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

Аннотация

This study entitled “Diversity Assessment of © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. 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 The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations 7 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajssei The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and have lowest and tree ferns have full trunks. Examples include ferns, species richness in upperstream with a clay loamy horsetails and club-mosses. Fronds in the largest species types of soil with a ph of 6.8 which is slightly acidic. of ferns can reach some six metres in length. Many ferns Such environmental predictors such as soil type and from tropical rain forests are epiphytes, which means soil ph have no impact on the species richness and they only grow on other plant species; their water diversity of pteridophytes. comes from the damp air or from rainfall running down branches and tree trunks. There are also some purely This study entitled “Diversity Assessment of aquatic ferns such as water fern or water velvet (Salvinia Pteridophytes: Species Richness, Environmental molesta) and mosquito ferns (Azolla species). Correlates and Its Uses in Hinulugan Falls” aimed to Pteridophytes do not have seeds or flowers either, identify the different species of Pteridopytes, instead they also reproduce via spores. There are determine the species richness and environmental around 13,000 species of Pteridophytes. correlated and to determine its ethno-medicinal uses. (http://www.theplantlist.org/) Opportunistic random sampling technique or visual encounter technique and transect walk technique Pteridophytes range greatly in size. There are tiny were used to gather data. Species identification were floating ferns used as "green fertilizer" in rice paddies identified with the help of Co’s Digital Flora of the because they partner with bacteria that pull nitrogen Philippines and diversity of pteridophytes were from the air and "fix" it in chemical compounds that determined using Simpson’s Diversity Index. other plants can use. In some tropical forests, the Environmental correlates or predictor such as soil largest plants are tree ferns that can be up to 30 meters analysis and soil pH was done on laboratory with the (100 feet) tall and have huge spreading leaves up to 4.5 assistance from the Municipal Agriculture Office. meters (15 feet) in length. Pteridophytes also show a transition from simple to complex leaves. Some Fourteen (14) species of pteridophytes were found in pteridophyte groups, including the club mosses and Hinulgan Falls. Among the types of habitat identified, horsetails (classes Lycopodiopsida and Equisetopsida), the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were in have simple microphyllous leaves, featuring a single, the lower stream and the lowest species richness were unbranched vein and modest vascular supplies that do at the upper stream. Furthermore, in terms of diversity not cause breaks or gaps in the stem vasculature. The index the highest diversity index were at the lower true ferns (class Filicopsida), however, have larger, more stream and the midstream and the lowest diversity complex macrophyllous leaves whose veins are usually index were at the upper stream. extensively branched, placing such large demands on Among the pteridophytes collected from site were the plant's vasculature that distinctive gaps form in the used to cure common ailments such as wounds and xylem and phloem of the stem. All pteridophytes have a skin disease and were applied directly using the