Tree Species Diversity in Secondary Forest of Visayas State University Forest Reservation, Philippines

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine species diversity and similarity within a two-hectare secondary forest of the Visayas State University forest reservation. The diversity value of trees ranged from 3.09 - 4.53. Results of the study indicate that the middle layer of both blocks was observed as the most luxuriant among all layers. A total of 173 species in 113 genera and 51 families; and 92 species, in 69 genera and 37 families were recorded in the middle layer of Block 1 and Block 2, respectively. The genus Ficus of the family Moraceae was identified as the most highly represented in terms of species in both blocks. Moreover, results of the study show that species richness increased within an increasing area but with a decreasing number of species. As to species similarities, it was discovered that 28% of the identified specieds are common to both blocks.