Comprehensive assessment of floral composition in restoration sites at mount Kitanglad, Brgy. Lirongan, Bukidnon: Analysis of diverse restoration initiatives

This study examines the floristic composition, biodiversity indices, and conservation status of the seven restoration sites in Mt. Kitanglad, Talakag Bukidnon. A total of 532 individual plants from 79 species and 37 families were recorded, with angiosperms comprising the majority of the flora. The Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae families exhibited the highest species richness, with Calliandra calothyrsus and Acacia auriculiformis being particularly abundant due to their ecological roles in nitrogen fixation and weed suppression. Gymnosperms, notably Pinus merkusii, played as significant role in reforestation, while pteridophytes such as Nephrolepis bisserata served as indicators of environmental conditions. Biodiversity indices revealed distinct ecological patterns across sites, the Shannon-Wiener index ranged from 2.01 to 3.33, with riparian sites (RA1 and RA2) demonstrating the highest diversity and evenness, while areas dominated by Indigenous Forest Trees (IFT) exhibited lower diversity and greater species dominance. Simpson index values (0.73-0.94) further supported these findings, highlighting the balanced species distribution in riparian sites compared to IFT-dominated areas. Evenness values ranged from 0.40 to 0.68, indicating varying species uniformity across sites, while dominance values (0.06-0.41) suggested a greater influence of select species in IFT areas. The conservation status assessment identifies 74 species as Least Concern, while Diplazium costulisorum and Sphaeropteris glauca were classified as Endangered. These findings emphasize the ecological significance of vegetated riparian zones in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. Restoration strategies should prioritize species diversity and structural complexity to enhance ecological stability and functionality in degraded landscapes. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES