METHODOLOGY
A. Sampling Site and Duration of the Study
The study was conducted at Mt. Kitanglad, Baongon, Bukidnon from
September 3 to 5, 2010. Mt. Kitanglad, Baongon, Bukidnon. Transect walks method
was used to evaluate species richness of ferns and lycopods. This method is simple
and does not affect ecology of ferns and lycopods, disturb them, or demand a lot of
time and labor.
From the base of the Mt. Kitanglad, 870 m.a.s.l. going in an upward direction
up to an elevation of about 1070m.a.s.l., two transect routes namely were established .
these are Transect Route 1 (870-970 m.a.sl.) and transect Route 2 (970-1070 m.a.s.l.).
Each transect route took approximately 8 hours to walk.
B. Collection of the Specimens
During the transect walks, ferns and lycopods specimens spotted were noted,
recorded and some representative specimens were collected. Each specimen was
placed on a plastic bag with relevant field data such as collection numbers, habitat,
and date of collection, attributes and features of plants. All collected specimens were
placed on big transparent polyethylene bags to prevent dehydration.
C. Identification and Status Assessment of Collected Specimens
The collected ferns and lycopods were classified and identified using
taxonomic keys from the books of Flora Malesiana (1998), Fern Flora of the
Philippines (1961), Guide to the Philippine Flora (1986).
The assessment status for each species collected from the field was determined
whether threatened and endemic based on the national list of threatened Philippine
plants (Fernando et al., 2008).
D. Species Richness
The total species richness of ferns and lycopods was calculated from the
transect walks conducted by listing and counting the species along the established
transect routes.. The results were tabulated to show species richness in two elevation
gradients. Percent species composition for each site was evaluated and the overlap
percentage was calculated using the following formula.
Number of species for Site X
S = ------------------------------------------------- X 100;
Total number of species from all sites
where S is the percent species composition
Number of species common
Percent Overlap =------------------------------------------------------- X 100
Total number of species from all sites