Phytosociological study of Isla Patay Moro in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines

Abstract

Small islands may contain unique plant composition compared with larger islands due to size, isolation and exposure. Unfortunately, information on small island flora in the tropics is limited considering that these islands are now subjected to impacts of climate change and increased anthropogenic pressure. In addition, these islands are also subjected to invasion of non-native species that may alter the overall ecology of the islands. There is lack of basic information on what constitute a typical flora of small islands. Thus, a phytosociological study was conducted in Isla Patay Moro, one of the many small islands within Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines from December 2016 to April 2017 in an attempt to provide relevant information. Specifically, it described, identified and classified the flora present in the islands as well as described the community structure in terms of species composition, stand height, stand basal area, importance value and species diversity and evenness. The flora of the island is dominated by trees and shrubs and a few vines. A total of 30 species were identified representing 19 families. The most common and dominant species was Streblus asper with an importance value of 57.80. The total sampled area of the islands was 600 m2 and the total stand basal cover of 20,450.17m2/ha. The species diversity of the islands was 1.17 and 0.87 by Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, respectively, implying low species diversity. The stand height of the flora ranged from 2.2 to 8.47 meters. Presence of exotic species, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephla were also found. This study may serve as a baseline for further researches and the results may aid in the development of floristic conservation activities particularly for the presence of invasive or non-native species that may alter the natural flora in the future leading to ecological instability of the island. This is the first systematic survey of higher vascular plants on the island.