The regenerating forest of Magbukún Aeta in Morong Bataan, Philippines: A Biological Hotspot for Protection and Conservation

Abstract

This research focused on the study of a tropical semi-evergreen rain forest community structure within the ancestral domain of the Aetas in Morong, Bataan. Point-Centered Quarter Method (PCQM) was used where five 200 m transects were laid across a 28-ha study site. Trees with ≥1cm diameter at 1.3 m from the ground (Diameter at breast height (DBH)) were sampled. Trees encountered were categorized into four groups: seedlings, saplings, pole trees and standard trees based on girth classes. A total of 76 tree species belonging to 61 genera and 35 families were recorded. The most represented family was Moraceae, followed by Dipterocarpaceae, Sapindaceae and Lauraceae. The species with highest importance percentage (IP) were Shorea contorta Vidal (Dipterocarpaceae) (IP=9.731), Macaranga tanarius (L.) Muell.-Arg (Euphorbiaceae) (IP= 5.659) and Canarium europhyllum G. Perkins (Burseraceae) (IP= 4.538). Very high values of species diversity were calculated (H’= 3.817; D’= 0.968). The area was previously a dipterocarp forest and can now be classified as a young regenerating forest, composed primarily of seedlings many of which are dipterocarps. There were 17 threatened species, including two critically endangered and two endangered species (listed in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2017-3) and DAO (2017-11) as well as twelve endemic species identified as present in the area. This forest is a biological hotspot that needs utmost protection and conservation.