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FLORAL DIVERSITY OF THE REMNANT MOSSY FOREST PATCHES IN ATOK,

BENGUET, NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

Article · October 2022

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

FLORAL DIVERSITY OF THE REMNANT MOSSY FOREST

PATCHES IN ATOK, BENGUET, NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

Jennifer C. Paltiyan-Bugtong, Cleefershel P. Kiligto,

Shaira Shane D. Cajigan, Judy O. Agtarap and Jones T. Napaldet

Received: 18.07.2022 / Accepted: 24.10.2022

Abstract: Mossy forests are important support ecosystems to human society by serving as water source,
erosion control and habitat for several endemic species. Originally protected by their rugged terrain and
remoteness, now these are also being heavily exploited. In Cordillera Central Range, Philippines,
massive areas of mossy forest have been and keep being converted to vegetable farms indiscriminately.
Also, this forest is one of the understudied forest type in the country. This makes the inventory of mossy
forest crucial as baseline information for conservation efforts and to document the remaining diversity
before they are lost forever. To contribute to this data gap, the study has documented the floral diversity
in the remaining forest patches of Paoay, Atok, Benguet. A total of 123 species under 95 genera and 63
families were inventoried. The diversity indices showed high species richness, semi-balanced to almost
balanced evenness, and high diversity. Moreover, several endemic/ native species and some conservation
important species were inventoried. An important update from this present inventory is the presence of
some exotic species that were absent in the previous inventory. This shows that amidst the small area of
the remaining patches, they are important habitats for several plant species and, thus, need continuous
protection. These findings are important contribution to properly account the plant diversity in mossy
forests and to serve as a monitoring data for the remaining forest patches.

Keywords: baseline for conservation, Benguet, forest patches, mossy forest

Introduction: 1 important in water provision and erosion

reduction (Currie 1999). In the Philippines,
The tropical montane cloud forests or mossy the majority of its remaining forests are the
forests cover about 0.3% of the Earth’s noncommercial native types like the mossy
surface but is of global importance due to forests. Among its three largest islands,
their exceptionally high levels of endemic Luzon has the most extensive mossy forest
species. Mossy forests are also ecologically that are mostly located in the Central

Jennifer C. Paltiyan-Bugtong and Cleefershel P. Kiligto,

Jones T. Napaldet: Shaira Shane D. Cajigan and
Biology Department Judy O. Agtarap:
Benguet State University Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
La Trinidad, Benguet 2601 Benguet State University
Philippines

e-mail of corresponding authors:

[email protected]

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68 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

Cordillera Range (CCR). Leyte Mountains forest of Mt Pulag, of which 357 species and
and Panay Mountains in the Visayas and 251 genera were endemic. The most recent
Mount Apo in Mindanao also have large areas floristic survey was conducted in 2012 by
of mossy forest (Penafiel 1995). Banwa in Monamun Norte, Mountain
In previous decades, mossy forests had Province where 37 tree species representing
scarcely came under assaults compared to the 20 genera and 17 families were listed. This
downslope montane and lowland forests. Its shows the dearth of available information on
inhospitable environments for human mossy forests of the CCR amidst its rampant
occupation, remoteness and difficult terrain conversion to vegetable farms.
have given them de facto protection. But with Barangay Paoay in Atok, Benguet is a
the loss of other forests, mossy forests are classic example of mossy forest conversion to
now under threat globally from human vegetable farms. The area is originally a
exploitation (Hamilton et al. 1995). The same mossy forest with scattered grasslands but
could be said for the remnant mossy forest in now only three mossy forest patches have
the Philippines, Penafiel noted in 1995 that remained. These forests patches have been
these remain unexploited because of steep inventoried by Austria et al. in 1999, albeit
slopes and the presence of crooked and unpublished. With 20 years difference, it
stunted trees that lack commercial value. would be interesting to note its current floral
However, with the boom of semi-temperate diversity for comparison and monitoring
vegetable production, massive swath of purposes which this study did. Moreover, the
mossy forest in CCR had been converted to floral inventory from this study will
permanent vegetable farms (Lleva 2003; contribute as baseline information to the
Lapniten 2020). Aside from forest glaring lack of data on the biodiversity of
conversion, another major hurdle in the mossy forests. Such data are basic premise for
effective conservation of mossy forests in the protection, preservation, and management of
country is the lack of baseline information on the biological resources and to prevent the
its biodiversity. Recent forest surveys have soaring loss of biodiversity (Lumbres et al.
yielded discoveries of new species like 2014). Locally, the study is an important data
Nepenthes candalaga (Lagunday et al. 2022), for the development of the land-use plan of
Tristaniopsis flexuosa (Fernando and Wilson the municipality.
2021), Dendrochilum ignisiflorum (Tamayo
et al. 2020) and most likely several more in
the future but floristic inventories on mossy Materials and methods:
forest are very limited.
The latest survey on the mossy forests of The Study Site
the CCR estimates an area of 204,700 ha,
about 11.18% of the total land area. These Benguet is one of six provinces within the
forests are usually located at the highest CCR and has the highest number of mountain
elevations of the scattered Cordillera range peaks with elevation higher than 2000 masl
(Banwa 2012). However, with the such as Mt. Pulag, Mt. Tabayoc, Mt. Ugo, Mt.
improvement of road access and the Santo Tomas, Mt. Timbak, among others. The
introduction of backhoe/loader, the province has a total of 8,634 hectares of
conversion of mossy forest into vegetable mixed forest (Forest Management Bureau
gardens have been much easier and faster. (FMB) 2003) but is gravely threatened with
Thus, the numbers above have shrunk forest conversion to vegetable farms. One of
considerably in the past 5 years. Compounded its municipality that experienced massive
with this issue is the lack of floristic conversion of forest into vegetable farms is
inventories on mossy forest of the CCR. In Atok. In 2001, DENR reported that Atok had
1910, Merril and Meritt enumerated 528 plant only 639 hectares of remaining forest or
species belonging to 357 genera in the mossy 11.6% of its total area; 83.6% was converted

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 69

into vegetable farms while 4.8% was with scattered grassland but now only three
converted into settlement areas (Bao-idang et patches of mossy forests remain. These serve
al. 2016). In one of its village, Barangay as the sampling sites of the study (Fig. 1).
Paoay, the area was originally a mossy forest

Figure no. 1 The study site – the three remaining mossy forest patches in Paoay, Atok, Benguet

The study site falls under Climate Type I 5m x 5m quadrats were also established for
under the Coronas Classification System, shrubs and ten 1m x 1m quadrats for herbs or
with rainy days from May to October grasses. All shrubs, ferns and herbs found
followed by the dry spells from November to within the quadrats were identified and
April. Table 1 presents the meteorological counted. Density, frequency, dominance and
data of the study site. their relative values were the major
parameters measured using standard formulae
Floral Diversity Assessment (Hernandez et al. 2021). Additionally, the
plants inventoried were photo documented for
The floral diversity assessment followed the profiling purposes.
method by Guron et al. (2019). One 20m x
50m nested plot was established in each forest Biodiversity Indices
patch. Trees within these plots were identified
and counted. Also, the diameter at breast Species diversity were calculated using
height and basal area of the trees was Shannon-Wiener index (H’), Simpson’s index
measured. Within the 20m x 50m plot, five (D) and Margalef’s index (R) thru standard

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70 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

formulae. To describe the distribution of were interpreted using Table 2 (Fernando

abundance across the species and to compare 1998; Hill 1973; Magguran 1988; Jorgensen
the diversity of the three patches, Species et al. 2005; Ulfah et al. 2019).
Evenness (E) and Jaccard index of similarity
were used. The biodiversity indices calculated

Table no. 1 Climatological Data in the Baguio-Benguet area that includes the study site

Month Temp (oC) Rainy Rainfall Humidity Wind Speed Cloud

Max Min Ave days (cm) (%) (mph) %
Jan 21.11 13.33 16.67 1.7 1.78 6.0 6.0 47.0
Feb 21.67 13.89 17.22 1.7 1.52 8.0 5.5 44.0
Mar 22.78 15.00 18.33 3.2 1.52 12.0 4.8 48.0
Apr 23.33 16.11 19.44 6.3 3.56 23.0 4.3 66.0
May 22.78 16.67 19.44 15.8 18.29 34.0 5.2 89.0
June 22.78 16.67 18.89 19.3 26.16 31.0 5.2 93.0
July 21.67 16.11 18.33 22.2 37.34 29.0 6.1 92.0
Aug 21.11 16.11 18.33 23.5 53.59 20.5 6.8 94.0
Sept 21.67 16.11 18.33 21.0 48.26 21.0 6.2 91.0
Oct 22.22 16.11 18.33 13.6 30.23 24.0 5.1 81.0
Nov 22.22 15.00 18.33 6.5 14.22 18.0 6.2 68.0
Dec 21.67 13.89 17.22 3.5 4.83 13.0 6.6 54.0
(Data Source: Baguio Pagasa Weather station from 1980 to 2016)

Table no. 2 Diversity Index and Species Evenness Values and their interpretation

Values Interpretation
Shannon- Wiener (H’)
>3.5000 Very high
3.0000-3.4999 High
2.5000-2.9999 Moderate
2.0000-2.5999 Low
<1.9999 Very Low
Evenness Pielou index (E)
0.96-1.0 Balanced
0.76-0.95 Almost Balanced
0.51-0.75 Semi-balanced
0.26-0.50 Less balanced
0.00-0.25 Unbalanced
Simpson’s index (D)
0.00 Absence of diversity
0.01-0.40 Low diversity
0.41-0.60 Moderate diversity
0.60-0.80 Moderately high diversity
0.81-0.99 High diversity
1.00 Absolute (perfect) diversity
Margalef’s index (R)
>4 High species richness
2.5-4 Medium species richness
<2.5 Low species richness

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 71

Human Activities and Conservation Results and discussion:

Management Practices
Floral Diversity of the Remaining Forest
Field observation and interview were used to Patches in Paoay, Atok, Benguet
identify the human activities that contributed
to the floral diversity loss in the study site. For A total of 123 plant species under 95 genera
the interview, purposive sampling was used to and 63 families (Fig. 2) were recorded in the
select the five key informants who are three mossy forest patches in Paoay, Atok,
knowledgeable in the management of the Benguet. In Forest Patch 1, 77 species under
forest patches. Prior to the interview, the 58 genera and 39 families recorded while 62
researchers sought permission from the species under 57 genera, and 36 families in
owners, the barangay captain, and the Forest Patch 2 and 108 species under 78
municipal mayor. During the interview, the genera and 58 families were recorded in
researchers introduced themselves to the Forest Patch 3. In terms of vertical
respondents. The objectives of the activity distribution, 39 species are recorded in the
were explained then a consent was secured canopy, 49 in the understorey, and 63 in the
from the respondents. forest floor.

Figure no. 2 Species, genera and family richness in the remaining forest patches in Paoay, Atok,
Benguet

140
Family Genus Species 123
120 108
100 95

77 78
80
62 63
58 57 58
60
39 36
40

20

0
Forest Patch 1 Forest Patch 2 Forest Patch 3 Overall

The species richness in this inventory is relatively small area of the remaining mossy
comparable with the previous inventory in the forest patches, several endemic and native
same site by Austria et al. (1999) that species are still present; and therefore, need
documented 117 species belonging to 57 continuous protection.
families. The difference could be attributed to Compared with the inventory of Merrill
the presence of exotic species in the present and Meritt (1910) in Mt. Pulag with 528
inventory and the absence of some species species under 357 genera, our result is much
noted in the previous inventory. However, the lower. This shows the devastating effect of
bulk of species richness was maintained. This forest conversion into vegetable farms on
is an encouraging sign that amidst the floral diversity. Much of the original floral

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72 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

composition of the study area was wipe out has 69 native, 34 endemic, 3 naturalized, and
with the conversion of the area into its current 2 invasive species. Forest Patch 2 has the
lucrative vegetable farms. smallest area among the three forest patches
In terms of ecological distribution, 75 and also has lowest species richness and
native species, 42 endemic, 4 naturalized, and lowest number of native/endemic species.
2 invasive species were recorded in the three The dominance of the exotic species
forest patches (Fig. 3). Forest Patch 1 has 52 Ageratina riparia was also most observed in
native, 20 endemic, 3 naturalized, and 2 Forest Patch 2. This species, a native of South
invasive species; Forest Patch 2 has 43 native, America (Turner 1997), is now widespread in
14 endemic, 4 naturalized, and 1 invasive several areas of CCR (Guron et al. 2019;
species were identified; and, Forest Patch 3 Batani et al. in press).

Figure no. 3 Distribution status of the floral species in the remaining forest patches in Paoay,
Atok, Benguet
80 Native Endemic Naturalized Invasive 75
69
70

60
52
50
43 42
40 34
30
20
20 14
10 4 4
3 2 1 3 2 2
0
Forest Patch 1 Forest Patch 2 Forest Patch 3 Overall

The most represented family in the study Forest Floor. The forest floor species
area is Rosaceae with seven (7) species, composition and dominance in the three
followed by family Myrtaceae, Poaceae and mossy forest patches are presented in Table 3
Polygonaceae with six (6) species each (Fig. (Annexes). A total of 63 species including
4, Annexes). Majority of the other families herbs, grasses, small fern, and tree seedlings
were represented by a single species. On the were documented in the forest floor. It can be
other hand, family Asteraceae has the higher readily gleaned from the table the dominance
number of individuals due to the frequent of the exotic Ageratina riparia across the
occurrence of Ageratina riparia and three stations. This species, also known as
Ageratina adenophora. Family Fagaceae is mist flower, is a shrubby, perennial herb that
represented by a single species, Lithocarpus grows to about 1m in height and produces
luzoniensis, but has the second highest large number of small white flowers (Frohlich
number of individuals and most among trees. et al. 2000). It is an aggressive, fast-growing
and moderately shade-tolerant plant with
Dominant Floral Species in the Mossy Forest seeds that disperse by the wind and water. In
Patches of Paoay, Atok the study site, it is most dominant under

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 73

canopy openings particularly at forest edges However, it was included as one of the Other
and least under dense canopy. Other dominant Threatened Species under DAO 2019-09 due
species are natives like Ardisia elliptica, to the massive conversion of its habitat – the
Impatiens platypetala, Sarcandra glabra and mossy forest – into vegetable farms.
Strobilanthes mearnsii; common weeds like On the other, Acer laurinum is an
Commelina diffusa, Ottochloa nodosa and impressive tree with leaves and fruits that
Persicaria chinensis; and, native ferns like stand out from a distance. This species is an
Asplenium normale and Athyrium nitidulum. anomaly among maples and is of
Forest Patch 1 has 32 species, Patch 2 has biogeographic importance because it has a
31 and highest in Patch 3 with 42. The greater geographic range from southern China,
species richness of Forest Patch 3 could be Vietnam, and Thailand to the Philippines and
attributed to the lesser dominance of A. Java (Harris et al. 2017). It is also widely
riparia as compared to Patch 1 and 2. Its distributed in Borneo, Cambodia, China,
lesser dominance allowed other native species India, Java, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls., Malay
to occur particularly under dense canopy and Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Sulawesi,
thereby contributing to the greater species Sumatra, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. In the
richness of Patch 3. Philippines, it is mostly found in Abra,
Understorey. The understorey species Bataan, Benguet (that include the study site)
composition and dominance of the mossy and Cagayan.
forest patches are presented in Table 4 The dominance of Pinus kesiya in Forest
(Annexes). A total of 49 species of shrubs Patch 3 is interesting because pine is usually
including saplings and large ferns were not dominant in mossy forest. Its dominance
inventoried. Forest Patch 1 has 24 species, 21 is due to its much bigger diameter compared
in Patch 2 and greatest in Patch 3 with 35. It to the other trees resulting to its higher basal
can be readily gleaned from the table that no area and much higher importance value.
particular shrub dominates across the three However, the number of its individual is
forest patches, rather they differ between actually comparable to the other mossy forest
patches. Majority of the dominant shrubs are trees.
native/endemic except for exotic Brugmansia Across the three forest patches, three
arborea that is most dominant in Forest Patch exotic species were noted namely Alnus
2. Ardisia pyramidalis and Turpinia japonica, Callitropsis nootkatensis and
sphaerocarpa are the most dominant in Forest Eucalyptus camaldulensis while the rest are
Patch 1 while Helicia robusta and Schefflera endemic or native species. These exotic
microphylla in Forest Patch 3. species were not included in the earlier
Canopy. The canopy composition and inventory of Austria et al. in 1999. This is one
dominance in the mossy forest patches are of the major difference in this current
presented in Table 5 (Annexes). A total of 39 inventory with the earlier one – the presence
species were documented with 21 in Forest of some exotic species. Alnus japonica was
Patch 1, least in Patch 2 with 10 and highest widely introduced in CCR as a N-fixing tree
in Patch 3 with 31. Lithocarpus luzoniensis is as source of organic fertilizer/compost but
dominant across all stations especially in now becoming invasive in other areas. On the
Forest Patch 2 while Acer laurinum is most other hand, Callitropsis nootkatensis and
dominant in Patch 1 and Pinus kesiya in Patch Eucalyptus camaldulensis were introduced as
3. Lithocarpus luzoniensis was also ornamental trees in the locality but few have
documented to be most dominant in the area escaped cultivation like in this inventory.
by the Austria et al. in 1999. This species was Several ‘commonly-referred-to-as’ shrub
reported by Pelser et al. (2011 onwards) to be species were included in the tree inventory
endemic but rather common in CCR like Clethra canescens, Eurya buxifolia, Ilex
highlands. It provides food to variety of birds spp., and Vaccinium barandanum with some
leading to its prolific dispersal in the area. even being dominant. Several individuals of

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74 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

these species have greater than 5 cm dbh, The Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Species
hence their inclusion as trees. Generally, these Evenness and Margalef Index values in the
species are technically shrubs in lower study site are presented in Table 6. All the
elevation but they become tree individuals in three forest patches have very high Shannon-
upper elevation as in the study site. This Wiener index and Simpson diversity, high
replacement phenomenon was also observed species richness as well as semi-balanced to
by Kowal (1966) in Mt. Data and by Buot and almost balanced species evenness. Forest
Okitsu (1998) in. Mt. Pulag. Patch 3 has the highest species richness and
In terms of species richness, herb species diversity based on Shannon-Wiener and
is highest at 63, followed by shrubs at 49 and Simpson indices. In terms of evenness index
least by tree species at 39. This finding (E), Forest Patch 1 has an almost balanced
supports the claim of Langenberger (2004) distribution of individuals of different species
that understory vegetation should be while forest patches 2 and 3 have semi-
adequately sampled in forest inventories as balanced evenness. This implies that almost
these often outnumber the canopy tree all the species are relatively equal number of
species. individuals except for few species like
Ageratina riparia that comprises 15.53% of
Biodiversity Indices in the Remaining Forest the total number of individuals.
Patches of Paoay, Atok, Benguet

Table no. 6 Biodiversity indices in the three forest patches in Paoay, Atok, Benguet

Number of Shannon-Wiener Evenness Simpson Margalef

Species (H') (E) (D) (R)
Forest Patch 1 64 3.684 (VH) 0.848(A) 0.956(HD) 13.43(H)
Forest Patch 2 57 3.664(VH) 0.642(S) 0.965(HD) 10.682(H)
Forest Patch 3 91 4.044(VH) 0.661(S) 0.973(HD) 17.495(H)
Note: For H’: VL = Very Low, L = Low, M = Moderate, H = High, VH = Very High; For E: B = Balanced,
A = Almost balanced, S = Semi-balanced, L = Less balanced, U = Unbalanced; For D: A = Absence of
diversity, LD = A low degree of diversity, MD = A moderate degree ofdiversity, MHD = A moderate
high degree of diversity, HD = A high degree of diversity, AD = Absolute diversity; For R: H = High
species richness, M = Medium species richness, L = Low species richness

Interestingly, the high diversity of the contribute to landscape connectivity, because

forest patches is comparable with Shannon- even a small patch that was dispersed can
Weiner indices in full ecosystem inventory serve as a stepping stone to increase
like in Alno Communal Forest by Lumbres et connectivity among patches which is to
al. (2014) with 3.21 and in riparian forest enhance the dispersal of species.
along Intek River with 3.92 (Balangen et al. The similarity among the three patches
2021). This shows the importance of forest based on Jaccard index is presented in Table
patches in recovering fragmented ecosystems. 7. Forest Patches 1 and 2 are most similar with
Harvey et al. (2000) noted the importance of 51.22% while Patches 2 and 3 are most
forest patches for conserving both local and dissimilar 26.27%. It is interesting to note that
regional biodiversity because they provide an amidst the proximity of the patches with one
important food source and habitat for a another, they still differ significantly in terms
variety of species, plants and animals of species composition. Nonetheless, this
(particularly birds), and may serve as stepping contributes to the higher overall species
stones that facilitate animal movement across richness.
the agricultural landscape. Small patches can

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 75

Table no. 7 Jaccard index of similarity among the three forest patches and with the previous study

Comparison Jaccard Index

Forest Patch 1 vs Forest Patch 2 51.22%
Forest Patch 2 vs Forest Patch 3 26.27%
Forest Patch 3 vs Forest Patch 1 38.94%
Present study and Previous study (Austria et al. 1999) 16.06%

Comparing this present inventory with the In the previous inventory, Carex turita,
previous inventory of Austria et al. (1999), Ophiopogan japonicum, Ainsliaea reflexa
the index of similarity is low at 16.06%. The and Ageratina adenophora are the understory
difference could be attributed to the species with the highest importance value.
difference in the location of plots inventoried, Carex turita and Ainsliaea reflexa (A. latifolia
thus differing in species composition. in the present inventory) were also noted in
Another factor is the introduction of exotic the present inventory, however, they were not
species noted in the present inventory that dominant. The other species, O. japonicum, is
were absent in the previous. Also, the absent in the current inventory. In addition,
dominant species differ. In Austria et al.’s Ageratina riparia which has the highest
inventory, Lithocarpus luzoniensis (11.97%), importance value in all the three patches is not
Symplocos lancifolia (9.67%), Cyathea present in the previous inventory.
fuliginosa (7.37%), and Clethra canescens Aside from the endemic species, the three
var. luzonica (7.13%) were the dominant mossy forest patches also harbour 10
trees. Similarly, Lithocarpus luzoniensis and conservation important species (Tab. 8) with
Clethra canescens are still dominant in the one (1) endangered, 7 vulnerable and 2 other
present inventory. threatened species.

Table no. 8 List of Conservation Important Species in the Mossy Forest Patches of Paoay, Atok

Species Conservation Status* Ni Forest Patch

where it occurs
Ardisia elliptica Thunb. Vulnerable 19 1,2,3
Bulbophyllum curranii Ames Vulnerable 2 1
Cibotium cumingii Kunze Endangered 9 1, 3
Cyathea fuliginosa (Christ) Copel. Vulnerable 1 3
Diploblechnum fraseri (A.Cunn.) De Vol Vulnerable 8 1,3
Lithocarpus luzoniensis (Merr.) Rehder Other Threatened Species 54 1,2,3
Machilus philippinensis Merr. Other Threatened Species 21 1,2,3
Microsorum sarawakense (Baker) Holttum Vulnerable 33 3
Rhododendron subsessile Rendle Vulnerable 2 3
Schefflera microphylla Merr. Vulnerable 14 1,3
*conservation status is based on DAO 2019-09

The endangered species is Cibotium cumingii exploitation and there has been no artificial
with 9 individuals that occur in Forest Patch 1 cultivation until now (Praptosuwiryo et al.
and 3. This species occurs in Borneo and in 2011). The main reason why a species
the Philippines but its population has becomes endangered is overexploitation
decreased rapidly because of over causing habitat loss and change. Knowing

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76 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

that the forest patches are home for Cibotium The Forest Services, Problems, and
cumingii, it is then essential to continue Conservation Strategies in the Remaining
protecting the area to ensure the continued Forest Patches of Paoay, Atok
survival of the remaining individuals.
Moreover, the presence of the vulnerable Results of the interviews showed that the
species and other threatened species in the local community is aware that the forest
forest patches requires active intervention to patches provide a variety of environmental
remove or mitigate the unfavorable services to the community such as serving as
circumstances that place them under threat to watershed (Fig. 5), erosion control, and
maintain healthy ecosystems and prevent the source of firewood. In addition, the forest
further extinction of species (Safeopedia patches also provide habitats for several plant
2022). species.

Figure no. 5 Forest services of Forest Patch 3 – as watershed (Photo credit to C.P. Kiligto, S.S.D.
Cajigan, J.O. Agtarap)

However, there are activities that plants has occurred in the forest. In the
contribute to the further degradation of the recollection of one key informants, one car
remaining forest patches. These include was spotted carrying a full load of plants
introduction of non-native species (such as including orchids and the Benguet lily from
the Japanese tomato, and Pinus kesiya), Forest Patch 3. Moreover, the owner of the
agricultural expansion (Fig. 6), road Forest Patch 1 and 3 observed that some
construction, and poaching. In Forest Patch 3, residents enter the forest to get plants. Due to
road construction is currently occurring and these, the Benguet lilies that previously grew
destroying the forest as some parts of the in the forest do not exist now.
forest is now used. Forest Patch 2 is also In addition, introduction of new plant
prone to disturbances due to the construction species was made in all the three patches. In
of houses near it. During the boom of Forest Patch 1, Japanese tomato was
‘plantitas and plantitos’ with increased introduced by the barangay officials before,
demand for ornamental plants, poaching of but it did proliferate. According to the owner,

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 77

cypress tree is currently introduced in the were introduced in 1990 during the tree
Forest Patch 2 as a way to protect the forest. planting of the barangay officials.
For Patch 3, Pinus kesiya and Eucalyptus sp.

Figure no. 6 One of the threats to the remaining forest patches, the continuous encroachment of
vegetable farms (Photo credit to C.P. Kiligto, S.S.D. Cajigan, J.O. Agtarap)

The main conservation strategies of the families in Forest Patch 2 and 108 species
key informants, who are the owners and under 78 genera and 58 families in Forest
caretakers of the forest patches, are to educate Patch 3. The diversity indices showed
the residents and ban them from entering the high species richness, semi-balanced to
forest. Seminars have also been given to almost balanced evenness, and high
remind those residents not to poach and cut
diversity. Moreover, several endemic/
trees in the forest. In Forest Patch 1, fences
were established to protect the forest as it native species and some conservation
serves as their watershed and so that the important species were inventoried. This
residents will not enter the forest (Fig. 7). shows that amidst the small area of the
remaining patches, they are important
habitat for several plant species and, thus,
Conclusion: need continuous protection. The findings
suggest then that despite having a high
A total of 123 species under 95 genera and diversity, human disturbances still
63 families were recorded in the three contribute to the diversity loss in the area.
mossy forest patches of Paoay, Atok, Also, the existing management strategies
Benguet. In Forest Patch 1, 77 species are not enough to protect the forest. Thus,
under 58 genera and 39 families recorded if these disturbances continue then there
while 62 species under 57 genera, and 36

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78 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

is a possibility that the diversity of the

forest patches may further decrease.

Figure no. 7 One of conservation strategies in protecting the forest patches – fencing in Forest Patch
1 (Photo credit to CP Kiligto, SSD. Cajigan, JO Agtarap)

Acknowledgments: Pădurile cu mușchi reprezintă un ecosistem

This study is part of the research project titled, important de sprijin pentru societatea umană,
“Documentation and Re-description of Floral fiind o sursă de apă, în controlul eroziunii dar
Diversity in Cordillera Central Range, Northern și habitat pentru mai multe specii endemice.
Philippines” funded by SEARCA (Southeast Inițial protejați de terenul accidentat și de
Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and depărtarea lor, acum sunt, la fel de bine,
Research in Agriculture) through the Seed Fund puternic exploatați. În zona Cordilierilor
for Research and Training. The study was also Centrali, Filipine, suprafețe masive de pădure
provided with travel fund support from Benguet cu mușchi au fost și sunt transformate fără
State University through the Office of the Vice
discernământ în ferme de legume. Totodată,
President for Research and Extension headed by
Romeo A. Gomez Jr. Thanks to all and to God be acestea sunt unele dintre cele mai puțin
the glory! studiate tipuri de pădure din țară. Acest lucru
face ca inventarul pădurii cu mușchi să fie
esențial ca și informație de referință pentru
eforturile de conservare și pentru a documenta
Rezumat:
diversitatea rămasă înainte ca aceasta să se
piardă pentru totdeauna. Pentru a contribui la
DIVERSITATEA FLORALĂ A
acest decalaj de date, studiul a documentat
RESTURILOR DE PĂDURE
diversitatea florală din peticele forestiere
CU MUȘCHI DIN ATOK, BENGUET,
rămase din Paoay, Atok, Benguet. Au fost
FILIPINELE DE NORD
inventariate un total de 123 de specii din 95
de genuri și 63 de familii. Indicii de
diversitate au arătat o bogăție mare de specii,

Istros – Museum of Braila "Carol I"

J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 79

uniformitate semi-echilibrată până la aproape mountain in Luzon Is., Philippines, Veg. Sci.
echilibrată și o diversitate ridicată. Mai mult, 15: 19-32.
au fost inventariate mai multe specii CURRIE S.P. (1999), In: S. Lawrence (ed.),
endemice/native și unele specii importante Tropical montane cloud forests,
http://sciencelives.com/cloudforest1.html.
pentru conservare. O actualizare importantă
Accessed November 12, 2021.
din acest inventar actual este prezența unor FERNANDO E.S. (1998), Resource inventory
specii exotice care au fost absente în and assessment of biodiversity in the Subic
inventarele anterioare. Acest lucru arată că, Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA): Report.
mijlocul suprafeței mici a peticelor rămase 283.
reprezintă un habitat important pentru mai https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/reports/283.
multe specii de plante și, prin urmare, acestea FERNANDO E.S., WILSON P.G. (2021),
au nevoie de protecție continuă. Aceste Tristaniopsis flexuosa (Myrtaceae), a new
constatări reprezintă o contribuție importantă species from ultramafic soils in the
pentru a contabiliza în mod corespunzător Philippines, Telopea Journal of Plant
Systematics 24: 345–349.
diversitatea plantelor din pădurile cu mușchi
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU (FMB)
și pentru a servi drept date de monitorizare (2003), Sustainable Forest Management,
pentru peticele de pădure rămase. Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in
Upland Communities in the Philippines.
https://forestry.denr.gov.ph/index.php/master-
References: plan. Accessed October 12, 2021.
FROHLICH J., FOWLER S.V., GIANOTTI A.,
AUSTRIA C.M., CO L.L., ROMERO R.L. HILL R.L., KILLGORE E., MORIN L.,
(1999), Bio-Physical Effect of Land use SUGIYAMA L., WINKS C. (2000),
Conversion in Paoay and Mount Data, CSC Biological control Mist flower (Ageratina
Working Paper 27, 17 pp. riparia, Asteraceae) in New Zealand,
BALANGEN D.A., CATONES M.S., BAYENG Proceedings of the X International Symposium
J.M., NAPALDET J.T. (2021), Floral on Biological Control of Weeds, Montana
Diversity of Intek River in Tuba, Benguet, State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA.
Northern Philippines, J. Wetlands Biodiversity pp. 51-57.
11: 63-79. GURON M.A., LUMPIO R.G., NAPALDET J.T.
BANWA T.P. (2012), Diversity and endemism in (2019), Comparison of Floral Diversity of Pine
mossy/montane forests Central Cordillera Forest, Agroforestry and Agricultural Land-
Region, Northern Philippines, Biodiversity Uses in Talinguroy Research Station, Benguet
12(4): 212-222. State University, Northern Philippines,
BAO-IDANG C.C., VISCO R.G., Mountain Journal of Science and
CARANDANG W.M., PAMPOLINA N.M., Interdisciplinary Research 79(2): 21-34.
CASTILLO A.S.A. (2016), Sustainability HAMILTON L.S., JUVIK J.O., SCATENA F.N.
Assessment of the Production, Decomposition (eds.) (1995), Tropical Montane Cloud Forest.
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Coffea arabica–Based Agroforestry Systems in HARRIS A.J., CHEN Y., OLSEN R.T., LUTZ
Atok, Benguet, Philippines, Mountain Journal S., WEN J. (2017), On merging Acer sections
of Science and Interdisciplinary Research 77: Rubra and Hyptiocarpa: Molecular and
90-104. morphological evidence, PhytoKeys 86: 9-42.
BATANI R.S., BASBAS A.V. JR., LONCIO HARVEY C.A., GUIDON C.F., HABER W.A.,
R.S., NAPALDET J.T. (In press), Riparian HAMILTON D., MURRAY K.G. (2000), The
Vegetation of Palina River in Kibungan, importance of forest patches, isolated trees
Benguet, Northern Philippines, Journal of and agricultural windbreaks for local and
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BUOT I.E. JR., OKITSU S. (1998), Vertical Costa Rica; Forests and society: the role of
distribution and structure of the three research, IUFRO Conference Paper, Viena
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Cordillera Mountain Range, the highest HERNANDEZ J., UMALI A.G., MALABRIGO
P. (2021), Floristic diversity assessment of

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Caramoan National Park, Camarines Sur, MAGURRAN A.E. (1988), Ecological Diversity
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KOWAL N.E. (1966), Shifting Cultivation, Fire, PENAFIEL S.R. (1995), The Biological and
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LAPNITEN K. (2020), Averting an agricultural vulnerable-species. Accessed February 1,
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https://news.mongabay.com/2020/03/averting BUSTAMANTE R.A.A. (2020),
-an-agricultural-and-ecological-crisis-in-the- Dendrochilum ignisiflorum (Coelogyninae,
philippines-salad-bowl/. Arethuseae, Orchidaceae), a new species from
Accessed January 15, 2022. Luzon Island, Philippines, Phytotaxa 455 (4).
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mossy forest conversion into vegetable farms TURNER B.L. (1997), The Comps of Mexico: A
in Tinoc, Ifugao, Philippines. systematic account of the family Asteraceae,
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search/search.do?recordID=PH2005000036. i–iv, 1–272.
Accessed on March 25, 2022. ULFAH M., FAJRI S.N., NASIR M., HAMSAH
LUMBRES R.I.C., PALAGANAS J.A., MICOSA K., PURNAWAN S. (2019), Diversity,
S.C. et al. (2014), Floral diversity assessment evenness and dominance index reef fish in
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Philippines, Landscape and ecological Series: Earth and Environmental Science 348
engineering 10(2): 361-368. 012074.

Annexes:

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 81

Figure no. 4 Family representation of the floral species in the remaining forest patches in Paoay,
Atok, Benguet

Rosaceae
Myrtaceae
Poaceae
Polygonaceae
Aquifoliaceae
Asteraceae
Ericaceae
Pentaphylaceae
Araliaceae
Rubiaceae
Araceae
Blechnaceae
Orchidaceae
Primulaceae
Phyllanthaceae
Piperaceae
Rutaceae
Sapindaceae
Acanthaceae
Balsaminaceae
Buxaceae
Clethraceae
Cyperaceae
Dryopteridaceae
Lauraceae
Hydrangaceae
Hypodematiaceae
Lamiaceae
Moraceae
Pinaceae
Pittosporaceae
Podocarpaceae
Proteaceae
Rhamnaceae
Sabiaceae
Selaginellaceae
Smilacaceae
Solanaceae
Staphyleaceae
Sterculiaceae
Symplocaceae
Urticaceae
Vitaceae
Winteraceae
Actinidiaceae
Adoxaceae
Asparagaceae
Aspleniaceae
Begoniaceae
Betulaceae
Chloranthaceae
Cibotiaceae
Commelinaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Cupressaceae
Cyatheaceae
Dennstaedtiaceae
Dipentodontaceae
Dipteridaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Fagaceae
Gleicheniaceae
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Species

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82 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

Table no. 3 Herb Species Composition and Dominance in the Forest Patches of Paoay, Atok

Herb Species Importance Value (IV)

Forest Patch 1 Forest Patch 2 Forest Patch 3
Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob. - 5.61 2.99
Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M.King & H.Rob. 20.43 15.83 12.35
Ainsliaea latifolia (D.Don) Sch.-Bip. 3.31 - 3.34
Ardisia elliptica Thunb. 6.18 4.65 0.86
Arisaema polyphyllum (Blanco) Merr. - - 0.86
Asplenium normale D.Don - - 4.71
Athyrium anisopterum Christ 1.06 2.04 -
Athyrium nitidulum (Kunze) Milde 4.53 - 9.97
Avena fatua L. - 1.87 -
Begonia merrittii Merr. 1.06 - -
Blechnopsis orientalis (L.) C.Presl - - 0.86
Bulbophyllum curranii Ames 1.36 - 1.37
Calanthe lacerata Ames 1.36 - 1.37
Cardiospermum halicacabum L. 1.06 - -
Carex alopecuroides D.Don 3.31 3.18 1.37
Carex turrita C.B.Clarke - 1.59 3.09
Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth. - - 1.11
Commelina diffusa Zoll. ex C.B.Clarke - 5.90 -
Dendrochilum graminifolium (Ames) Pfitzer 1.06 1.02 1.98
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw. - - 0.86
Diploblechnum fraseri (A.Cunn.) De Vol 2.11 2.61 3.95
Dipteris conjugata Reinw. - - 1.11
Disporopsis luzoniensis (Merr.) J.M.H.Shaw - - 1.11
Elaphoglossum blumeanum (Fée) J.Sm - - 1.11
Elatostema filicaule C.B.Rob. - 1.59 1.72
Eleutherococcus trifoliatus (L.) S.Y.Hu 1.06 - -
Embelia whitfordii Merr. - 1.02 1.11
Gaultheria borneensis Stapf - - 1.11
Gaultheria cumingiana S. Vidal - - 0.86
Gynura vidaliana Elmer 1.36 - -
Hedyotis benguetensis (Elmer) Elmer 2.25 2.04 2.59
Hymenasplenium ofeliae (Salgado) Barcelona & Pelser1.36 2.32 1.11
Hypodematium crenatum (Forssk.) Kuhn 1.06 - 1.98
Impatiens platypetala Lindl. - 1.30 5.97
Impatiens walleriana Hook.f. 2.71 4.31 -
Lepisorus validinervis (Kunze) Li Wang 1.06 2.61 2.23
Microsorum sarawakense (Baker) Holttum - - 1.37
Neolitsea microphylla Merr. 1.06 - -
Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P.Beauv. - 1.59 -
Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy 9.32 - 1.87
Pennisetum clandestenum Hochst. ex Chiov. - 1.02 -
Peperomia copelandii Quisumb - 1.59 -
Persicaria capitata (Buch.- Ham. ex D.Don) H.Gross - 1.59 1.11
Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross 2.11 6.80 -
Piper curtifolium C.DC. - - 0.86
Pteridium revolutum (Blume) Nakai 1.06 - -
Rhamnus philippinensis C.B.Rob. 1.36 - -
Rubia cordifolia L. 1.06 1.02 2.23
Rubus benguetensis Elmer 1.06 - -
Rubus copelandii Merr. - - 0.86
Rubus ellipticus Sm. 1.36 - -

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 83

Rubus fraxinifolius Poir. - 1.02 -

Rubus luzoniensis Merr. - 2.04 1.72
Rubus pectinellus Maxim. - 4.19 3.85
Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai 7.08 7.37 4.96
Schismatoglottis calyptrata (Roxb.) Zoll. & Moritzi 1.66 - -
Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring - - 1.37
Selliguea taeniata (Sw.) Parris 1.06 - 1.11
Smilax china L. 3.47 2.04 1.72
Sonchus oleraceus L. - 1.02 -
Strobilanthes mearnsii Merr. 10.69 5.61 2.99
Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. - 3.63 -
Zehneria mucronata (Blume) Miq. - - 0.86
Note: the most dominant species are in bold font

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84 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

Table no. 4 Shrub Species Composition and Dominance in the Forest Patches of Paoay, Atok

Shrub Species Importance Value (IV)

Forest Patch 1 Forest Patch 2 Forest Patch 3
Acer lauricum Hassk. 2.158 - 1.579
Adinandra luzonica Merr. 2.158 - 1.579
Adinandra macgregorii Merr. - 2.252 -
Aralia bipinnata Blanco 2.964 4.504 -
Ardisia elliptica Thunb. - 4.596 -
Ardisia pyramidalis (Cav.) Pers. 14.015 2.252 -
Brugmansia arborea (L.) Sweet - 13.787 -
Cibotium cumingii Kunze 5.122 3.033 6.588
Clethra canescens Reinw. ex Blume 2.964 5.285 2.196
Cleyera japonica Thunb. - 5.285 1.579
Dacrycarpus imbricatus (Blume) de Laub. - - 1.579
Decaspermum parviflorum (Lam.) Scott 2.158 - -
Dinochloa elmeri Gamble 2.158 - -
Embelia whitfordii Merr. - - 2.813
Eurya buxifolia Merr. 2.158 7.629 7.550
Eurya coriacea Merr. 5.122 - -
Glochidion merrillii C.B.Rob. 2.158 - 1.579
Glochidion rubrum Blume 2.158 7.629 -
Hedyotis philippensis (Willd. ex Spreng.) Merr. - - 1.579
ex C.B.Rob.
Helicia robusta (Roxb.) R.Br. ex Blume 2.158 6.756 9.746
Hydrangea chinensis Maxim. - 2.252 1.579
Ilex asprella (Hook. & Arn.) Champ. ex Benth. 4.316 - 1.579
Ilex buergeri Miq. - - 1.579
Ilex crenata Thunb. 2.964 4.504 2.196
Ilex malaccensis Loes. - - 1.579
Machilus philippinensis Merr. - 5.285 3.158
Melicope sessilifoliola (Merr.) T.G.Hartley 4.316 - -
Melicope triphylla (Lam.) Merr. 4.577 - 1.579
Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. - 3.814 2.196
ex Schum. & Lauterb.
Neolitsea microphylla Merr. 6.735 2.252 2.196
Perrottetia alpestris (Blume) Loes. - 5.285 1.579
Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl. - 2.252 -
Rhamnus philippinensis C.B.Rob. - - 1.579
Rhaphiolepis philippinensis (S.Vidal) Kalkman 5.122 - 1.579
Rhododendron subsessile Rendle - - 2.196
Rubus benguetensis Elmer - - 1.579
Rubus copelandii Merr. - 2.252 -
Schefflera microphylla Merr. 2.964 - 9.675
Smilax china L. - - 4.392
Syzygium alvarezii (C.B.Rob.) Merr. - 4.596 1.579
Syzygium congestum (Merr.) Merr. - - 1.579
Syzygium santosii (Merr.) Merr. 2.158 - 1.579
Tasmannia piperita (Hook.f.) Miers - - 3.775
Tetrastigma brunneum Merr. - - 1.579
Turpinia sphaerocarpa Hassk. 14.276 4.504 -
Vaccinium barandanum S.Vidal - - 3.775

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J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86 85

Vaccinium cumingianum var. igorotorum H.F.Copel.- - 2.196

Viburnum odoratissimum Ker Gawl. 2.158 - 5.354
Woodwardia unigemmata (Makino) Nakai 2.964 - -
Note: the most dominant species are in bold font

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 86 J. Wetlands Biodiversity (2022) 12: 67-86

Table no. 5 Tree Species Composition and Dominance in the Forest Patches of Paoay, Atok.

Tree Species Importance Value (IV)

Forest Patch 1 Forest Patch 2 Forest Patch 3
Acer laurinum Hassk. 51.14 0.82 -
Adinandra luzonica Merr. - - 0.60
Alnus japonica (Thunb.) Steud. 4.49 - 0.30
Callitropsis nootkatensis (D.Don) Oerst - - 0.29
Cibotium cumingii Kunze 5.78 - 0.59
Clethra canescens Reinw. ex Blume - - 13.77
Clethra tomentella Rolfe 2.33 - 0.89
Cleyera japonica Thunb. - - 0.29
Cyathea fuliginosa (Christ) Copel. - - 0.29
Dacrycarpus imbricatus (Blume) de Laub. - 0.90 0.58
Decaspermum blancoi S. Vidal - - 0.29
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. - - 0.30
Eurya buxifolia Merr. 5.71 - 6.19
Ficus ampelas Burm.f. - - 0.63
Glochidion merillii C.B.Rob. 0.65 - 0.29
Helicia robusta (Roxb.) R.Br. Ex Blume 0.65 - 3.57
Ilex asprella (Hook. & Arn.) Champ. ex Benth. 2.01 0.86 1.79
Ilex crenata Thunb. 0.64 - 0.58
Ilex malaccensis Loes. - - 0.58
Lithocarpus luzoniensis (Merr.) Rehder 8.18 41.03 11.49
Machilus philippensis Merr. 0.64 27.89 -
Melicope sessilifoliola (Merr.) T.G.Hartley 0.69 2.99 -
Meliosma pinnata (Roxb.) Maxim. 2.83 15.19 0.91
Neolitsea microphylla Merr. 6.45 6.65 2.40
Omalanthus fastuosus (Linden) Fern.-Vill - - 3.10
Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon - - 47.22
Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl. 1.44 1.90 -
Sarcococca philippinensis Stapf ex Sealy - - 0.29
Sarcococca saligna (D.Don) Müll. Arg. 0.65 - -
Saurauia sparsiflora Elmer 1.40 - -
Schefflera ovoidea Merr. - - 0.29
Sterculia rubiginosa Vent. 0.69 - -
Symplocos odoratissima (Blume) Choisy ex Zoll. 0.65 - 0.31
Syzygium congestum (Merr.) Merr. - - 0.29
Syzygium santosii (Merr.) Merr. - - 0.64
Tarennoidea wallichii (Hook.f.) Tirveng. & Sastre 0.64 - -
Tasmannia piperita (Hook.f.) Miers - - 0.59
Turpinia sphaerocarpa Hassk. 2.35 1.76 0.29
Vaccinium barandanum S.Vidal - - 0.37
Note: the most dominant species are in bold font

Istros – Museum of Braila "Carol I"

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