Fern Diversity of the Mossy Forest Remnants of the Bsu-Agroforestry Project, Bektey, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet

Abstract

The study identified the fern species existing in the mossy forest remnants of BSU Agroforestry Project, Bektey, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet and determined their abundance (density), dominance rank and economic importance. A total of 18 species of ferns were recorded in the study site.

In terms of number, Pneumatopteris nitidula is the most abundant, followed in descending order by Pteridium aqui/inum, Dicranopteris spp., Davallia so/ida, Dicranopteris /inearis, Pneumatopteris g/abra, Am· phineuron terminans, Dipteris cojugata, Christel/a parasitica, Cyathea contaminans, Angiopteris pa/mfformis, Pteris glaucoverins, Araiostegia davalloides, X1 (unindentified), Blechnum spp., and Angiopteris evecta. Dryopteris costalisora and X2 (unindentified) have the least density. In terms of the overall sum dominance ratio (SOR) Cyathea contaminans is the most dominant, followed in descending order by Pteridium aqui/inum, Pneumatopteris nitidula, Dicranopteris spp., Christel/a parasitica, Davallia solida, Angiopteris evecta Dicranopteris linearis, B/echnum spp., Am· phineuron terminans, Araiostegia davalloides, Angiopteris palmiformis, Pneumatopteris glabra and Dipteris cojugata. The non-dominant species are X2(unindentified), X1 (unindentified), Pteris glaucoverins, and Dryopteris costalisora.

The identified economic importance of ferns includes the following: used as food. medicine, ornamental plants, materials for stage decorations, raw materials in posts, and poles. Weaving and novelty industries.

Follow up study to validate the identity of the encountered species, identify the two unidentified species, and further determine the economic importance of the species is recommended.