ASSESSMENT OF TREES AND VEGETATION COVER IN CALINTAAN ISLAND,

MATNOG, SORSOGON

Abitria, Mary Rose, Albuero, Irene, Atanacio, Nobe, Baltar, Elica Jana, Baylon, Febbie

Faye, Chan, Billy, Gosim, Sheila Mae, Jimenez, Francis Joseph King, Manalang, Rashel,

Mandapat, Mark Kevin, Maristela, Jill Prescious, Nicerio, Jar Romsal, Rabulan, Lyn Mae,

Villanueva, Mark, Zarate, Rhodelyn

Department of Biology

Bicol University College of Science, Legazpi City

ABSTRACT

An assessment of arbors and vegetation in Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon was done

to determine the present status of its diversity. In trees, a total of 295 individuals was recorded

using the quadrat sampling technique. The species, which was recorded from three stations,

belong to 38 different species and under 34 genera. Pterocarpus indicus stood out with 95.257%

importance value followed by Cocos nucifera (38.512%) and Shorea negronensis (26.323%).

These tree species are notably the most sought after trees because of their great quality in

lumber. Station 3 got the highest Shannon-Weiner Index of 2.69 followed by Station 1 with 2.59

and Station 2 with 2.44. It could be noted that a high Shannon-Weiner Index resulted to low

Simpson’s index. Thus, having low Simpson’s Index will yield a high Evenness index that will

give the status of species richness in the station. In vegetation, a total of 10,143 individuals of

plants was recorded from the 1 kilometer transect line using the line intercept technique that was

composed of three stations. The total number of individuals belongs to 56 different species

wherein 44 of which were identified that come from 41 genera. As of record, 12 species were

unidentified wherein one species was identified up to its family level only. High importance

value index was manifested on P. conjugatum (33.501%), A. aciculatus (32.491%) and

unidentified sp. 37 (26.910%). Station 2 had the highest diversity and evenness with 2.391 and

0.667, respectively and got the lowest Simpson’s index wherein there’s a very low chance that a

plant species will dominate. Stations 1 and 2 got the lowest H values. This primarily shows that

human interventions greatly affect the species richness of an area. Researchers recommend

further studies on the tree and vegetation cover of the island by adding more stations and

transects. Furthermore, frequent monitoring on the biodiversity status of the island is highly

recommended.

Introduction

Located at the Southern tip of Luzon,

the province of Sorsogon is the gateway to

the south of Philippines. Awed by the wild

vegetation around it, the succulent

environment of the forest and the idyllic

mixture of the wildlife's enchanting aura,

foreign tourists have dubbed it "Switzerland

of the Orient" (RFU5, Sorsogon).

Matnog, a third class, partially urban

municipality in the second district of

Sorsogon boasts its rolling hills and valleys

that are carpeted with varying foliage of

mostly untracked tropical soil and seen as a

humble town with affluent myriad of natural

sights. These are the unbounded strips of

pristine beaches along its coastline,

turquoise waters and thickly forested

mountains comprised together as an ultimate

destination for both leisure and adventure

tourism (LGU Profile, Matnog, Sorsogon,

2006).

Aside from agriculture, fishery and

mining, beach resorts and natural attractions

are also potential economic activities.

Indeed, nature has showered the province

with soon to be explored and pristine

tourists’ attractions including Calintaan

Island where undisturbed, serene white

beaches are located. Calintaan is really a

perfect site to study its trees and plant

biodiversity.

While plant conservation has found a

place in the global arena, efforts at the

national and local levels appear to be more

focused in the conservation of wild fauna.

Published studies about the Philippines'

vegetation/tree covers are still limited up to

date.

The Assessment of Trees and

Vegetation in Calintaan Island, Matnog,

Sorsogon was conducted using the Quadrat

Sampling Technique and Line Intercept

Technique, correspondingly. The quadrat

sampling allows the researcher to define a

fixed plot, within which plant characters can

be measured. It usually attempts to define

plant community characteristics for an area

much larger than the actual area sampled

(Gerardo et.al, 2007). On the other hand,

line intercept method is a common and

objective way to assess cover by laying

down a transect tallying up how much of a

plant intersects the transect. It is a popular

method used to estimate population density.

The probability density of perpendicular

sighting distances from randomly placed

transect lines are modeled to derive an

estimate population density (Gerardo et.al,

2007).

With this study it can fill up the

present knowledge of the Philippine plants

and trees which can provide information of

how many and what species are extinct,

threatened or near-threatened. It'll pave the

way for the construction of projects or

programs on plant resources conservation

and will inspire several individuals and

institutions to undertake activities/measures

to conserve Philippine flora. It will

eventually lead to the discovery of novel

compounds that could be useful in the

treatment of different diseases. Moreover,

this will fuel the influx for more researches

in Calintaan Island and other nearby islands

of Sorsogon and will serve as baseline of

data for future researchers.

In showcasing the diversity in size,

form, and color of the plants, the researchers

hope to give the opportunity to appreciate

the beauty of the Philippine forests. Such

awareness will hopefully translate into

protecting the very source of our food,

medicine, water, clothing, shelter,

electricity, and minerals.

In due time Calintaan Island will

progress into a tourism hub which may

greatly affect the ecosystem in the area.

Thus, the study generally aims to assess the

diversity of plants and trees in Calintaan

Island, Matnog, Sorsogon. It specifically

aims the following:

1. To identify the species of trees and

plants recorded;

2. To determine the relative density,

relative frequency, relative cover and

importance value of each species found in

the area; and

3. Evaluate the numerical means of

describing community composition using

the Shannon-Weiner Index, Simpson Index

of Dominance, Evenness Index and

Similarity Index.

Methodology

Sampling Site

Calintaan Island is a barangay in

Matnog, Sorsogon which is making waves

in terms of tourism arrival. Its center lies at

12°32'23"N and 124°6'26"E with an

elevation of 34 meters above sea level

(http://www.travelsradiate.com/asia/republic

-of-the-philippines/bicol/1720267-calintaan-

island.html). Figure 1 shows the map of

Calintaan Island in Matnog, Sorsogon.

Surrounded by pristine beaches and rolling

hills and valleys this island is surely a

tourist’s tropic getaway from the noise and

stress of the city.

For trees, three stations with 15

quadrats each that measures 10x10m was set

up (Fig.4), covering a total of 450 meters in

the arboreal region of Calintaan Island,

Matnog, Sorsogon. The three stations were

located in different areas of the island.

Station 1 (Fig. 1) was near the shoreline,

Station 2 (Fig. 2) was at the middle of the

forest and Station 3 (Fig.3) at the slope of

the hill.

The quadrats were established in an

alternating pattern on each side. All tree

species within the quadrats were identified

and counted. The diameter at breast high

was measured 1.3 meters above the ground.

Measurement was recorded in centimeters

and will be rounded to the nearest 0.1cm.

For vegetation cover, a 1 kilometer

transect line (Fig. 8) was laid out in

Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon.

Furthermore, it was divided into three

stations measuring 300 meters with a 50

meter interval from each station. Station 1

(Fig. 5) was found near the beach. On the

other hand, Station 2 (Fig. 6) at the

grassland portion of the forest and Station 3

(Fig. 7) at the top of the hill.

Figure 1 Station 1 Figure 2 Station 2 Figure 3 Station 3

Figure 4 Outline for Tree Sampling

150m

10x

10m

Plant species that intercept each line

were identified, counted and measured. Only

the plant species touched by the transect line

were recorded. Measurement was recorded

in centimeters and was rounded to the

nearest 0.1cm. Figure 10 shows a brief

structural pattern in the island.

The trees were identified by

collecting samples of leaves (some with

fruits/flowers) of each species and by taking

pictures of the tree and plant per se.

Identification was made through Co’s

Digital Flora of the Philippines which was

built on the late Mr. Leonardo L. Co’s

checklist of Philippine plants and his large

collection of plant photographs. Other

species were identified through books and

with the help of some researchers in UPLB

through the photos that were sent to them.

Others were identified with the help of

Herbarium specimens form Bicol University

Department of Biology.

Statistical Analysis

The following ecological formulas

were used to analyze the data gathered in the

study of trees.

Where:

DBH= Diameter at Breast Height

Figure 5 Station 1 Figure 6 Station 2 Figure 7 Station 3

1000

meters

300 m 50

m

Figure 8 Outline for Vegetation Cover

Sampling

The following ecological formulas

were used to analyze the data gathered in the

study of vegetation cover.

Shannon-Weiner Index of Diversity

Where:

H = the Shannon diversity index

Pi = fraction of the entire population made

up of species i

S = numbers of species encountered

∑ = sum from species 1 to species S

Simpson’s Index of Dominance

Where:

D= Simpson’s Index of Dominance

n = Number of individual per species

N= Total number of individuals of all

species

Evenness Index

Where:

H= Shannon-Weiner Index of Diversity

ln=Natural Log

N= Total number of species

Similarity Index

Where:

S= Similarity Index

K= Number of Species common to the 3

stations

A= Number of Species found in Station 1

B= Number of Species found in Station 2

C= Number of Species found in Station 3

Results and Discussion

A total of two hundred ninety-five

(295) individuals of trees was recorded from

the three stations, measuring 150 meters

each, in Calintaan Island, Matnog,

Sorsogon. The sampling was conducted

using the quadrat sampling technique. The

trees belong to thirty-eight (38) different

species and come from thirty-four genera

(34). These species come from twenty-seven

(27) families namely: Arecaceae (1),

Anacardiaceae (1), Apocynaceae (3),

Anonaceae (1) Boranginaceae (1),

Burseraceae (2), Cannabaceae (1),

Combretaceae (1), Clusiaceae (1),

Dilleniaceae (1). Dipterocarpaceae (2),

Euphorbiaceae (1), Fabaceae (3), Lamiaceae

(1), Lauraceae (1), Meliaceae (2),

Mimosaceae (1), Moringaceae (1),

Moraceae (6), Myrtaceae (1), Olaceae (1),

Palmaeae (1), Rutaceae (1), Sapindaceae (1),

Sapotacea (1), Sterculiaceae (1) and

Verbaceae (1).

It is shown in Table 1 that Cocos

nucifera has the highest number of

individuals (48) that is 16.271% of all tree

species collected. C. nucifera was evident

due to coco farming. Remnants of coconut

logging were also seen in the area. Shorea

negronensis comes next with forty two

individuals (42) that is 14.237 % relative

density and Alstonia scholaris with twenty-

eight (28) individuals or 9.4917%.

In the rate of occurrence in the

stations, it was C. nucifera that was the most

frequent with 14.814%. It is followed by S.

negronensis with 11.57% and A. scholaris

with 7.870%. In terms of relative cover, it

is Pterocarpus indicus that got the highest

with 87.70% which is listed as vulnerable by

the IUCN. Therefore, its population is

slowly declining and proper protection and

conservation must be enforced. C. nucifera

followed with 7. 426% and T. catappa with

3.268%.

The importance value weighs the

status of the tree species with respect to its

relative density, relative frequency and

relative cover. Thus, it is P. indicus that

stood out with 95.257 % importance value

followed by C. nucifera (38.512%) and S.

negronensis (26.323%). These tree species

listed are notably the most sought after trees

because of their great quality in lumber

especially P. indicus.

Figure 9 Comparison of the Ecological Indices in the 3

Stations

Figure 9 shows the comparison

between the different ecological indices in

the three stations. Station 3 got the highest

Shannon-Weiner Index of 2.69 followed by

Station 1 with 2.59 and Station 2 with 2.44.

It could be noted that a high Shannon-

Weiner Index resulted to low Simpson’s

index. Therefore, if a station is highly

diverse, it would have a low chance of

having a certain tree species that would

dominate the area. Thus, having low

Simpson’s Index will yield a high Evenness

index that will point out the species richness

in the station.

The Similarity Index value is 21%

since there are only four species that were

common in the three stations. Meaning,

there is a 21% chance of seeing common

species in the stations. With such value,

there is still a good variation of tree species

in Calintaan Island.

2.59

0.087

0.882

2.44

0.103

0.863

2.69

0.077

0.884

0 1 2 3

Evenness Index

Simspon's Index

Shannon-Weiner Index

Table 1 Tree Species Composition of Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon

Species CN ni RD RF RC IV

Pterocarpus indicus Narra 10 3.389830508 4.166667 87.700952 95.25745

Cocos nucifera Niyog 48 16.27118644 14.81481 7.42647837 38.51248

Shorea negronensis Mahogany 42 14.23728814 11.57407 0.51164404 26.32301

Alstonia scholaris Dita 28 9.491525424 7.87037 0.01639885 17.37829

Voacanga globosa Bayag-usa 24 8.13559322 7.407407 0.04989496 15.5929

Celtis luzonica Magabuyo 14 4.745762712 5.092593 0.00733997 9.845695

Artocarpus ovatus Anubing 11 3.728813559 4.62963 0.04468044 8.403124

Terminalia catappa Talisay 6 2.033898305 2.777778 3.26885456 8.080531

Vitex parviflora Molave 12 4.06779661 3.703704 0.02328686 7.794787

Mangifera indica Mango 9 3.050847458 4.166667 0.16561756 7.383132

Ficus stipulosa Balete 10 3.389830508 3.240741 0.14744034 6.778012

Gmelina arborea Gmelina 8 2.711864407 3.240741 0.539369 6.491974

Moringa oleifera Malunggay 6 2.033898305 2.314815 0.00766138 4.356375

Planchonella nitida Duklitan 6 2.033898305 2.314815 0.00114157 4.349855

Anona muricata Abokado 6 2.033898305 2.314815 0.00040294 4.349116

Plumeria rubra Kalachuchi 8 2.711864407 1.388889 5.1313E-05 4.100805

Ficus nota Tibig 4 1.355932203 1.851852 0.01579156 3.223576

Leucena glauca Ipil-ipil 4 1.355932203 1.851852 0.00766138 3.215445

Dillenia philippinensis - 4 1.355932203 1.388889 0.00038909 2.74521

Ptychosperma macarthurii Mcarthur palm 4 1.355932203 1.388889 5.3889E-05 2.744875

Artocarpus blancoi Antipolo 3 1.016949153 1.388889 0.00043188 2.40627

Artocarpus altilis Bread fruit 5 1.694915254 0.462963 0.00044699 2.158325

Sandoricum koetjape Santol 2 0.677966102 0.925926 0.05560705 1.659499

Cordia dichotoma Anonang 2 0.677966102 0.925926 0.00268869 1.606581

Canarium ovatum Pili 2 0.677966102 0.925926 0.00099598 1.604888

Persea americana Avocado 2 0.677966102 0.925926 0.00060392 1.604496

Shorea guiso - 2 0.677966102 0.925926 0.00013307 1.604025

Strombosia philippinensis Tamayuan 2 0.677966102 0.925926 8.6135E-05 1.603978

Psidium guajava Bayabas 2 0.677966102 0.925926 2.9108E-05 1.603921

Nephelium lappaceum Rambutan 1 0.338983051 0.462963 0.00176443 0.80371

Tamarindus inidca Sampalok 1 0.338983051 0.462963 0.0013347 0.803281

Antiaris toxicaria Upas 1 0.338983051 0.462963 0.00029187 0.802238

Calophyllum inophyllum Palomaria 1 0.338983051 0.462963 0.00019963 0.802146

Citrus decumana Lucban 1 0.338983051 0.462963 0.00011718 0.802063

Balakata luzonica Balakatgubat 1 0.338983051 0.462963 4.8841E-05 0.801995

Gliricidia sepium Madredecacao 1 0.338983051 0.462963 4.6468E-05 0.801992

Aglaia edulis langsatan 1 0.338983051 0.462963 4.6468E-05 0.801992

Guazuma ulmifolia Guazuma 1 0.338983051 0.462963 1.7525E-05 0.801964

295 100 100 100 300

Legend:

CN= Common Name ni= Number of Individuals RD= Relative Density RF= Relative Frequency RC= Relative Cover

IV= Importance Value

Table 2 Plant Species Composition of Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon

Species CN ni RD RF RC IV

Paspalum conjugatum Carabao grass 1388 13.684314 5.1470588 14.670269 33.501642

Andropogon aciculatus Amorseko 2452 24.174307 1.8382353 6.4790165 32.491559

37 - 663 6.5365277 1.1029412 19.270582 26.910051

Eleusine indica Paragis 994 9.799862 4.7794118 7.8807776 22.460051

Imperata cylindrica Cogon 1066 10.509711 2.9411765 7.7420548 21.192942

Wedelia biflora Agunoi 920 9.0702948 1.1029412 10.939286 21.112522

Paspalum paspaloides Knot grass 691 6.8125801 3.6764706 6.8469623 17.336013

Saccharum spontaneum Talahib 430 4.2393769 2.9411765 5.9650815 13.145635

Elephantopus sp. - 191 1.8830721 2.9411765 1.8925757 6.7168242

Sphaerostephanos unitus - 184 1.814059 3.3088235 1.0939286 6.2168111

Terminalia catappa Talisay 42 0.4140787 2.5735294 2.5525 5.5401081

2 - 31 0.3056295 4.7794118 0.33888 5.4239213

Epipremnum pinnatum Amlong 60 0.591541 3.6764706 1.0701475 5.3381591

Borreria laevis Button weed 42 0.4140787 4.0441176 0.3606793 4.8188757

Ficus ulmifolia Pakiling 71 0.6999901 2.9411765 1.1256366 4.7668033

Cyathula prostrata Dayang 220 2.1689835 1.8382353 0.2906573 4.2978762

Dynaria quercifolia Oak leaf fern 45 0.4436557 2.9411765 0.832337 4.2171691

4 - 9 0.0887311 4.0441176 0.0363322 4.169181

Desmodium triflorum Beggar weed 48 0.4732328 3.3088235 0.1585404 3.9405967

Euphorbia tithymaloides Milk hedge 48 0.4732328 2.5735294 0.856118 3.9028802

Bauhinia sp. Ebony 67 0.6605541 0.7352941 2.4785145 3.8743627

Ipomoea triloba Little bell 67 0.6605541 2.2058824 0.8409246 3.707361

Chamaesyce maculata Sand mat 98 0.9661836 1.8382353 0.7768478 3.5812667

Mimosa pudica Makahiya 33 0.3253475 2.5735294 0.4795846 3.3784616

Ficus pseudopalma Lubi-lubi 17 0.1676033 2.2058824 0.9545452 3.3280308

Lygodium circinnatum Agsam 39 0.3845016 2.5735294 0.3349165 3.2929476

Sauropus androgynus Asin-asin 21 0.2070393 1.8382353 0.4855299 2.5308045

Nicotiana tabacum Tabako 30 0.2957705 1.1029412 1.0899651 2.4886767

Manihot esculenta Cassava 12 0.1183082 1.8382353 0.4835481 2.4400916

Dennstaedtia sp. - 33 0.3253475 1.4705882 0.1089965 1.9049323

33 - 23 0.2267574 1.4705882 0.0911607 1.7885063

Breynia sp. - 16 0.1577443 1.4705882 0.1268323 1.7551648

36 - 3 0.029577 1.1029412 0.4558036 1.5883218

9 - 8 0.0788721 1.4705882 0.0369928 1.5864531

Hyptis capitata Pansi-pansi 7 0.0690131 1.4705882 0.0462409 1.5858423

62 - 14 0.1380262 1.1029412 0.1109783 1.3519457

Cynodon dactylon Bermuda 14 0.1380262 1.1029412 0.0924819 1.3334493

unidentified sp. - 3 0.029577 1.1029412 0.0217993 1.1543175

Leea guineensis Mali-mali 6 0.0591541 0.7352941 0.0594526 0.8539009

Centella asiatica Tengang daga 4 0.0394361 0.7352941 0.0554891 0.8302193

Psidium guajava Bayabas 2 0.019718 0.7352941 0.0581315 0.8131436

Pterocarpus indicus Narra 4 0.0394361 0.7352941 0.0317081 0.8064383

Alstonia scholaris Dita 2 0.019718 0.7352941 0.0277446 0.7827567

Dichanthium aristatum Alabang X 2 0.019718 0.7352941 0.0013212 0.7563333

50 - 4 0.0394361 0.3676471 0.0660585 0.4731416

Colocasia esculenia Gabi 3 0.029577 0.3676471 0.0733249 0.470549

Ficus botryocarpa - 3 0.029577 0.3676471 0.0554891 0.4527132

Nechamandra sp. - 3 0.029577 0.3676471 0.0297263 0.4269504

Sandoricum koetjape Santol 1 0.009859 0.3676471 0.035011 0.4125171

68 - 2 0.019718 0.3676471 0.0184964 0.4058615

Homalanthus populneus Poplar 1 0.009859 0.3676471 0.0204781 0.3979842

Pteridium aquilinum - 1 0.009859 0.3676471 0.0171752 0.3946813

46 - 1 0.009859 0.3676471 0.0145329 0.3920389

Phyllantus niruri Surusampalok 2 0.019718 0.3676471 0.0039635 0.3913286

44 - 1 0.009859 0.3676471 0.0099088 0.3874148

Cyperus rotundus Burubutones 1 0.009859 0.3676471 0.0039635 0.3814696

10143 100 100 100 300

Legend:

CN= Common Name ni= Number of Individuals RD= Relative Density RF= Relative Frequency RC= Relative Cover

IV= Importance Value

A total of 10, 143 individuals of

plants was recorded from the 1 kilometer

transect line that was composed of three

stations measuring 300 meters each, in

Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon. The

study was conducted using the line intercept

technique. The total number of individuals

belongs to fifty-six (56) different species

wherein forty-four (44) of which were

identified that come from forty-one (41)

genera. They came from twenty-four (24)

families namely: Amaranthaceae (1),

Araceae (2), Apocynaceae (1), Asteraceae

(2), Combretaceae (1), Convulvolaceae (1),

Cucurbitaceae (1), Cyperaceae (1),

Dennstaedtiaceae (1), Euphorbiaceae (4),

Fabaceae (4), Laminaceae (1), Meliaceae

(1), Moraceae (4), Myrtaceae (1),

Phyllanthaceae (3), Poaceae (8),

Polypodiaceae (1), Rubiaceae (1),

Solanoceae (1), Schizaeaceae (1),

Thelypteridaceae (1), Umbelliferae (1) and

Vitaceae (1). As of record, twelve (12)

species were unidentified wherein one (1)

species was identified up to its family level

only which was under Asteraceae.

Based on table 2, Andropogon

aciculatus has the most number of

individuals (2452) and the densest of all

plants recorded with 24.174%. Paspalum

conjugatum was represented by 1388

individuals or accounted for 13.684% of all

plants. Imperata cylindrica was represented

by 1066 individuals or 10.509% of all

individuals. While Eleusine indica has 994

individuals that constitute 9.799% of all

plants recorded. It can be noted that these

plant species which have the highest number

of individuals and relative density belong to

the Poaceae family. On the other hand,

Wedelia biflora, which belongs to

Asteraceae family, with 920 individuals

have 9.070%. The plant species mentioned

are found throughout the Philippines.

In terms of the rate of occurrence, P.

conjugatum occurred the most in the three

stations with a relative frequency of 5.147%.

It was followed by E. indica and

unidentified sp. 2 with 4.779%. Coming

third were B. laevis and unidentified sp.4

with 4.044%.

The species that dominated the

transect line were unidentified sp. 37

(19.270%), P. conjugatum (14.670%), W.

biflora (10.938%), E. indica (7.880%), I.

cylindrica (7.742%) and P. paspaloides

(6.846%). It is noted that all these identified

species that are dominant in the three

stations belong to the Poaceae family except

for W. biflora. E. inidica is a very

widespread species which is common in

many localities and is tolerant with many

disturbances. Considering this, the species

was listed as least concern by the IUCN in

2011.

One important tool to know the

structure of the species in an area is to

measure the importance value of each

species. Importance value (IV) does not

necessarily imply the natural significance of

the organism in the community for a specific

purpose but it signifies the physical structure

of the community. Moreover, it gives an

equal weight to relative density, relative

frequency and relative dominance factors

(Peyra et.al, 2011). High importance value

index was manifested on P. conjugatum

(33.501%), A. aciculatus (32.491%),

unidentified sp. 37 (26.910%), E. indica

(22.460%) and I. cylindrica (21.192%).

Again, it is noted that the identified species

with the highest important value come from

Poaceae family.

Indeed, the Poaceae, which

comprised 69.377% of plant species

collected, is the plant family wherein the

number of individuals, relative frequency,

relative density, relative dominance and

importance value are relatively high.

The most relative frequent species

show that they were the most recurring

species. Species with the most relative

density imply that they were the most

prevailing. A high relative dominance

indicates that the plant species have the

highest area covered. Thus, high importance

value signify that the plant species was the

most dominant, diverse and distributed

along the transect line (Biosummerians,

2010).

Figure 8 Summary of Ecological indices in the Three

Stations in Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon

Fig. 8 summarizes the ecological

indices in the three stations. In Station 1 and

3, low Shannon-Weinner Index value

resulted in high Simpson’s Index value.

Using the Simpson’s range of 0 to 1 where 0

is the lowest and 1 as the highest, there is a

low diversity, there is a very good chance

that certain plant species dominate in the

said stations. On the other hand, in Station 2

high H value yielded to low D value.

Therefore, there’s a very low chance that

certain plant species dominate Station 2.

Then, if there’s a low D value, it will yield

to a high Evenness Index and the other way

around. Thus, there is a low chance for plant

species to dominate a station and will result

to higher species richness will be observed

in the area.

There were twelve (12) plant species

common in the three stations. The index

similarity value is 0.375. Meaning, there is a

37.5% of chance of having similar species in

all the stations. There is quite a good chance

2.057

0.268

0.583

2.391

0.14

0.667

1.952

0.186

0.598

0 1 2 3

1

2

3 Evenness Index

Simspon's Index

Shannon-Weiner Index

of having plant species to be present in a

given area. Concluding, it’ll have low

variation which is maybe due to the different

human activities in the area that could’ve

disturbed the vegetation cover of Calintaan

Island. This primarily shows that human

intervention greatly affects the species

richness of an area (Peyra et.al. 2011).

Conclusions and Recommendations

A total of two hundred ninety-five (295)

individuals of trees was recorded in

Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon. The

trees belong to thirty-eight (38) different

species and come from thirty-four genera

(34).

In the characterization of species

based on their relative density C. nucifera

was the highest with 16.271% the said

species was also highest in relative

frequency with 14.814% and got 7.426%

relative cover. Its importance value is

38.512%. It followed by S. negronensis with

14.237% and importance value of 26.323%

and A. scholaris with 9.491% relative

density. With relative frequency, coming

after C. nucifera is A. scholaris with 7.870%

and V. geobosa with 7.407%. P. indicus got

the highest relative cover with 87.70% and

importance value of 95.257 %. Coming third

on relative cover is T. catappa with 3.268%.

These tree species listed are notably the

most sought after trees because of their great

quality in lumber especially P. indicus.

Station 3 was the most diverse with

even tree species distribution with 2.69 and

0.884, respectively. Though, it has the

lowest Simpson’s value of 0.077. It is

followed by Station 1 with 2.59 Shannon-

Weiner value, 0.882 Evenness value and

0.087 Evenness value. Lastly, Station 2 with

an H value of 2.44, e value of 0.863 and D

value of 0.103.

In vegetation cover, total of 10, 143

individuals of plants was recorded from the

1 kilometer transect line that was composed

of three stations measuring 300 meters each,

The total number of individuals belongs to

fifty-six (56) different species wherein forty-

four (44) of which were identified that come

from forty-one (41) genera and twelve (12)

unidentified species.

A.Aciculatus was the densest with

24.174% it also got 1.83% relative

frequency and 32.491% importance value.

P. conjugatum got 13.684% relative density,

5.147% relative frequency, 14.670% relative

cover and 33.50% importance value. I.

cylindrica got 10.509% relative density.

Unidentified species 37 got a relative cover

and importance value of 19.270% and

26.910%, respectively. E. indica got a

relative frequency of 4.799% while B. laevis

and unidentified sp. 4 both got 4.044%.

Station 2 had the highest diversity

and evenness among the three stations with

2.391 and 0.667, respectively. But, it got the

lowest Simpson’s index. Therefore, there’s a

very low chance that certain plant species

dominate Station 2. While on Stations 1 and

2, which got the lowest H values, there’s a

good chance that certain plant species

dominate the stations. Then, there is high

species richness in Station 2 than in Stations

1 and 3.

The Similarity Index value on arbors

is 21% since there are only four species that

were common in the three stations.

Meaning, there is a 21% chance of seeing

common species in the stations. In

vegetation, there is a 37.5% of chance of

having similar species in all the stations.

There is quite a good chance of having plant

species to be present in a given area.

Concluding, it’ll have low variation which is

maybe due to the different human activities

in the area that could’ve disturbed the

vegetation cover of Calintaan Island. This

primarily shows that human intervention

greatly affects the species richness of an

area (Peyra et.al. 2011).

The researchers further recommend

that the number of stations, number of

transects/plots and sampling time should be

lengthened for a more comprehensive data

gathering and analysis. Moreover, other

factors affecting the abundance of the trees

in the area such as elevation and soil

composition should be taken into

consideration.

The tourism arrival in Calintaan

Island will surely affect the diversity of the

area. As more people try to visit the island,

there is more likely a chance for the area to

be exploited. Both locals and tourists should

be aware in the maintenance and protection

of the current state of the island.

References

Arcega, C.V.”Status of plant biodiversity in

Mt. Malarayat, Batangas, Philippines.”

Asian Journal of Biodiversity. Vol. 2. 2011

Arsenio, J., Medecilo, M., Mercardo, E.,

Salibay, E.J., Valera, F.A.”Vegetation

analysis of Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas,

Philippines”. International Conference on

Environment and Industrial Innovation.

Vol.12. 2011

Barcelona, J.F. 2002. Philippine

pteridophyte collections as a resource for

conservation planning. Fern Gazette 16(6–

8): 307–312.

Brewer, R. 1994. The Science of Ecology,

2nd

edition. Saunders College Publishing

Harcourt Brace College Publishers, USA. p.

2. Ibid

. p. 296.

Biosummerians. 2010. Bicol University

College of Science

Brown, W.H. 1919. Vegetation of

Philippine mountains; the relation between

the environment and physical types of

different altitudes. Bureau of Science,

Manila.

Castillo, E.T., Siapno, F.E., Sambrana,

D.G., De Leon, N.p., Silvoza,

E.Q.,”Grassland species with medicinal

potentials”. Research Information Series on

Ecosystems. Vol.17(1-3). 2005.

Claire. (2011). Subic Beach and Tikling

Island: Matnog’s hidden gems.

Postedin: archives, articles, beaches and

islands, Bicol featured articles, Philippines,

Sorsogon.http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.c

om/subic-beach-and-tikling-island-matnogs-

hidden-gems/

Cummings, J. and Smith, D.”The line-

intercept method: a tool for introductory

plant ecology laboratories’. Department of

Biology Instruction and Agriculture

education, Clemson University. 2001.

International Union for Conservation of

Nature. http://iucn.org

Kenoyer, L. A. (1929). General and

successional ecology of the lower tropical

rainforest at Barro Colorado Island, Panama.

Ecology 10:201-222.

Langenberger, G.”Ecology of tropical

forest systems: forest vegetation studies on

the foothills of Mt. Pangasugan, Leyte,

Philippines’.Deutsche Gesell Schaft fur

Technische Zusammenarbeit.2000.

Langenberger, G.”A review of research on

Philippine forest vegetation, particularly

work since 1990.”Agham Mindanaw. Vol

2.pp.11-24.2004

LGU Profile. Matnog, Sorsogon

Merill, E.D.1905. A review of identification

of species described in Blanco’s Flora de

Filipinas. Bureau of Public printing, Manila.

Mittermeier, R.A., Myers N., Gil, P.R.,

Mittermeier, C.G., 1999. Hotspots: Earth’s

biologically richest and most endangered

terrestrial ecosystems. Conservation

International, Mexico City.

Molles, M. C. (2005). Concepts and

applications, 3rd

edition. McGrawHill

Companies Inc., New York. p. 23.

Peyra, R.J., Barcoma, D., Jacob,S.,

Mendoza,R., Ratallo, L., Rusit,

E.”Assessment of tree species in Atulayan

Island, Camarines Sur, Philippines.”

Department of Biology, Bicol University.

2011.

Philippine Plant Conservation Strategy

and Action Plan

RFU 5 Sorsogon. Sorsogon province

website.

Tarozzi, A. (1996). A herbarium.

http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/herb/herb.ht

m Villete, M., “Assessment of arbors in

watershed area of Mariroc, Tabaco,

Albay”.Bicol University, College of

Science.2011.

Whitford, H.N. 1911. Forest types and

products the principal forest trees.

Department of the Interior Bureau of

Forestry, Manila.

Zamora, P.M. and Co, L. 1986. Guide to

Philippine flora and fauna, Vol II. Natural

Resources Management Center, Quezon

City.