DENR-XI [Southern Mindanao, Philippines] mangrovetum's mangrove species characterized

The alarming rate of mangrove forest destruction results in the difficulty of collecting planting materials, as well as decrease in supply for its rehabilitation. A mangrovetum in Region XI was established by DENR to showcase species diversity of the Philippine mangrove forests. It also seeks to answer the mangrove planting materials shortage in the region. At present, the mangrovetum has a total of 36 genera and 51 species, with the genera broken down to 14 true mangrove and 22 associated species. With the diversity of the mangrovetum, the right time of collecting fruits, seeds and propagules need to be ensured. Damada et al (DENR Region 11-Southern Mindanao, Philippines) currently conducts a phenological characterization of mangrove species in the mangrovetum. The project, which runs for 10 years, began in Feb 2003. The project seeks to determine the start of flowering, fruiting, ripening, and maturation of seeds/propagules of both natural and planted mangrove species in the mangrovetum area; determine the4 frequency of flowering/fruiting of the different species thriving in the project area; and know the environmental factors that influence the growth, flowering, and fruiting performances of the plants. Findings of the study revealed the following: Of the 51 species, there were 27 true and associated species. From the 27 recorded true mangrove species existing in the mangrovetum, only five species ('bakawan babae', 'busain', 'piapi', 'saging-saging', and 'bakawan bankau') produced fruits in 4 years time. In the flowering stage, correlation analysis for four mangrove species was positive except for busain due to drastic or inconsistent behavior. The peak flowering stage of busain was observed in the second and third quarters of the year. Busain was also observed as a prolific seeder because of the two peak fruiting seasons. Strong wind was the primary cause of very low fruiting percentage in piapi and bakawan babae. Results in 2005-2006 revealed that six species ('tangal', 'langarai', 'tabau', 'kulasi', 'nilad', and 'bakawan lalaki') produced fruits resulting in 11 species in 6 years. It was also observed that these six species bore flowers and fruit throughout the year. The project is on its fifth year and will continue to study the phenology of all the mangrove species within the mangrovetum. The study area will serve as a showcase for mangrove species in the region.