Diversity of Indigenous Fruit Tree Species in Selected Local Communities of Echague, Isabela, Philippines

Abstract

Indigenous fruit trees play a vital role in crop diversification and agroforestrysystem. It is also considered as a source of food and nutrition, and contributesto the income of rural people. However, indigenous fruit trees face deforestationand genetic erosion. Hence, this study determined the diversity of indigenousfruit tree species in selected local communities in Echague, Isabela. Selection ofstudy areas were based on the presence of target fruit tree species, peace and ordersituation, and accessibility. Sampling areas were determined using Point-CenterQuarter Method (PCQM).Identification of fruit tree species present in thedifferent areas was done to its species name. Collected representative plants were brought to the laboratory for identification and preservation. There were 21 fruit tree species identified belonging to the family Annonaceae, Rutaceae, Myrtaceae,Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Lauraceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae, Ebenaceae,Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, and Oxalidaceae. The species common to all thestudy areas are Annonamuricata L., Psidiumguajava L., Artocarpus heterophyllusLam., Citrus maxima (Merr.), Diospyros blancoi A. DC., and Sandoricum koetjape(Burm.f.) Merr. All the species identified occur sparingly in the different studyareas. These areas have distinct dominant and important fruit tree species. Speciesdiversity is high as shown by the different diversity parameters.Keywords: Ecology, indigenous fruit trees, dominant species, important species, speciesrichness, species diversity, abundance, density, frequency, Isabela, Philippines