Floral Diversity and Habitat Assessment at Mt. Malarayat Brgy. Malitlit, Lipa City, Batangas

Abstract

Mountain ecosystem assessments are usually based on species or taxonomic groups, structural characters of forest ecosystems and/or biodiversity indicatorsderived from taxonomic variables. Amidst advanced science tools for speciesdiversity studies, forest biodiversity data in the light of ecology and taxonomy forpromoting conservation and enhancing biodiversity management especially in urban and urbanizing areas, are few. In Mt. Malarayat, Brgy. Malitlit, Lipa City,Batangas, a rapid plant diversity survey was conducted to provide the needed biodiversityinformation. An approximately 2.3 km BMS transect was established and all plant species were identified within the 10–meter width (5 meters from each side of thetrail). Height and diameter of trees with diameter of not less than10 cm were measured. Additional transect surveys, as wellas opportunistic approach, were conducted on other forested areas to accountfor other species outside the BMS. A total of 264 morpho–species, belonging to the seed plants (angiosperms and gymnosperms), ferns and their allies were recorded from the area. Results of the rapid plant survey revealed that Mt. Malarayat has high biodiversity value. Despite the limited survey time and efforts, the study also revealed that Mt. Malarayat is still home to a significant number of threatened, endemic, and indigenous forest tree speciesthat could contribute to overall health and balance of the city environment.The City’s effort to strengthen conservation and management of these precious resources is the key to biodiversity resilience in a city environment. The qualityof the environment depends on how these floral resources are managed andprotected against loss and extinction.