Diversity and distribution of ferns in forest over limestone in Cebu Island Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Philippines

Abstract

Abstract. Lillo EP, Malaki AB, Alcazar SMT, Rosales R, Redoblado BR, Pantinople E, Nuevo RU, Cutillar RC, Almirante A, Buot IE Jr. 2020. Diversity and distribution of ferns in forest over limestone in Cebu Island Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Philippines. Biodiversitas 21: 413-421. Three forest areas of Cebu Island, Philippines were recognized as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR], Philippines based on the criteria of vulnerability and irreplaceability, namely Nug-as of Alcoy, Palinpinon Range of Dalaguete, and Mt. Lantoy of Argao. The study aimed to assess the composition, diversity, and distribution of ferns in the aforementioned KBA's. Quadrat at 20 m x 20 m was established within the 2000 m transect line at an interval of 200 m. Result showed a total of 50 species, categorized into 15 families and 29 genera for 30 quadrats. Twelve species were considered as new records on Cebu. Thirteen species were recorded in both Mt. Lantoy and Nug-as forest KBA’s, but absent in Palinpinon range. While 6 species were recorded as unique to Nug-as forest. Nug-as forest and Mt. Lantoy showed a relative value of very high species diversity. Nug-as forest and Mt. Lantoy KBA forming into one cluster and Palinpinon range proved to have a distinct fern species composition, and form another cluster. Local government units (LGU) in every KBA need to recognize the necessity of biodiversity information in their localities that would facilitate information sharing and awareness, hence enhancing protection and conservation of unique biodiversity, since they are at the forefront of local action.

Review: Biodiversity of forests over limestone in Southeast Asia with emphasis on the Philippines

“…One of the most extensive recorded is the Calbiga Karst on Samar Island with many other significant karst areas found on other large islands. Important karst areas are also found in Luzon (Cagayan, Kalinga-Apayao, Ilocos and Bicol regions), Visayas (Bohol and Cebu) Buot 2010, 2011;Lillo et al 2020), and Mindanao (Negros, Davao and Cotabato) (Restificar et al 2006). Pinnacle karsts and conspicuous steep-sided karst towers are found in northern Palawan-specifically Coron Island-and Palawan's west coast (Fernando et al 2008).…”

Plant diversity of Petungkriyono Forest of Dieng Plateau, Central Java, Indonesia

“…The next step was to identify and compare to the identification book of species in the natural forest. The various publications were used as references to identify the observed and collected plants (Odum 1998;Giriraj et al 2008;Abedi and Pourbabaei 2010;Naidu and Kumar 2016;Kusumo 2016;MoEF 2017;Suryana 2018;Lillo et al 2019;Amiri 2019;Addi et al 2020;Lillo et al 2020).…”

“…In an old-growth forest, stem density was not larger significantly than in restoration forest or young secondary forest. While the percentage cover of seedling and canopy cover was higher than restoration forest (Wheeler et al 2016;Vacek et al 2019;Lillo et al 2020;Naime et al 2020).…”

“…Therefore, an area with high species diversity produces in a more stable and productive ecosystem. Most remaining high biodiversity forests are located across upland and higher elevation landscapes (Lillo et al 2020).…”

“…Biodiversity information facilitated information sharing and awareness, hence enhancing the protection and conservation of unique biodiversity of local action. The important factors for biodiversity are the species composition including the co-dominant and dominant tree density and the variability of any biodiversity measure (Fedele et al 2017;Lillo et al 2020). The ecological important value of each species was determined by the criteria of how often it occurred, the species number, and the area that was occupied in a community (Alavaisha and Mangora 2016).…”