Floral diversity of the lowland ultrabasic forest in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Isabela, Luzon, Philippines
Paper Details
Floral diversity of the lowland ultrabasic forest in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Isabela, Luzon, Philippines
Abstract
This study provides information on the floral diversity, endemism and conservation status of the lowland ultrabasic forest in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP), Palanan, Isabela, Northeast Luzon, Philippines, which is vital to the management of the protected area. A total of 266 plant species in 140 genera and 71 families were recorded consisting of 12 herbs, 18 lianas, 66 shrubs, 169 trees and an endemic-epiphytic woody parasite. The most diverse among the genera with the highest number of taxa were Syzygium (32 spp.), Palaquium (12 spp.), Garcinia (9 spp.), Glochidion (9 spp.), and Trigonostemon (5 spp.). Species richness was highest for family Myrtaceae (35 spp.) followed by Rubiaceae (23 spp.), Phyllanthaceae (17 spp.), Sapotaceae (16 spp.), and Euphorbiaceae (14 spp.). Forty-two (42) of the total families were represented by a single genus. Species endemism was high with 40% (107 spp.) Philippine endemics: four (4) were found endemic only to Isabela Province – one of which was recorded endemic only to Sierra Madre Natural Park while 23 were endemic only to Luzon Island. Thirty-nine (39) species are globally threatened: six (6) being critically endangered, four (4) endangered, 22 vulnerable and seven (7) near threatened.
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