International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 4, August 2011 The Vegetation of Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas, Philippines Jethro J. Arsenio, Melanie P. Medecilo, Edna T. Mercado, Esteban T. Salibay, Jr., and Felinore Angelica H. Valera Although Mt. Maculot is not yet classified as a Protected Abstract—The vegetation type of Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Area (PA), the forest still had intact vegetation and with high Batangas, Philippines was investigated by determining the tree diversity, worthy to be classified as a PA. There is a dearth of species composition, abundance and dominance using Point research data, such as the physico-chemical and edaphic Center-Quarter Method (PCQM). This study also focused on factors in the area. At present, the vegetation is still intact the ecologically important species necessary for identifying appropriate measures for biodiversity conservation. Five 100-m with high diversity. Hence, there is a need to determine the transect lines were established along the selected areas of the tree species composition, relative abundance and diversity mountain based on altitudinal range at 100-m interval. Trees indices of the forest through vegetation analysis and to were encountered along the transects were tagged, the distance determine the ecologically important species in the areas in from the center and the diameter at breast height (dbh) were order to recommend measures for biodiversity conservation. measured individually. Voucher specimens for each tree were The data obtained from this research will serve as baseline collected for proper identification. The data were then analyzed and the Shannon’s and Simpson’s indices were computed. information in demarcating boundaries of areas for Results showed that 61 species belonging to 51 genera and 28 biodiversity protection and conservation. families were encountered. The tree species with highest importance value index (IVI) were: Canarium asperum Benth (Burseraceae), Diplodiscus paniculatus Turcz. (Malvaceae), II. METHODOLOGY Bischoffia javanica Bl. (Phyllanthaceae), and Palaquium philippinense (Perr.) C.B. Rob. (Sapotaceae). They were also The study was focused on the tree species found within recognized as the dominant species in the area. The area had five transects (100-meter plot) in Mt. Maculot. The selection 22.97% endemicity which is considered high. Based on the data, of transects was based on altitudinal ranges. These plots it is suggested that the mountain should be conserved and were delineated in every 100-m interval starting from 500 up long-term ecological research should be conducted. to 900 masl. The selected sites were analyzed using Point Center – Quarter Method [1]. Standard ecological formula Index Terms— Biological diversity, endemic species, importance value index. Mt. Maculot, Philippines, vegatation were employed. Voucher specimens for each individual tree analysis. were collected. The specimen were processed in the laboratory and deposited in the DLSU-D herbarium. Preliminary identification was done by examining the I. INTRODUCTION morphological characters of the specimen and was brought to Mt. Maculot situated between 13°55.241’N latitude and Philippine National Herbarium (PNH) Manila, Philippines 121°02.513’E longitude is found in the Southern part of for further verification. The ecological formula in vegetation Luzon and located adjacent to Mt. Makiling and part of studies were used in the computation and analysis. Likewise, Cuenca, Batangas. It has an altitude of 200 to 963 masl. It is Shannon and Simpson’s indices were also used in computing considered as one of the popular mountains in Batangs often diversity indices. visited by mountaineers and even by Catholic devotees. III. RESULTS A total of 198 tree individuals were encountered in 5 plots. These tree individuals are further classified into 25 families, Manuscript received July 18, 2011. This work was supported by 51 genera and 61 species. The present study is not Kingdom of Netherlands through Haribon Foundation for Conservation of comparable to Mt. Kinasalapi (1-hectare plot study) having Nature, Incorporated. J. Arsenio was with De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas, 43 species [2]. It can still be inferred that the area is still Cavite, Philippines. He is now on-leave from the university. diverse considering that only limited plots are sampled. For a (e-mail: [email protected]). non-permanent plot inventory using 14 plots [3], 96 species M. Medecilo is with Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas, Cavite, 4115 Philippines (e-mail: were encountered in 14 plots which is very high or diverse. [email protected]). E. Mercado is with Mathematics Department, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas, Cavite, 4115 Philippines (e-mail: A. Species Diversity and Endemism [email protected]). E. Salibay and A.F. Valera are with Religious Education Deparmtnet, De Five transects consisting of 198 tree individuals were La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas, Cavite, 4115 Philippines classified into 28 families, 51 genera and 61 species. The data (e-mail: [email protected]). (e-mail: [email protected]). proved higher diversity since in 1-hectare plot in tropical 274 International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 4, August 2011 forest, the number of species would range from 140 to 300 (11.12%), Canarium asperum (10.80%), Rutaceae (7.88%) species [2]. The size of the plot was less than 1-hectare so it and Palaquium philippinense (7.11%). The large basal area can be implied that Mt. Maculot presents a high species contributes to their dominance within the community. High richness. The most represented family was Moraceae importance value index were manifested among Canarium consisting of 7 species belonging to 3 genera. Ficus was the asperum (22.71%), Diplodiscus paniculatus (21.91%), most represented genus with 5 species followed by Bischoffia javanica (20.94%), Palaquium philippinense Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, and (15.72%), and Rutaceae indet. (11.74%). This figure is Sapindaceae with 4 species each (Table 1). comparable with any tropical forest inventories which range Mt. Makiling in Laguna is adjacent to Mt. Maculot. This from 12.5 to 52.4 [2]. The species with the highest IVI was forest reserve is well-studied comprising a large number of Shorea guiso having a value of 12.32% which is lower families, genera and species and includes many interesting compared to our data [3]. vegetational forms. Records revealed that there are 949 The structure of the forest of Mt. Maculot is similar in genera, 2038 species, 19 subspecies, 167 varieties and physiognomy to the forest of Mt. Makiling [6] and Mts. several forms and cultivars of flowering plants and ferns in Palaypalay/Mataas na Gulod [3]. However, it differs from the 225 families [Pancho). The vegetation of Mt. Makiling two in the absence of dipterocarp species in the lower differs from Mt. Maculot by the presence of dipterocarps in elevation thus, classifying it as semi-deciduous forest, lowland elevation. Higher up the mountain of Mt. Maculot midmontane forest and mossy. The absence of dipterocarps the character of the forest changes. As the altitude increases, can be attributed to the agricultural crops planted in the areas, epiphytes become markedly and numerous in number. an evidence of conversion of the mountain into agricultural Epiphytic mosses and liverworts as well as ferns and orchids lands. In addition, Barangay Pinagkaisahan side was observed with human trails for mountaineers and other form dense growth on the trunks of trees indicating that the climbers. mountain is mossy forest. This feature is also similar to Mt. The genera Canarium, Palaquium, Syzygium, Dillenia, Makiling. Diplodiscus, Cordia, and Ficus are usually associated with As to endemism, 14 or 22.95% species are endemic while lowland dipterocarp forest [7] as in the case of other 3 species are vulnerable. The unique feature of the mountain Philippine forest, however, this result suggests that the presents a serious conservation effort to protect the wildlife mountain may have been a dipterocarp forest but because of and plant species in the area. This means that the area should slash and burn farming method the lower portion was be conserved to prevent loss of endemic as well as vulnerable converted to agricultural land. It is observed that at lower species. The endemic species are Aglaia rimosa, Antidesma elevation, (200-400 masl) the forest is classified as pentandrum, Canthium gynocthodes, Caryota rumphiana,, agricultural land. Species of fruit trees, such as coconut Diplodiscus paniculatus, Euphoria didyma, Guioa (Cocos nucifera), mango (Mangifera indica), banana (Musa koelreuteria, Clausena anisum-olens, Homalanthus rotundus, sapientum), lansones (Lansium domesticum), and other root Litchi chinensis, Neotrewia cumingii, Pterospermum crops like gabi (Colocasia esculenta) were evident. An divrsifolium, Semecarpus cuneiformis, and Voacanga interview with local residents revealed that some of them globosa. Three species such as Dillenia philippinensis, converted their lands within the mountain area into agricultural land. Palaquium philippinenses and Wrightia pubescens are At higher elevation 500-600 masl, patches of secondary considered as vulnerable species by the International Union forest can be observed. Species like Antidesma pentandrum, for Conservation Network [4]. Mallotus philippinensis,