Diversity Assessment and Classification of the Natural Forest of The Los Baños Experiment Station, Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines

Abstract

An assessment of the floral diversity and classification of the natural forest of the Los Baños Experiment Station located in Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve was conducted. Quadrat Sampling Technique was used in the study. Data were subjected to Quantitative Structural Analysis, Similarity Analysis using Sorensen's Index (SI), Diversity Analyses using Shannon-Weiner Index and Equitability Index to estimate the level of plant diversity, degree of species distribution in each quadrat, species overlap and dominance , respectively. The species-quadrat matrix were subjected to Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) for classification of plant communities and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) for quadrat ordination.

One hundred fifteen species belonging to 91 genera in 41 families of terrestrial plants were recorded. Family Moraceae is most represented with 13 species while Ficus is the most represented among the genera surveyed (9 species). The aggregate H' index of the station is 4.08182 and a J index of 0.86. Twelve species in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were recorded.

Two plant community types were identified: Swietenia macrophylla-Donax cannaeformis association and Diospyros philippensis-Shorea contorta association.

Conservation-related implications are discussed and highlighted. Recommendations, in light of the findings, are presented.