Threatened Philippine plants in the Makiling Botanic  Gardens: A preliminary assessment

Leilani Castillo; Manuel Castillo; Leonardo Barua; Myranel Canceran; Ma. Ruffa Guab; Marlo Caña; Mae Belen Putian; Gillian Katherine Quilloy; Angela Limpiada; Aldin Alegre; Aldwin Labuanan; Ozzy Boy Nicopior; Karla Jane Gonzalvo; Marilyn Quimado; Edwino Fernando

Leilani A. Castillo Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Manuel L. Castillo Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Leonardo D. Barua Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Myranel S. Canceran Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Ma. Ruffa P. Guab Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Marlo M. Caña Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Mae Belen L. Putian Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Gillian Katherine I. Quilloy Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Angela A. Limpiada Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Aldin C. Alegre Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Aldwin L. Labuanan Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Ozzy Boy S. Nicopior Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Karla Jane P. Gonzalvo Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Marilyn O. Quimado Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Edwino S. Fernando Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines

Keywords: conservation, inventory, living collections, priority species

Abstract

The inventory of threatened plants inside the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG), Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) was conducted. The study aims to identify and assess Philippine threatened species based on the DENR Administrative Order 2017-11, including their status, number, and spatial distribution within the area. Following the GIS-Based Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (GAME) Model gridding system, the inventory covered 6.9 ha. The covered area comprises about 2.3% of the 300-ha area of MBG, including the Gardens, the Mudsprings, and the Makiling Rainforest Park (MRP). Trees with a minimum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5.0 cm were measured and mapped. Vines and orchids were counted and noted. Results of the initial inventory showed a diverse collection of threatened species. A total of 428 species, with 7,657 individuals, were inventoried. Of these, 110 species from 78 genera belonging to 37 families were recorded to be Philippine threatened plant species: 11 are categorized as critically endangered (CR), 21 species are endangered (EN), 53 species are vulnerable (VU), and 25 species are considered other threatened species (OTS). This represents about 11% of the 984 species in the Philippine threatened plant list. About 42% of these threatened species are endemic to the Philippines. Among the MMFR AHP’s points of interest, the Gardens has the most significant number of threatened species, followed by the Mudsprings and MRP. The results give the MBG its initial list of documented threatened species. The MBG should prioritize the conservation of its threatened species, including habitats, and implement programs to increase its living collections and develop propagation protocols to make these available for recovery and restoration programs. The study recommends conducting a continuous inventory of all threatened species in MBG.