Spatial distribution of threatened mother tree species in selected forests over limestone in Samar Island, Philippines

Abstract

Inadequate knowledge about forests over limestone ecosystem and understanding on how the threatened plants’ mother trees (MTs) are distributed and remained intact despite rugged topography and anthropogenic activities, intrigued the attention of numerous researchers. Rapid assessment and mapping the spatial distribution of mother trees would be of utmost importance, especially in the context of conservation and sustainable protection of threatened species in selected municipalities of Samar Island. A total of 170 mother trees comprising 21 families, 22 genera and 35 species were recorded at sites. Species identified among sites were categorized under critically endangered (CR), endangered (EN) vulnerable (VU) and near threatened (NT) at elevation ranging from 150 to 300 meters above sea level (m asl). Trees tagged in the study sites possess straight cylindrical bole with average diameter at breast height (DBH) of 50 cm. Dipterocarp species were the most dominant in the sites. Hopea samarensis, a species endemic to Samar and also identified as endangered, was recorded in the study. The distribution of MTs was floristically similar among sites. However, anthropogenic small-scale disturbances were observed. The increasing population of locals may increase the demand for timber, thus, in-situ conservation through geo-tagging of MTs is crucial for maintenance and conservation.