Forest Reserve: indicators of productivity and climate change

Studies on the diversity of macrofungi were conducted in the Makiling Forest Reserve, Quezon National Park, greater Sipit Watershed, and in Regions IV [Southern Tagalog], V [Bicol Region], and XI [Southern Mindanao, Philippines] in the old growth (ogf), residual forest (rf) 10 and 15 years after logging. The total number of fungal species identified and documented in the MFR had the highest value with an average of 31.8 as compared to other sides. The result also showed that in the old growth forests in all regions had the highest number of macrofungi with 18, 21, and 21 in Regions IV, V, and XI respectively. The number of macrofungi in the residual forests was much less compared to old growth forest. The diversity indices (H1) of macrofungi ranged from 1.314 to 1.520, and the evenness (E) from 0.010 to 0.049. The productivity of the area in terms of nutrient staturs indicated that organic matter (%), nitrogen (N), potassium (K) were adequate except for phosphorus (P) where blocks 1 and 2 had low values, although this deficiency was corrected by the presence of mycorrhizal fungi in the area. The total carbon stored int he biomass of standing trees was 949.14 tons per hectare, litter with 14.91 tons per ha and the soil organic carbon was 8.88 tons/ha or the total of 972.98 tons/ha. from the different substrate. The increase of carbon in the biomass based on the previous data, ten years ago was 105.48 or 10.54 tons/ha. per year. Climate change in the MFR and vicinity were registered at the AGROMET monitoring station at UPLB. The hottest month was recorded in April, 1998, and the coldest month in December. The extremes in rainfall have been recorded since year 2000, characterized by strong typhoons (Melenyo, Ondoy and Basyang). These extreme cliamte changes had impacts on, diversity of bioresources, increased occurrence of pests and diseases, massive landslides and flooding, reduced crop production, and the erratic weather conditions (known as anomalies).