Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP) is an important forest reserve in most part of Region XI and XII because of its watershed importance. However, the MANP may also threatened by habitat modification that may alter most of its water resource.… More

Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP) is an important forest reserve in most part of Region XI and XII because of its watershed importance. However, the MANP may also threatened by habitat modification that may alter most of its water resource. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the abundance of freshwater fish and analyze the physico-chemical properties like water temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), electric conductivity (EC), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the two major rivers of MANP. A total of six freshwater fishes consisting of four native and two introduced species were collected and identified in the two sampling stations. The native Barbodes binotatus (Valenciennes 1842) was found to be the most abundant in all the years the survey was conducted. The data on physico-chemical properties showed fluctuations in all year (2012-13 and 2015). High turbidity rate in Marbel River and high water temperature recorded in upper station of Matingao River could have influenced the collection and abundance of freshwater fishes. Shannon diversity index in Marbel River and Matingao River are very low with values of 0.69 (2012-2013); 0.68 (2015) and 0.70 (2012-2013); 0.70 (2015) for the two rivers, respectively. This could be attributed to anthropogenic activities, characteristics and physico-chemical properties of the river. Less

Forest litter is an important aspect for healthy forest ecosystems. Hence, this study monitored the litterfall production and turnover in the established two-hectare permanent plots in the three Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Sites in Mindanao, viz., Mt. Apo, Mt.… More

Forest litter is an important aspect for healthy forest ecosystems. Hence, this study monitored the litterfall production and turnover in the established two-hectare permanent plots in the three Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Sites in Mindanao, viz., Mt. Apo, Mt. Hamiguitan and Mt. Musuan. Litter samples were collected from 2w0 installed traps at each site and consequently sorted to components, processed and oven-dried. Data revealed that the estimated annual litter production was highest in Mt. Musuan with 11211.5 kg ha-1, followed by Mt. Apo with 6648.0 kg ha-1 and Mt. Hamiguitan with 4919.5 kg ha-1. Agathis philippinensis contributed the highest litterfall production in Mt. Apo, whereas Barringtonia racemosa and Artocarpus blancoi in Mt. Hamiguitan and Mt. Musuan, respectively. Highest litter turnover was observed in Mt. Musuan (5.35%/day). Litterfall production showed to have a positive correlation with temperature for Mt. Hamiguitan and Mt. Musuan. Among the studied sites, Mt. Musuan had the highest forest primary production. Results of this study support previous reports that lowland forests have high forest productivity. Further, there is a need to plant Philippine endemic and threatened trees, such as A. philippinensis since these prove to have high productivity as in the case of Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan. Less

The main and interaction effects on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical seavenging activity of two edible ferns in various food processing methods were investigated. Factors include fern species (Diplazium eculentum and Stenochlaena… More

The main and interaction effects on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical seavenging activity of two edible ferns in various food processing methods were investigated. Factors include fern species (Diplazium eculentum and Stenochlaena palustris), and type of processing methods at various levels (blanching at 80?C for 1, 2 and 3 minutes, boiling at 4, 5 and 6 minutes; freezing at 1, 2 and 3 weeks; microwave at 30, 60 and 90 seconds; oven dry at 70?C for 1, 3 and 5 hours; steaming at 8, 9 and 10 minutes; vacuum packaging at 1, 2 and 3 weeks and fresh as control) were studied. Main effects were based on fern species, process and levels while, interaction effects comprise the combinations of the main effects. Results revealed that the main and interaction effects to all parameters used were significantly different. D. esculentum has a higher TPC and TFC than S. palustris. However, S. palustris attained higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than D. esculentum. Among the processing methods, oven drying attained high TPC and TFC while steaming increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity. Both of these processes were best at low levels. Less

Philippines is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world, being home to most of the endangered species. It is important to give utmost attention to these plant taxa considered threatened, endemic, and economically important. The primary concern of this… More

Philippines is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world, being home to most of the endangered species. It is important to give utmost attention to these plant taxa considered threatened, endemic, and economically important. The primary concern of this study to provide data on the occurrence and distribution of the threatened seed plants in Mindanao. Determination of these seed plants was based mainly on existing literature. Likewise, field observations were done in selected mountains in Mindanao to validate the occurrence and conservation status of these plants listed in the Philippine database. A total of 190 species of threatened seed plants were reported from Mindanao comprising 180 angiosperm species and ten gymnosperm species. More than half (133 species) of these threatened plants are endemic to the Philippines; 46 are placed in the critically endangered category, 69 endangered and 67 vulnerable. The families Orchidaceae and Dipterocarpaceae contained the highest number of threatened species. The family Melastomataceae is distinctly noted to have species which are all endangered and endemic to the country. The highest occurrence of threatened seed plants was observed in Mt. Malindang, Misamis Occidental. It is concluded that Mindanao houses some threatened, endemic, and economic seed plants. Less