Endangered, endemic, and economically important plants in Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao Oriental [Philippines] identified

The Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental is a protected area, with pygmy forest in an ultramatic soil. It has an area of 6,834 ha with 225 ha of 'mossy-pygmy' forest, the remaining old growth forest in Davao Oriental, home to the endangered Philippine eagle. It has the highest elevation of 1,600 masl. The area is identified as one of the Philippine 'hotspots' and a priority site for conservation and protection in Eastern Mindanao. To identify remaining plant diversity and for conservation, Amoroso et al. (CMU) conducted an inventory of the sanctuary. Their efforts served as basis for policy formulation of the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) as well as for sustainable utilization, protection, and management of the biological resources. The researchers partnered with the 'Bantay Gubat', local researchers in the area, for training and community empowerment. Findings of the study revealed the following: The transect walk and sampling plots revealed four vegetation types- agroecosystem, dipterocarps, montane, and mossy forests. The mossy forest was of two subtypes- typical mossy forest and mossy-pygmy forest. The Hamiguitan Range was a habitat of 843 species, 242 genera, and 120 families of plants. Of these, 678 were angiosperms, 29 gymnosperms, 121 ferns, and 15 fern allies. It was also home to 8 endangered species, 27 rare species, 47 endemic species and 165 economically important species. Nine species not previously recorded in the country were noted. Mt. Hamiguitan's inventory of trees and shrubs in sampled plots showed high species richness per unit area and high diversity values. It also contained many endemic, endangered, rare, and economically important species of plants. The study found that lowland dipterocarp and pygmy forests and their species at lower elevation were highly threatened due to over harvesting of forest products and road expansion for mining activities. The study highly recommended that the identified habitats of these threatened and endemic species be prioritized for protection and conservation.