World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

SURVEY OF VASCULAR EPIPHYTES IN SELECTED AREAS IN ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES

*Romenick Alejandro Molina and Roldan T. Echem

ABSTRACT

Epiphytes are considered to be as one of the most important component in a forest since they accumulate biomass, serve as habitat for some animals, help in water and other nutrient cycle and possess aesthetic value. However, trees in the forests face different threats like illegal logging, thus epiphytes are also affected, since they live in the bark surface of the trees. There are limited studies in epiphytes, specifically in Asia because of their hardly habitat and methods to use. This study aims to make an inventory and baseline data of vascular epiphytes in Zamboanga Peninsula. The study was carried in La Paz Tree Park (Site 1) and Pasonanca Natural Park (Site 2). A purposive sampling was carried in the selection of host trees, since the study sites are considered as secondary forest. The sampled trees were identified by an expert. Closed observation was used in counting of vascular epiphytes grow in the base and trunk of the trees. While the counting of vascular epiphytes which grow in the branches of the host trees was aided through the use of binoculars. Vascular epiphytes were identified through photograph, sample leaves and flowers. When data subjected for cluster analysis, Bagtikan (sample 3) has the unique vascular epiphytes in site 1 while Acacia (samples 8 and 10) has the unique vascular epiphytes in site 2. The most abundant species in site 1 is Pyrrosia lingua, while the least abundant is the Dryopteris sparsa and Epipremnum pinnatum. While in site 2, the most abundant species is the Pyrrosia lingua, while the least abundant is the Nephrolepis exaltata. Site 1 obtained high value in Margalef’s Index of Richness (1.929) and Shannon’s Diversity Index (2.319), while site 2 obtained high value in Simpson’s Index of Dominance (0.1229). The two sites obtained a similarity index of 0.57.

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