Native trees in Nug-as forest Key Biodiversity Area, Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract. Lillo EP, Malaki AB, Alcazar SMT, Redoblando BR, Diaz JLB, Pinote JP, Rosales R, Buot IE Jr. 2020. Native trees in Nug-as forest Key Biodiversity Area, Cebu, Philippines. Biodiversitas 21: 4162-4167. Threatened species, by definition, have a high probability of extinction, and so each of their populations significantly contributes to their survival. This paper presents a list of threatened Native trees in Nug-as forest of the Municipality of Alcoy, Cebu. A list of indicators was used to identify the conservation status of the Native trees at the local level. A total of 135 native trees from 48 families and 105 genera were recorded. Most species belong to the families of Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Moraceae, Clusiaceae, Myrtaceae, Meliaceae, Fabaceae, and Rutaceae. In this study, 62 species were categorized as threatened, and 72 species as Least Concern, while in IUCN classification 19 threatened species were recorded, and 111 taxa considered as Least Concern respectively. Using the DENR method of classification 15 threatened species were recorded, and 115 taxa considered as Not Evaluated. The Nug-as forest was degraded by illegal cutting, kaingin, hunting and charcoal making. Based from Beynen and Townsend analysis, Nug-as forest was categorized as moderately disturbed. While DENR and IUCN declaration on the status of the Philippine native trees take a very long time, threatened plant species would be gone before we know it, considering the destruction rate in the Philippines.

Diversity of trees and structure of forest habitat types in Mt. Tago Range, Mindanao, Philippines

“…Kitanglad . The dominant DBH class in the site is comparable with Mount Lantoy (KBA), Cebu where majority of the tree populations have 10-19 cm (Lillo et al, 2019).…”

“…Tago is much higher compared to Mt. Malindang (n=86) (Arances et al, 2004), Southern Mindanao (n=117) (Gregorio et al, 2009), Mount Lantoy (KBA) in Cebu (n=112) (Lillo et al, 2019) and it is lower compared to Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindoro with 181 species (Malabrigo et al, 2020).…”

Diversity and composition of plant species in the forest over limestone of Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape, Bohol, Philippines

“…This study was conducted from 22 July- 7 October 2019. We followed the random nested sampling plot design by Lillo et al 2019 for a better understanding of the stand structure of the forest from the ground to the canopy. Fifteen (15) sampling plots, each with a dimension of 20 m x 100 m were used.…”

Some threatened woody plant species recorded from forests over limestone of the Philippines

“…Other forests over limestone were cited in available literature and included in the analysis (Figure 2). These are Cantipla forest (Cadiz & Buot 2009) and Mount Tabunan (Cadiz & Buot 2010) of Cebu City, Mount Lantoy of southern Cebu (Lillo et al 2019(Lillo et al , 2020(Lillo et al , 2021, and the coastal landscapes and seascapes of the Verde Island Passage, Batangas, southern Luzon (Caringal et al 2019(Caringal et al , 2021.…”

“…Karst forests in the Philippines harbor rich biodiversity, but some are also threatened due to human pressures. These include Mount Lantoy in Cebu Island, one of the 117 terrestrial areas designated as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) based on vulnerability and irreplaceability criteria (Lillo et al 2019(Lillo et al , 2020(Lillo et al , 2021. The area has two Critically Endangered, two Endangered, four Vulnerable, and 16 restricted-range species (CI/DENR-PAWB/Haribon 2006).…”