Bachelor of Science in Forestry

Abstract

The researchers conducted a 100% inventory of trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of at least 5cm at Brgy. Maligaya, Dilasag, Aurora. The parameters measured during the data gathering were DBH (obtained at 1.3m from the ground), merchantable height, total height, and remarks on its location. Species identification was done in the field based on the morphological characteristics of the trees, and the diversity of the trees was computed using a Shannon and Simpson index. Diversity values were interpreted using the scheme of the Fernando Biodiversity Scale (Fernando, 1998). Species invasiveness was assessed using the paper by Joshi (2006), while the conservation status was based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2021) and DENR Administrative Order No. 11, series of 2017. The equations used in estimating the above-ground biomass of trees was the Brown (1997) equation that were found suitable to tropically moist climatic zone. The percentage comparisons of Shannon (diversity), Simpson (evenness), and Brown (carbon stock) were used to summarize the results.

As to the results, the species composition was mainly planted fruit trees and palms like Mango (Mangifera indica), Bunga (Areca catechu), Pakak (Artocarpus heterophyllus), and Santol (Sandoricum koetjape). Among the abundant tree species present are the commonly planted Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) and the fast-growing Yemane trees (Gmelina arborea). Most are non-endemic with the general ecological status of Least Concerned (LC) with few under Vulnerable (VU) status. Results of Shannon's index showed that the overall diversity is 3.01 which was interpreted with a High-value index. By comparing the indices per Purok, Purok 7 has the highest value (3.02) with High verbal interpretation based on Fernando's scale. Other Purok have a Very Low to Moderate diversity index. The evenness index by Simpson showed that the area is not much with a variety of species with a very low (0.082) value. Lastly, the carbon stock assessment showed the contribution of the rural barangay to the world's carbon stock with a total of 622,692.85 tons of biomass.