Submitted by amonpong.k on Sun, 05/31/2026 - 00:31
Diversity of pteridophytes in a protected watershed, Mount Apo Natural Park, Cotabato, Philippines
  • 16 views

Issue

thnhmjournal vol20 no1

Authors

Cherie Cano-Mangaoang
Graduate School, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, 9407, Philippines / Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, 9407, Philippines
Diane Erika E. Tabar
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, 9407, Philippines
Rachel L. Zamora
Graduate School, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, 9407, Philippines/Protected Area Management Ofice, Mount Apo Natural Park, Kidapawan City, Cotabato, 9400, Philippines
Mark Jobert C. Ellaga
Graduate School, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, 9407, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract

Pteridophytes arevaluablebioindicators ofecosystem health, and their presence, particularly endemic and threatened species, can inform conservation strategies for protected areas. This study assessed pteridophyte diversity in the Saguing Watershed (western side of Mount Apo Natural Park, Mindanao, Philippines) across three ecosystem types: agricultural, tropical lowland evergreen and tropical lower montane forest formations. Eight 20 m x 20 m quadrats were established per ecosystem and analyzed diversity using Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index, Simpson’s Index, species richness, evenness, dominance, and abundance. Bray-Curtis similarity was used to compare species assemblages. A total of 70 pteridophyte species, spanning 32 genera and 15 families, were identified. The tropical lowland evergreen forestexhibited thehighestdiversity, with 59 species and 303 individuals, followed by agroforest (29 species) and montane forest (24 species). While Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index was generally low across all sites, the tropical lower montane forest displayed a more even distribution of pteridophyte populations. The study recorded eight endemics, four endangered, and one rare species within the watershed. Bray-Curtis similarity revealed a high similarity between tropical lower montane and tropical lowland evergreen forests (55–60%), while the agricultural ecosystem showed a distinct species composition (approximately 40% similarity to the other two). In conclusion, the Saguing Watershed is a crucial habitat for various pteridophyte species. However, the observed diversity indices suggest that its pteridophyte community structure may be vulnerable to environmental changes. It is then recommended to enhance habitat protection and monitoring through policy implementation and community involvement in watershed management.

Attachment

THNHMJ 20(1)-06.pdf

Keywords

Diplazium
ferns
lycophytes
tropical lowland evergreen forest
polypodiaceae

References

Amoroso, V.B., A.J.D. Lagumbay, R.A. Mendez, R.Y. De la Cruz and A.P. Villalobos. 2014. Bioactives in three Philippine edible ferns. Asia Life Sciences 23(2): 445–454.

Amoroso, V.B., F.M. Acma, R. Cruz, F.P. Coritico, A. Nietes, G. Hamo and H. Lumista. 2015. Diversity of herbaceous pteridophytes in four long-term ecological research sites in Mindanao, Philippines. Asia Life Sciences 24(1): 68–85. DOI: 10.5680/asia_life_sci_2015_24_1_68

Amoroso, V.B., F.P. Coritico and P.W. Fritsch. 2016. Species richness and conservation status of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Hamiguitan Range WildlifeSanctuary, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science 145(2): 17–23. DOI: 10.17348/jbrit.v16.i1.1247

Amoroso, V.B., F.P Coritico and F.W. Fritsch. 2020. Actinostachys minuta, a new species of grass ferns from Mindanao, Philippines. Phytokeys 151: 59–66. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.151.153100

Amoroso, V.B., M. Acola, M.M.M. Guiang, F.M. Acma, P.W. Fritsch and F.P. Coritico. 2023. A new species of grass fern, Schizaea erecta (Schizaeaceae), from Dinagat Island, Mindanao, Philippines.Phytotaxa 618(3): 265–273. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.618.3.4

Amoroso, V.B., M.M.M. Guiang, A.B. Mohagan, R.R. Patano Jr., F.P. Coritico, E.P.T. Maglangit, J.C. Nobleza and O.M. Nuñeza. 2022. Threatened and endemic flora and fauna from Mt. Agad-Agad, Iligan City, southern Philippines. NRCP Research Journal 21(2): 71–102.

Amoroso, V.B., Y.V.L. Cariño, J.C. Nobleza and F.C. Coritico. 2021. A new species of Actinostachys (Schzaeaceae) from Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa 508(1): 101–106. DOI: 10.11646/ phytotaxa.508.1.10

Amoroso,V.B.2007.PteridophyteandgymnospermdiversityinMusuan,Bukidnon.PhilippineJournal of Systematic Biology 1(1): 1–14.

Andas, S.T. 2015. Diversity of Trees and Pteridophytes in Pasonanca Natural Park, Zamboanga City. Ph.D. Dissertation. Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines: Central Mindanao University, Mindanao. 326 pp.

Banaticla, M.C.N. and I.E. Buot Jr. 2004. Fern patch structure and species diversity along the altitudinal gradient of Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, Luzon Island, Philippines. Philippine Agricultural Scientist 87: 49–60.

Barcelona, J.F., D.L. Nickrent, J.V. Lafrankie, J.R.C. Callado and P.B. Pelser. 2013. Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines: plant identification and conservation through cyber taxonomy. Philippine Journal of Science 142(special issue): 57–67.

Bergeron, A. and S. Pellerin. 2014. Pteridophytes as indicators of urban forest integrity. Ecological Indicators 38: 40–49. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.10.015

Cano-Mangaoang, C., B.L.P. Bretaña and V.B. Amoroso. 2020. Rapid assessment of epiphytic pteridophyte biodiversity in Mt. Apo Natural Park, North Cotabato Province, Philippines: a comparison of disturbed and undisturbed forests. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology 14: 1–13. DOI: 10.26757/pjsb2020c14004.

Coritico, F.C. 2024. Rediscovery of Ctenitis atrorubens Holltum (Dryopteridaceae) after more than a century, with notes on morphology, anatomy, and ecology. Philippine Journal of Science 152(1): 347–352. DOI: 10.1016/j.prep.2024.104058

Coritico, F.C. and V.B. Amoroso. 2020. Threatened lycophytes and ferns in four protected areas of Mindanao, Philippines. Nature Conservation Research 5(44): 78–88. DOI: 10.24189/ncr.2020.061

Coritico, F.P., V.B. Amoroso, F.M. Acma, Y.L.L. Cariño and P.W. Fritsch. 2020. Ferns and lycophytes of Mt. Tago Range, Bukidnon, Southern Philippines: speciesrichness, distribution and conservation status. Philippine Journal of Science 149(3-a): 773–790. DOI: 10.56899/149.3A.07

Cudal, M.G., L.G.L. Calimbo, D. Sumibay Jr., J. Salise, J. Gomez, M. Pagaling, J.M. Locson., J. Cahayagan,J.SenoandJ.N.Daculio.2021.Diversityofpteridophytes inMountTimolanProtected Landscape, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. Journal of Tropical Life Science 11(2): 621–170. DOI: 10.11594/jtls.11.02.05.

Delos Angeles, M.D., A.A. Alcala and I.E. Buot, Jr. 2020. Ecological diversity of pteridophytes across land use types in Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Luzon Island, Philippines. Journal of Marine and Island Cultures 9(2): 105–123. DOI: 10.21463/jmic.2020.09.2.08

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order [DAO]. 2017. Updated National list of Threatened Philippine Plants and Their Categories. Downloaded from http://www.denr.gov.ph. on 10 March, 2026

Fernando, E.S., M.H. Suh, J. Lee and D.K. Lee. 2008. Forest Formations of the Philippines. ASEAN-Korea Environmental Cooperation Unit. 232 pp.

Hirata, A., T. Kamijo and S. Saito. 2009. Host trait preferences and distribution of vascular epiphytes in a warm-temperate forest. Plant Ecology 201: 247–254. DOI: 10.1007/978-90-481-2795-5_19

Ho, R., T. Teai, J.P. Bianchini, R. Lafont and . Raharivelomanana. 2010. Ferns: from traditional uses to pharmaceutical development, chemical identifiation of active principles, pp. 321–346. In: Kumar, A., Fernández, H., Revilla, M. (eds). Working with Ferns. Springer, New York, NY. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7162-3_23

Hoovenkamp, P.H., M.T.M. Bosman, E. Hennipman, H.P. Nooteboom, G. Rödl-Linder and M.C. Roos. 1998. Polypodiaceae. Flora Malesiana Series 2(3): 1–234.

IUCN. 2025. The IUCN Rea list of the Threatened Species. Downloaded from https://www.iucnredlist. org/ on 15 November 2025.

Kessler, M. 2010. Biogeography of ferns, pp. 22–60. In: K. Mehltreter, L.R. Walker, J.M. Sharpe (eds.). Fern Ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Kluge, J., M. Kessler and R.R. Dunn. 2006. What drives elevational patterns of diversity? A test of geometric constraints, climate and species pool effects for pteridophytes on an elevational gradient in Costa Rica. Global Ecology Biogeograophy 15: 358–371. DOI: 10.1111/j.1466-822X.2006.00223.x

Madronero, M.A. 2013. Ex-situ Conservation and Diversity of Pteridophytes in One Hectare Plot in Mt. Apo, North Cotabato. BS Biology Thesis, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Magtoto, L.M. and C.M. Austria. 2018. The pteridophytes of Adams, Northern Luzon, Philippines and their ecosystem services. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biologists in the Philippines 11(2): 43–51.

Magurran, A.E. 1998. Ecological diversity and its measurements. Princeton University Press, Princeton. 192 pp. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-015-7358-0.

Muhammad, M., Z.S. Ismail, H. Schneider and J.A. Hawkins. 2020. Medicinal use of ferns: An ethnobotanical review. Sains Malaysiana 49(5): 1003–1014. DOI: 10.17576/jsm-2020-4905-05

Ong, P., L.E. Afuang and R.G. Rosell-Ambal. 2002. Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities: A Second Iteration of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 18–113 pp. In: P. Ong, L.E. Afuang, and R.G. Rosell-Ambal (eds.). Philippine Department of the Environmental and Natural Resources. Quezon.

Pelser, P.B., J.F. Barcelona and D.L. Nickrent. 2011. Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. Downloaded from www.philippineplants.org on March 11 2026

Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group I. 2016. A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns. Journal of Systematics and Evolution 54(6): 563–603. DOI: 10.1111/jse.12229. S2CID 39980610

Pyron, M. 2010. Characterizing communities. Nature Education Knowledge 3(10): 39.

Rufila, L.V., F.C. Coritico, H.P. Lumista, F.M. Acma, N.P. Mendez, J.C. Nobleza and V.B. Amoroso. 2022. Diversity of ferns and lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo, Southern Philippines. Ruhuna Journal of Science 13(2): 150–166. DOI: 10.4038/rjs.v13i2.122

Sharma, S., B.S. Kholia, R. Kumar and A. Kumar. 2017. Pteridophytic diversity in human-inhabited buffer sone of Murlen National Park, Mizoram, India. Checklist 13(2): 2081. DOI: https://doi. org/10.15560/13.2.2081

Silva, V.L., K. Mehltreter and J.L. Schmitt. 2018. Ferns as potential ecological indicators of edge effects in two types of Mexican Forests. Ecological Indicators 93: 669–676. DOI: 10.1016/j. ecolind.2018.05.029

Zapanta, B.R., M.J.M.M. Achondo, A.F.M. Raganas, F.A. Camino, A.G.D. Delima, J.A. Mantiquilla, R.P. Puentespina Jr. and F.R.P. Salvaña. 2019. Species richness of tress in disturbed habitats within a protected area and its implications for conservation: The case of Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Biodiversitas, 20: 2081–2091. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d200740.

Zotz, G., G. Mendieta-Leiva and K. Wagner. 2014. Vascular epiphytes at the treeline-composition of species assemblages and population biology. Flora—Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 209(8) 385–390. DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2014.06.001

41 Views.