J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 9, No. 3, p. 1-12, 2016 http://www.innspub.net RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS Bryophyte flora of Mt. Matutum protected landscape, South Cotabato, Philippines Andrea G. Azuelo*1, Alven A. Manual1, Christine Dawn G. Obemio2, Edna P. Oconer2, Renan B. Gubalane2, Gerald G. Lobredo2 1Professional Education Department, College of Education, Central Mindanao University, Bukidnon, Philippines 2Science Department, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mindanao State University, General Santos City, Philippines Article published on September 28, 2016 Key words: Bryophyte taxa, Conservation strategy, Endemic, Species richness. Abstract An inventory of Mt. Matutum’s bryophyte flora as to its species richness and composition on the three vegetation types namely: lowland (mixed dipterocarp), montane and mossy forests was conducted. A floristic survey through alpha taxonomy was employed by recording all the species within the study area. The bryophytes were collected through alpha taxonomy and sampling plots. Site validations were employed to establish two sample plots with a 20x20 m quadrat in each vegetation type. Each species was classified, identified and described according to its diagnostic characters using field lens and microscopy examinations. Findings of the study revealed a total of 185 species, 70 genera, and 35 families. There are 129 species of mosses belonging to 48 genera and 23 families. The liverwort showed 43 species, 19 genera, and 11 families. Three species belonging to 3 genera and one family were noted for the hornworts. Four endemic species namely: Ectropothecium ferrugineum (C. Mull.) Jaeg., Symphysodontella subulata Broth., Thuidium benguetense Broth ex. Bartr., Leucobryum bowringii Mitt., On the species currently listed, Leucobryum bowringii Mitt. was evaluated as endangered. Two species of mosses namely: Pogonatum macrophyllum (Dozy & Molk.) Lindb. and Leucobryum arfakianum C. Mull. Ex. Geh. had shown uniqueness in their morphology and distribution, and clearly showed that their life forms are adaptations to special ecological niches and reflect habitats. Three species of mosses were found as new record in Mt. Matutum such as Neolindbergia rugosa (Lindb.) Fleisch., Bescherellia cryphaeoides (C. Müll.) Fleisch., and Aerobryopsis sp. Further research is essential in monitoring several important species and providing baseline information on its distribution and taxonomic classification. *Corresponding Author: Andrea G. Azuelo [email protected] 1 | Azuelo et al. J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Introduction nutrient uptake from rain, as soil stabilizers in areas The current state of knowledge on the bryophyte flora where ground surface conditions have declined as a in the Philippines is still incomplete and poorly result of increased infiltration (Eldridge, 1993). documented. As noted, the conversion of a significant portion of the land base to second-growth forest may Bryophytes communities are critical to the survival of result in the loss of these species hence species a tremendous diversity of organisms. In fact, various assemblage vanishes, and no taxonomic treatment arthropods are dependent on mosses and liverwort as was considered as to its floristic composition. habitats, or as a food source. Bryophytes are the diverse group of land plants that The nutrient-rich, spore-producing capsules are usually colonize habitats with moist or extremely particularly palatable to mollusks, insects, birds and variable conditions (Nikolajeva et al., 2012). They are mammals in a cold environment and are eaten by non-vascular plants that are remarkably small, green, reindeer, geese ducks, sheep and other rodents simple, spore-bearing and unique among land plants. (Longton, 1992; Shevock, 2001). They are also Bryophytes are relatively large perennial, important as nesting material for birds and act as photosynthetic, and free-living, haploid protective habitat for amphibians; and likewise gametophytes, unbranched diploid sporophytes that provide suitable substances for blue-green algae, remain attached to the maternal gametophyte cyanobacteria. throughout their lifespan, thus, it is heteromorphic (Shaw and Beer, 1999; Cox et al., 2010). Most of the Plant richness patterns and diversity had been used bryophytes are ideal for addressing both the extensively for global-scale conservation prioritizing ecological and evolutionary impacts of habitat and have almost exclusively focused on higher plants destruction due to global ubiquity, fast generation yet other groups such as bryophytes. Bryophyte flora times, substrate specificity, and dominant haploid is also critical and an important environmental and condition (Pharo and Zartman, 2006). ecological indicator of most climate change to substantiate climate models and measure global Recently, the bryophytes are approximately 24,000 warming (Gradstein, 2001; Ginac, 2001). species worldwide and are divided into three separate phyla: Bryophyta (mosses) with 15,000 species More importantly, bryophytes act as good indicators worldwide; the Hepatophyta (liverworts) with 8,500 of pollution of air and water, heavy metal species and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts) with approximately 300 species. These groups are all contamination, and radioactivity; for some species moisture-loving plants and inhabit an astounding have been found to be closely associated with diversity on a wide variety of substrates and habitats, particular mineral or metal deposits such as copper but differ in their anatomical features (Shaw and ore. Therefore, it assisted in geobotanical survey work Goffinet, 2000). and used as indicators of ecological continuity (Hodgetts, 1992; Frahm, 2003). On its importance, bryophytes are a significant component of moist tropical montane forests and play Presently, the Philippine forests seem to be a major role in the water balance and nutrient cycling ecologically disturbed for some are transformed into of these forests types (Gradstein and Culmsee, 2010). agricultural land. Thus, it is evident that most The mosses are valuable in controlling erosion; they bryophyte flora shows emphasis on their distribution assist in the accumulation of humus on branches and in a limited number of classes of land use intensity twigs; an important role in water storage, (Zechmeister, 2001). 2 | Azuelo et al. J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Moreover, the continued forest denudation activities Further, this research study would serve as baseline and the alarming natural calamities affecting data in the formulation of policies and management bryophyte flora need immediate attention before they plan for the protection and conservation of disappear in the biosphere. bryophytes and their associated habitats in the forests. Mt. Matutum is an active volcanic cone and is dominated by andesitic rocks. The geographical Materials and methods feature of the mountain is straddling the four Study sites municipalities of South Cotabato (Tupi, Tampakan, Field reconnaissance and secondary data gathering Polomolok) and one in Sarangani province were done to determine two (2) major sites: the (Malungon). It has a total area of 14,773 hectares and disturbed and undisturbed areas in MMPL. a maximum elevation of 2,286 masl., and with montane forest stands. The mountain is declared as a Protected Landscape hence, requiring the preservation of its genetic diversity and maintaining its natural ecological conditions. More importantly, it is identified as an ecological landscape and key biodiversity area by the Conservation International. With its rich vegetation types, observable species were noted for each vegetation type indicating a higher degree of association on their host trees and their natural substrates. The current research attempted to include a floristic inventory specifically on the species composition and richness of the bryophyte flora of the three vegetation Fig. 1. Philippine Map. types namely: lowland (mixed dipterocarp), montane, and mossy forests. The disturbed sites were at Sitio Glandang, Barangay Kablon, Tupi, South Cotabato The research attempted to inventory the bryophyte (A1=6°22'10.98":125°4'8.71"E;3=6°21'1.00"N:125°3'3 diversity of Mt. Matutum as to its species richness 5.40"E;A5=6°21'19.00"N:125°4'8.00"E). Undisturbed and composition on the three vegetation types sites were at Sitio Kawit, Barangay Maligo, namely: lowland (mixed dipterocarp), montane and Polomolok, South Cotabato mossy forests. (A2=6°20'40.10"N:125°6'3.80"E;A4=6°21'15.70"N:12 5°5'39.60"E;A6=6°21'21.70"N:125°5'8.40"E). (Fig. 1- The present report would provide a status of the 4). current bryophyte diversity at the three sites allowing more floristic knowledge specifically on its In each site, three sampling areas were established cryptogamic inventory since scientific data on representative of different altitude and forest bryophytes is incomplete on the said mountain. More so, the study would allow future reexaminations to vegetation types namely: lowland dipterocarp (below assess the development in bryophyte species diversity 1000 masl), montane (1000 to 1500 masl) and mossy of the natural park. (> 1500 masl) forests. 3 | Azuelo et al. J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Sampling and rhizoids were used to classify into its biological The established plots were made based on the classification. Identification was made using the vegetation types. In each vegetation type, two (2) existing herbaria and keys from books, scientific