Environmental assessment of macrofungi and their habitat in the permanent biodiversity monitoring area for conservation of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve [Philippines]

An environmental assessment of macrofungi and their habitat at the Permanent Biodiversity Monitoring Area (PBMA), Bagong Silang in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) [Philippines] was done in this study to support PBMA objectives on food security and contribute to the limited science-based biodiversity conservation and management concerning fungi. Fungal specimens were collected, identified and classified from August 2013 to May 2014 from 27 monitoring plots within the PBMA. Sixteen fungal species were analyzed for their composition and mineral content. Ninety six respondents were interviewed to determine their knowledge and perception regarding fungi and their uses. Results showed that fungal diversity was high (H'=3.025) and evenly distributed (e=0.676) resembling a healthy fungal ecosystem, comprising of 3,052 individuals belonging to 37 genera and 88 species. The diversity and occurrence of fungal species were directly proportional (p0.01) to substrates but inversely proportional (p0.05) to tree population. This indicates a habitat which is carbon-rich and dominated by Celtis luzonica and Coffea arabica whereby substrates were wood plant litter soil. Compositional analysis of the selected fungi revealed high carbohydrates (35.49%+-8.75) and protein (4.75%+-1.83) values for all species (Schizophyllum sp., Auricularia polytrica, Auricularia delicate, Ganoderma sp.) signifying their potential as a food source. These were validated by the community perception (77% of population) of the importance of macrofungi as food. Moreover, the presence of minerals (K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mo, Pb, Cr, Zr, Sr, Rb, V, Ti) revealed their potential for bioremediation, pharmaceutical and biofertilizers. Overall, considering their ecological and economic values, macrofungi should be considered as a major component in biodiversity conservation and management planning, with the local community as key actors.