Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation Status of Some Pteridophytes in the Northeastern Portion of Quezon Protected Landscape, Philippines

Jennifer M. Conda; Inocencio E. Buot, Jr.

Authors

Jennifer M. Conda Forest Products Research and Development Institute–Department of Science and Technology, College, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Inocencio E. Buot, Jr. Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

Keywords:

Philippines, conservation status, ferns, diversity, richness, conservation, dominance, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, least concern

Abstract

This research has been conducted to determine the pteridophytic composition of Quezon Protected Landscape (QPL), to assess fern diversity and richness and evaluate the conservation status of ferns. Field survey and species identification resulted in a total of 51 species, belonging to 25 genera, 16 families and 7 orders. The most represented families are Aspleniaceae (11.8%), Pteridaceae (19.6%), Selaginellaceae (9.8%) and Tectariaceae (11.8%). On the other hand, Asplenium, Pteris, Selaginella and Tectaria are the most represented genera. Among the eight sites “Pinagbanderahan” has the highest number of fern species while lowest number was observed in “Pinaglabanan”. Using Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s index highest richness and dominance value of 2.27 and 0.85 was observed at the site “Eight Falls”. Sorensen’s coefficient revealed that “Eight Falls” and “Matanda” shared most common species thus gained a similarity value of 0.71. Based in this study 81% (43 species) fall under the category of critically endangered, six are categorized as endangered, one as vulnerable and two species that are of lesser concern. Identified threats causing lost in biodiversity in this protected landscape are: collection of species for other uses, land conversion, ecotourism activities and water impoundment from waterfalls.

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