Diversity of Vascular Plant Species in an Agroforest: the Case of a Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) Plantation in Makilala, North Cotabato
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Philippine Journal of Crop Science (PJCS) December 2011, 36 (3):57-64 Copyright 2011, Crop Science Society of the Philippines Diversity of Vascular Plant Species in an Agroforest: The Case of a Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Plantation in Makilala, North Cotabato Angelo R. Agdumar, Marion John Michael M. Achondol, Bryan Lloyd P. Bretanal, Violeta P. Bello', Leopoldo L. Remo 11o3, Liezl S. Mancao2, Janette P. Supremo', James Gregory C. Salem' and Florence Roy P. Salvalia1 'Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, 9407 Philippines; 2Colegio de Kidapawan, Kidapawan City, 9400 Philippines; 3Mindanao State University, Dinaig, Maguindanao, 9607 Philippines; *Corresponding Author, [email protected] The study aimed to document taxonomically the diversity of vascular plants in a rubber (Hevea brasiliensis (H.B.K.) Muell.-Arg.) agroforest in Makilala, North Cotabato, Philippines and identify species with economic importance. Species inventory in 23 plots was carried out using modified stripline- transect line method. The study identified 110 floral species co-occurring with rubber trees, of which 100 were angiosperms, nine pteridophytes and one gymnosperm. Dominant families include Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Araceae and Poaceae. These plants are utilized as food, medicine and sources of construction materials while some are used as fodder for livestock, fuel wood, source of fiber and other industrial and household uses. Three of the eight identified species are critically endangered namely: Dipterocarpus validus, Hopea acuminata and Shorea almon, belonging to the family Dipterocarpaceae. The other five species categorized as vulnerable are: Macaranga bicolor, Artocarpus blancoi, Diplodiscus paniculatus, Cyathea contaminans, and Drynara quercifolia. The presence of threatened and some economically but ecologically important plant species calls for a high protection and conservation priority. Keywords: agroforest, critically endangered, rubber, vascular plants INTRODUCTION thatplantationscanplayanimportantrolein biodiversity conservation and restorationof forest Clearing of forests and deforestation brought about by speciesparticularly when plantation management human activities have contributed to the continuous tends to balance environmental and economic goals. decline of the forests of the Philippines. As cited by Su Agroforestry is a working-tree farming system that et al. (2011), Philippine government classified about integrates crops or livestock or both with trees and 15 M ha or 53% of the total land area as forestland. shrubs.Itis about multipurpose land use and tree However, only 5.70 M ha or 37% classified as forest products are not always intended to be a source of land are actually forest covered. There had been a income, but considers the values of trees on the land general failure of development policies on use ofas being multiple and widely varied (Beetz 2002; natural resources. As a result, there is a continuing Simmon 2007). A well-designed agroforestry system loss of biodiversity and general degradation of the results in biological interactions that provide multiple environment. In addition,rapidandwidespread benefits, including diversified income sources, agricultural expansion poses serious threat to natural increased biological production, better water quality, ecosystems. Primary forests have been converted to and improved habitat for both humans and wildlife agricultural lands which is a foremost contributor for (Beetz 2002). This practice often allows landholders to biodiversity loss. The replacementofforests, utilize their land resources efficiently for maximum wetlands, savannahs and other native landscapes output.This has been common because ofits poses a threat in the capacity of the environment to numerous advantages compared to monocropping sustain foodproduction,maintain freshwater and method of cultivation (Verheij 2003). Agroforestry can other ecosystem services (Maeda et al. 2010). be economically viable and productive over the long term when well-managed. Moreover, such complex Ecosystem-based management attempts to regulate agroforestry in buffer zones of forest fragments can the use of ecosystems so that benefits can be derived assist in maintaining forest ecosystem integrity and from these ecosystems, while major modifications are building ecological corridors done so that basic ecosystem functions are preserved (Pirotetal.2000). Low levels of biodiversityin The sustainability of ecosystem services depends on agricultural plantation had been reported by Bremer the conservation of biodiversity. Thus, conservation is and Farley (2010). However, other studies suggested the prominent reason for studying biodiversity.Itis important to conduct biological surveys to document to opportunistic identification. Species found in every species present in the area because this will provide sampling plot were noted, and quick characterization, opportunities for the government as well as non- description and identification were done on site. For governmental organizations in crafting environmental each plant species in the survey area, the official policy, management, education and protection common name and widely accepted scientific name advocacies.Thisresearchwasundertaken to was placed first in the checklist. Several field guides taxonomically document and assess vascular plants were used from which the most appropriate local associated with rubber in a rubber agroforest. The name for the scientific name of the plant species was study aimed to determine present vascular plant selected. These guides included the: de Guzman et species with economic importance. al. (1986), Hutchinson (1967), Pancho (1983), Pancho and Gruezo (2006; 2009), Rojo (1999), Salvoza (1963), Seeber (1979), and Whitemore (1975). MATERIALS AND METHODS Determination of Economic Importance of Plants The data presented in this paper were collected in Identified May 2010 in Platinum Rubber Development The economic importance of each species identified Corporation, Inc., Makilala, North Cotabato, was determined using published literatures/guides. A Philippines. The study area is located 6.81408° N focused group discussion (FGD) was conducted with 124.95744° E with an elevation of 152 masl and a local community people to determine the use of the Type IV climate according in Coronas' classification identifiedspecies. The panel was composed of which is characterized by rainfall throughout the year. community people among them being traditional folk While most of the total land area covered by the healers, farmers, homemakers and elders. plantation used rubbermonocropping method, agroforest system is also employed in some of the areas. The study used the rubber agroforest area as RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the survey site. Species of vascular plants identifiedin the rubber The study areaisplanted to Hevea brasiliensis agroforest under survey are shown in Table 1. They following the land contour on both sides of the river, are classified as Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, and with moderate to steep slopes and is not intercropped Pteridophytes. Angiosperms were further categorized with any other high-value crops (HVC). The owner did as tree, shrub, herb, vine, palm, grass and sedge. A not employ any intercropping because he projected total of 110 taxa of vascular plants were recorded higher cost due to the hiring of more manpower. Also, from 23 plots representing 95 genera distributed in 58 the rubber trees are prone to contact diseases that families (Table 2). may come from the intercropped HVC. The rubber trees are 40 years old, and presently yield an average Angiosperms dominated in the community with 100 of 1.4 kg of latex per tree per 30 days. The trees were different species (91%), the Pteridophytes spaced at 2 m x 8 m because of the sloping terrain, represented 8% of thespecies,while only one with a rubber density of 628 trees per hectare. The species of Gymnosperm (Gnetum gnemon, plantation site was once a lowland dipterocarp forest, Gnetaceae) was found which make the 1% of the total with several tree and fern species. species. Out of the 100 angiosperms identified, 44 species (44%) were trees,15 shrubs (15%),13 Sampling Method species (13%) of vines, 13 species (13%) were herbs, The ModifiedStripline-Transect Line Method was 3 species (3%) of palms, 4 species (4%) of grasses, used to qualify allplants. Two transect lines were and 2 (2%) were sedges. established. The length of the transect lines varied depending on the size of the sampling site and the The total number of angiosperm species identified in terrain. This method was implemented to cover a wide the study was higher than what Diaz-Novellon et al. range of situations. In the first sampling site, a 200 m (2004) found in improved rubber agroforest in West- X 20 m sampling area was established (4000 m2 Kalimantan, Indonesia with 96 species. The present sampling plot). This was done by laying a continuous study observed a low number of pteridophytes, which 200 m line/strip on the ground, measuring 10 m on is seven times lesser than what reported by Beukema both sides of the strip. The transect was divided into and van Noordwijk (2004) in a rubber agroforest in the 10 sampling plots or stations. Hence, each sampling lowlands of Jambi, Sumatra, where 65 species were plot measured 20 m X 20 m. The second line found. In the survey conducted by Beukema et al. measured 260 m X 20 m (5200 m2) with 13 sampling (2007)