Biodiversity and Conservation (2006) 15:1271–1301 Ó Springer 2006 DOI 10.1007/s10531-005-2576-4 -1 Vascular plant species inventory of a Philippine lowland rain forest and its conservation value GERHARD LANGENBERGER, KONRAD MARTIN* and JOACHIM SAUERBORN Institute of Plant Production and Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics (380), Agroecology Section, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany; *Author for correspondence (e-mail:
[email protected]; phone: +49-711-459-3605; fax: +49-711-459-3843) Received 22 June 2004; accepted in revised form 8 February 2005 Key words: Conservation value, Dipterocarp forests, Gene bank, Molave forest, Native species, Species richness, Tropical rain forest, Vascular plant species Abstract. The Philippines are one of the most important biodiveristy hotspots on earth. Due to the extraordinary rate of environmental destruction, leaving only 3% of the land with primary forest, this biodiversity is at high risk. Despite that situation information on Philippine forest vegetation is fragmentary and focused on trees. This study aimed at analysing forest remnants in the Leyte Cordillera on the Island of Leyte, and at evaluating their role as refuge to the largely destroyed lowland forest vegetation. A total of 49 plots (100 m2 each) between 55 and 520 m a.s.l. were studied. All vascular plant species except epiphytes were included. Records include 685 taxa from 289 genera and 111 families, representing nearly 8% of the known Philippine vascular plant species. More than half (52%) of the species are Philippine endemics. A number of 41 tree species, or 6% of all taxa recorded, are included in the IUCN red list, either as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.