Diversity Assessment of Pteridophytes: Species Richness, Environmental Correlates and Its Uses in Hinulugan Falls

This study entitled “Diversity Assessment of Pteridophytes: Species Richness, Environmental Correlates and Its Uses in Hinulugan Falls” aimed to identify the different species of Pteridopytes, determine the species richness and environmental correlated and to determine its ethno-medicinal uses. Opportunistic random sampling technique or visual encounter technique and transect walk technique were used to gather data. Species identification were identified with the help of Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines and diversity of pteridophytes were determined using Simpson’s Diversity Index. Environmental correlates or predictor such as soil analysis and soil pH was done on laboratory with the assistance from the Municipal Agriculture Office. Fourteen (14) species of pteridophytes were found in Hinulgan Falls. Among the types of habitat identified, the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were in the lower stream and the lowest species richness were at the upper stream. Furthermore, in terms of diversity index the highest diversity index were at the lower stream and the midstream and the lowest diversity index were at the upper stream. Among the pteridophytes collected from site were used to cure common ailments such as wounds and skin disease and were applied directly using the leaves of the plants. The pteridophytes have higher species richness in lower and midstream in loamy type of soil having a soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and have lowest species richness in upperstream with a clay loamy types of soil with a ph of 6.8 which is slightly acidic. Such environmental predictors such as soil type and soil ph have no impact on the species richness and diversity of pteridophytes. This study entitled “Diversity Assessment of Pteridophytes: Species Richness, Environmental Correlates and Its Uses in Hinulugan Falls” aimed to identify the different species of Pteridopytes, determine the species richness and environmental correlated and to determine its ethno-medicinal uses. Opportunistic random sampling technique or visual encounter technique and transect walk technique were used to gather data. Species identification were identified with the help of Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines and diversity of pteridophytes were determined using Simpson’s Diversity Index. Environmental correlates or predictor such as soil analysis and soil pH was done on laboratory with the assistance from the Municipal Agriculture Office. Fourteen (14) species of pteridophytes were found in Hinulgan Falls. Among the types of habitat identified, the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were in the lower stream and the lowest species richness were at the upper stream. Furthermore, in terms of diversity index the highest diversity index were at the lower stream and the midstream and the lowest diversity index were at the upper stream. Among the pteridophytes collected from site were used to cure common ailments such as wounds and skin disease and were applied directly using the leaves of the plants. The pteridophytes have higher species richness in lower and midstream in loamy type of soil having a soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and have lowest species richness in upperstream with a clay loamy types of soil with a ph of 6.8 which is slightly acidic. Such environmental predictors such as soil type and soil ph have no impact on the species richness and diversity of pteridophytes.