Moss Diversity and Soil Nature in Established Plots in the Montane Forest of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental

The one-way effect of moss diversity on soil properties was investigated using belt transects in two established 1-ha plots located at 920–1,160masl in the montane forest of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. Moss species were identified, and diversity, dominance, and relative abundance were determined. Soil properties were assessed based on soil type, temperature, moisture, pH, and NPK macronutrient levels. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine relationships between moss diversity and soil physicochemical parameters. A total of 28 moss taxa from six orders and ten families were recorded, with 20 species identified in Plot 1 and 21 in Plot 2. The mean Shannon diversity index was 1.68, indicating moderately high diversity, while the mean Pielou’s evenness and McIntosh dominance indices were 0.55 and 0.83, respectively. Trismegistia calderensis and Braunfelsia sp. were the most abundant species. Most mosses occurred on epigeous or tree-based substrates rather than on the ground. Both plots had clay loam soil. Mean soil temperatures were 19.7°C and 21.5°C, while soil moisture values were 1.05% and 1.07%, and pH values were 5.4 and 5.3. NPK levels varied between plots. Correlations between moss diversity and soil parameters differed between plots, particularly for NPK. Temperature showed no correlation in either plot. Overall, the findings suggest that moss diversity influences certain soil properties through ecosystem functions rather than solely through direct substrate contact, supporting the ecological and functional importance of mosses in montane forest ecosystems.