal Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, . J. -Pac. Biodiver., bugtongin 9(3):328- 334. 128 SantalaceaeExocarpos latifolius Tulisan Nickrent, D.L., Costea, M., Barcelona, J.F., Pelser, P.B. & Nixon, K. 129 SapindaceaeGuioakoel reuteria Alahan (2006): Onwards.PhytoImages. 130 SapotaceaeChrysophyl lumcainito Kaimito http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu. 131Pouteria rivicoa Tiesa Odum, E.P. & Barret, G W. (2005):Fundamentals of Ecology . 132 UlmaceaeTrema orientalis Anabiong Fifth Edition.Pub. by: Belmont, CA : Thomson Brooks/Cole, 133 UrticaceaeLeucosyke capitellata Alagasi Singapore, 068808. 134Pipturus arborescens Dalunot Primavera, J.H. (2009): Field guide to Philippine mangroves. Vines and other scandent species Pub. By: Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation 1 ApocynaceaeDischidia major Lobo-lobo Foundation, Inc.and the ZoologicalSocietyof London. P-40. 2 ConvolvulaceaeIpomoea pes-caprae Beach morning glory Primavera, J.H., Sadaba, R.B., Lebata, M.J.H.L. & Altamirano, J.P. 3Ipomoea batatas Camote (2004): Handbook of Mangroves in the Philippines - 4Merremiapeltata Burakan Panay. Pub. By: Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian 5 DioscporeaceaeDioscore aalata Ubi Fisheries Development Center. 6Dioscore ahispida Nami http://hdl.handle.net/10862/3053 7 Fabaceae Calopogonium mucunoides Quintans, J.D. (2017): Mining industry in the Philippines. The Nipay-nipay Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/mining- 8Centrosem apubescens Centro industry-philippines/348610/ 9Clitoriat ernatea Pukinggan Sarmiento, R.T. & Demetillo, M. (2017): Rapid assessment on tree 10 FlacourtiaceaeFlagellaria indica Baling-uai diversity of nickel mining sites in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, 11 PandanaceaeFreycinetia maxima Pandan-baging Philippines.J. Biodiver.Environ.Sci ., 10(4):2222-3045. 12 PassifloraceaePassiflor afoetida Kurombot Sarmiento, R.T., Garcia, G.A.A. & Varela, R.P. (2017): Diversity of 13 PiperaceaePiper betle Buyo the riparian vegetation of lower Agusan river towards establishing the sago-based eco-belt for disaster risk References: reduction.J. Biodiver.Environ.Sci. , 10(4):70- 80. Burton, P.J., Balisky, A.C., Coward, L.P., Cumming, S.G. & Kneeshaw, D.D. (1992): The value of managing for biodiversity.Forest. Chron ., 68(2):225-237. Davis, M.B. (1981): Quaternary history and the stability of forest communities, pp. 132 -153 in D.C. West & H.H. Shugart (eds.) Forest succession: concepts and application. Pub. By: Springer-Verlag, NewYork.

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