Geographic Information System Based Floral and Faunal Assessment of Alapang Communal Forest of Benguet, Philippines

  • Lumbres, Roscinto Ian C. (Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University) ;
  • Palaganas, Jennifer A. (College of Forestry-Benguet State University) ;
  • Micosa, Sheryll C. (College of Forestry-Benguet State University) ;
  • Besic, Elvira D. (College of Forestry-Benguet State University) ;
  • Laruan, Kenneth A. (College of Forestry-Benguet State University) ;
  • Yun, Chung-Weon (Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University) ;
  • Lee, Young-Jin (Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University)
  • Received : 2010.10.05
  • Accepted : 2010.10.11
  • Published : 2010.10.30

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the existing flora and fauna, and to develop a spatial map of Alapang communal forest located in the province of Benguet, Philippines. A total of 52 species belonging to 27 families were identified during the inventory in this communal forest using the quadrat method while a total of 30 species belonging to 18 families were recorded using line intercept technique for the assessment of grasses, herbs, vines and other low-lying vegetation. The diversity index of the species in Alapang communal forests using the quadrat method was 2.6649 while for the line intercept technique it was 2.5446. The most dominant species in this area was found to be Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon (Benguet pine) under Family Pinaceae with an importance value of 106.74%. In the faunal assessment, four species of birds and a small mammal particularly a rodent were identified during the study. Aside from the high species diversity of this communal forest, the presence of endemic and indicator species in the area denotes that this forest was still in good condition hence must be protected. Spatial maps and database system were generated based from data gathered in the field using Geographic Information System (GIS).

Keywords

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