INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Pteridophytes are vascular plants that produce neither flowers nor seeds.

Instead, they reproduce and disperse only via spores. Pteridophytes include ferns,

horsetails, clubmosses, spikemosses, quillworts, whiskferns and other fern-allies

(Smith et al, 2006).

Many ferns from tropical rainforests are epiphytes, which mean they only

grow on other plant species; their water comes from the damp air or from rainfall

running down branches and tree trunks. There are also some purely aquatic ferns such

as water fern or water velvet (Salvinia molesta) and mosquito ferns (Azolla species)

(Rolla, 1982).

Moreover, pteridophytes have major roles in the environment as biogas

emission and maintaining the natural cycle of the swamps and forest lands. It is a

good indicator of a good environment yet it also gives way for the revival of nature.

Pteridophytes are also beneficial in a way that they are used as soil – binders, an

additional organic matter, medicine for some minor ailments, and are frequently

planted as ornamentals.

Specifically, the name “pteridophytes” denotes a native or nonnative plant that

grows and reproduce only via spores. Pteridophytes continue to exist in spite the

natural and man – made destructions because the environment is continually being

disturbed to create open conditions for new generations.

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 In addition, the results of this study will be helpful to the citizens living in

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon and give them the idea of the species

richness of pteridophytes found in their locality and the benefits of these pteridophytic

species to their lives. The results of this study will also aware the people in Barangay

Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon about the ecological status of the pteridophytic

species and may help them to control the reproduction of pteridophytes in an

economical and practical way to be able to maintain the rare and beneficial

pteridophytic species. There may also be pteridophytic species that are unique, thus

making a global impact.

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Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to inventory and assesses the species richness of

pteridophytes found in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Specifically, it aimed to:

1. determine the pteridophytic species found in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia

City, Bukidnon.

2. assess the distribution of the pteridophytic species found in Barangay Lurogan

, Valencia City , Bukidnon.

Statement of the Problem

This study investigates the species richness of pteridophytes found in

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon. More specifically, the study attempts to

answer the following questions:

1. What are the different pteridophytic species found in Barangay Lurogan,

Valencia City, Bukidnon?

2. What is the distributional status of the pteridophytic species found in

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon?

Hypothesis

Null: There is no significant difference between the distributions of

pteridophytic species found in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

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Significance of the Study

Pteridophytes are also beneficial in a way that they are used as soil-binders, an

additional organic matter, medicine for some minor ailments, and are frequently

planted as ornamentals.

The researchers believe that this study will be helpful to the citizens living in

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon. This study will give them the idea of the

species richness of pteridophytes found in their locality and the benefits of these

pteridophytic species to their lives. Most importantly, the results of this study will

aware the people in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon about the ecological

status of the pteridophytic species and may help them to control the reproduction of

pteridophytes in an economical and practical way to be able to maintain the rare and

beneficial pteridophytic species. There may also be pteridophytic species that are

unique, thus making a global impact.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The main concern of this study will be only on pteridophytes found in

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Only ferns, horsetails, clubmosses,

spikemosses, quillworts, whiskferns and other fern – allies found within and along

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon are included in the study.

In addition, only pteridophytes found along three 20 x 20 meters in diameter

quadrats will be included in the study. Since Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City,

Bukidnon is a vast area; the researchers choose a specific sampling technique which is

cluster sampling to conduct the study.

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Definition of Terms

Buckwheat - plant with edible triangular seeds

Catastrophes - sudden great disasters

Diagnostic - characteristics of particular species, genus or phenomenon

Foliage - leaves

Idle - not active

Invasive - tending to spread very quickly and harmfully

Morphology - the branch of biology concerned with the forms and structures

of livingorganisms

Pace - speed

Phloem - vascular tissue in plants that conducts sugars and other

metabolic products downward from the leaves

Proliferate - to increase rapidly

Pteridophytes - phylum of plants

Species Richness - the number of different species represented in an ecological

community, landscape or region; simply a count of species. In

contrast, “species diversity” takes into account both species

richness and species evenness.

Vascular Plant - plant that is characterized by the presence of conducting tissue

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Vigorous - characterized by or involving physical strength, or effort

Xylem - vascular tissue in plants that conducts water and dissolved

nutrients upward from the root and also helps to form the

woody element in the stem

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 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Pteridophytes are a phylum of plants. They are the vascular plants (those

having xylem and phloem tissues) that reproduce by releasing spores rather than

seeds, and they include the highly diverse true ferns and other graceful, primarily

forest-dwelling plants. There are about eleven thousand different species of

pteridophytes, making them the most diverse land plants after the flowering plants

(angiosperms). Pteridophytes may represent the closest living relatives (sister group)

to the seed plants. (Seed plants include the angiosperms, the conifers, and a smaller

assortment of other plants) (Jones et al, 1987).

Pteridophytes are vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that

reproduce and disperse via spores. Because they produce neither flowers nor seeds,

they are referred to as cryptogams. The group

includes ferns, horsetails, clubmosses, spikemosses, quillworts and other fern-allies.

These do not form a monophyletic group, because ferns and horsetails are more

closely related to seed plants than to lycophytes (clubmosses, spikemosses and

quillworts). Therefore, pteridophytes are no longer considered to form a valid taxon,

but the term is still used as an informal way to refer to ferns and lycophytes (Smith et

al, 2006).

Many ferns from tropical rainforests are epiphytes, which mean they only

grow on other plant species; their water comes from the damp air or from rainfall

running down branches and tree trunks. There are also some purely aquatic ferns such

as water fern or water velvet (Salvinia molesta) and mosquito ferns (Azolla species)

(Rolla, 1982).

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 The Pteridophytes occupy an intermediate position between the Bryophyta on

one hand and Spermatophyte (seed plants) on the other, and shares characters with

both the groups. They possess a certain combination of the major characteristics;

feature of the Pteridophytes is the presence of independent Gametophyte and

Sporophyte at maturity (Reddy, 1996).

The life cycles of the different classes and families of the Pteridophyta are

quite unique. They do though share some common characteristics. In the Pteridophyte

division, both the Sporophyte and Gametophyte generations live as free living plants.

The Sporophyte is much larger and longer lived than the Gametophyte. It is the

dominant generation and what we recognize as ferns, clubmosses, etc. Though most

Pteridophytes are Homosporus, producing spores of the same size and of no particular

gender, some species are Heterosporus, which means they produce spores of different

sizes and genders. Heteropory is found in different classes and families showing that

it is a polyphyletic (not one ancestral species) characteristic that was evolved

independently a number of times (Willis et al, 2002).

Kolhapur District is situated in the south-western part of Maharashtra. The

present study describes the pteridophytic flora of the Chandgad Forest. Ten sites were

selected for the study. The area was surveyed in different seasons during the years

2007 to 2010. 34 species of ferns and fern-allies belonging to 25 genera and 20

families were recorded. Some possible threats to further survival of these are

identified and highlighted (Patil et al, 2011).

This is the fifteenth pteridophyte flora published for Arkansas. The state

pteridophyte flora now lists 123 species documented (98 native and 25 naturalized)

with 3053 county-level records or map dots. The pteridophytes are the most studied,

8
best known, and most completely documented group of plants in Arkansas (Peck

2011).

The history of the compilation of the 123 species is presented, along with

reports of two species new to the state and other noteworthy collections, an annotated

checklist, and qualitative analysis of phytogeographic trends of the Arkansas

pteridophyte flora. The extensive bibliography provides easy access to the literature

documenting Arkansas floristic research on pteridophytes (Peck, 2011).

Pteridophytes represent the most poorly understood group of vascular plants

from a phylogenetic perspective (Stewart and Rothwell, 1993). The group is probably

polyphyletic and includes four extant divisions (following Cronquist et al., 1966):

Polypodiophyta (ferns), Psilotophyta (Psilotaceae, or whisk ferns), Lycopodiophyta

(lycopods), and Equisetophyta (horsetails). Estimating phylogenetic relationships

among these groups, and their relationship to seed plants and too many extinct groups

of land plants, remains one of the greatest challenges in plant systematic. In this

chapter we review some of the literature bearing on relationships among

pteridophytes, focusing on studies of ferns. We also present an exploratory analysis,

using nucleotide sequences from three genes and data from 77 morphological

characters, to examine the feasibility of a combined approach to inferring

pteridophyte phylogeny. We then discuss the problems associated with resolving

ancient divergence events and with analyzing large and diverse data sets. We

conclude with what we believe to be the most fertile directions for future research on

pteridophyte phylogeny (Wolf et al, 1998).

Pteridophytic flora is the extinct members of plant groups used medicinally by

aboriginals. These plants have been used as such for various purposes as fodder

vegetable and medicinal purpose. The Vindhya valley has a lot of pteridophytes

9
which are even very common and frequently grown in association with the members

of the angiospermic plants. The study has been conducted to assess the frequency of

these pteridophytic members in the various spots of Kymore Hills of Vindhyan

region. Their conservation is urgently required. The study would be very helpful to

know the responsible factor of the region, which are responsible for the extinction of

the species from the region. The dry climate, less precipitation and humidity with low

nitrogen content of the area significantly destroy the pteridophytic vegetation of the

area (Pathak et al, 2011).

Eight new records of pteridophytes are listed for the flora of Annobón

(Equatorial Guinea). Specimen information is provided for 12 literature-based records

in the Flora de Guinea Ecuatorial. An account of pteridophyte collecting on the

island is provided. Pteridophyte diversity in Annobón is updated to 49 species

(Figueiredo et al, 2009).

Pteridophytes are of immense economic importance as medicinal, food,

shelter, ornamental plants, etc. Field studies in Nilgiris during 2010-2012 resulted in

the documentation of 153 ferns and 18 fern-allies. Out of which, twenty potential

ornamental ferns were listed out and the same is provided (Abraham et al, 2012).

This study describes and documents the information on traditional

utilization of 17 species of pteridophytes belonging to 11 families and 13 genera

(ferns and their allies) in the treatment of women’s health and beauty care

practices by the tribal people of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve,

Central India. Latin names, vernacular names, family along with their uses of all

the species are described (Singh et al, 2013).

Garhwal Himalaya represents one of the richest zones of vegetational wealth

10
in India. Pteridophytic flora is also interesting in its diversity and distribution,

however, little is worked out on the economic aspects of these plants. Therefore,

present communication pertains to the folk utilization of ferns and fern-allies by the

inhabitants of Deoprayag Tehsil in Garhwal Himalaya. The studies are based on

frequent field trips to various remote localities and collecting the information from the

local inhabitants. The perusal of literature indicated several little known plants of folk

utilization, and a large number of these could prove an important source of wider

economic utility after phytochemical analysis (Gaur et al, 1994).

Sirsi Taluk is one of the richest floristic areas of Uttara Kannada district

located in Central Western Ghats, Karnataka. The present study describes the

distribution of the Pteridophyte flora of this region. Twenty-seven species of

pteridophytes were collected, belonging to 22 genera and 16 families.

Taxonomically, Pteridaceae was the dominant family with four genera and six

species followed by Lomariopsidaceae, the co-dominant family represented by two

species. The present data is the new and additional information to existing of forest

area of Sirsi Taluk (Mallayya et al, 2014).

The Western Ghats is one of the 34 Global Biodiversity Hotspots and harbors a

rich diversity of flora and fauna with many endemic and RET species. Along with the

angiospermic plants, the Western Ghats is also a rich repository of pteridophytic plant

wealth. The pteridophytes form a conspicuous element of the Earth’s vegetation and

are important from evolutionary point of view as they show the evolution of vascular

system and reflect the emergence of seed habitat in the plants. About 250 million years

ago they formed the dominant part of earth’s vegetation, but in present day flora have

been largely replaced by the seed bearing plants. About 12,000 species of

pteridophytes occur in the world flora of which around 1000 species are distributed in

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different biogeographical regions of India with the main centers being the Himalayas,

the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. The Western Ghats harbor about 320 species

of ferns and fern allies with more species diversity in the southern part. The major

families of pteridophytes found in the Western Ghats are Aspleniaceae, Polypodiaceae,

Thelypteridaceae, Selaginellaceae, Pteridaceae, etc. Whereas on the generic level,

maximum diversity is observed in the genus Asplenium, Selaginella, Pteris, Athyrium,

Diplazium, etc. The Western Ghats also harbors endemic species like Polystichum

manickamii, Cyathea nilgiriensis, Bolbiti ssemicordata, Selaginella radicata, etc. The

habitat of the pteridophytes consists of microclimatic conditions with special

preference for moist and shady places and a minor disturbance in their microclimate

conditions can lead to loss of large number of species. They occur in abundance in

tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and moist-deciduous forests of India and their life-

cycle is based on the existence of the forests. However, large scale deforestation and

increasing anthropogenic factors have caused the elimination of the habitats which is

posing a serious threat to the pteridophytes of Western Ghats and many endangered

pteridophytes like Psilotum nudum, Tectaria zeylanica, Lindsaea malabarica,

Cheilanthes rufa, etc. may soon face the brunt of extinction. In the recent years,

though the pteridological studies have picked up in various parts of the country, many

questions regarding the pteridophytic wealth of the Western Ghats remain unanswered

and hence, more studies are required for developing in situ and ex situ conservation

strategies for this wonderful and important group of plants (Dudani et al, 2012).

One of the 17 mega biodiversity country, India possess only 2% land mass of

world and harbors more than 7% of the global vascular plant species. Certain

territories of India fall under different biodiversity hot spots of the world. Sikkim

Himalaya with only 0.2% land surface of India is a small part of the 'Himalaya

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Biodiversity hot spot' and one of the richest biodiversity area of the country. The

unique position, mountainous terrain and climatic variation within a small distance are

the main factors for rich and diverse vegetation of the state. The lower vascular plants,

Pteridophytes are also one of the richest plant groups in Sikkim Himalaya. On the

basis of recent collection tours by author, scrutiny of various published work and after

studying Herbaria of Botanical Survey of India (CAL & BSHC), it is clear that the

Pteridophytes are represented here by about 500 taxa (480 species and 20 subspecies)

which belongs to 25 families (according to the classification of Kramer and Green

1990) and 93 genera (108 genera following Holtum's splinter genera of

Thelypteridaceae). Among these, 3 families, 5 genera and 28 species are fern allies

and remaining are true ferns. Selaginellaceae is the largest fern ally family

represented by about 18 species of Selaginella, followed by Lycopodiaceae (3 genera,

12 species) and Equisetaceae (1genus, 2 species). Among true ferns Dryopteridaceae

is the largest family with 23 genera,155 species and 7 subspecies, followed by

Pteridaceae (11 genera, 72 species and 7 subspecies), Polypodiaceae (17 genera, 67

species and 1 subspecies), Thelypteridaceae (single genus Thelypteris or 16 splinter

genera or sections, 36 species and 2 subspecies), Aspleniaceae (1 genus, 24 species

and 2 subspecies), Dennstaedtiaceae (7 genera and 17 species), Hymenophyllaceae (2

genera and 14 species), Davalliaceae (5 genera and 11 species) and Vittariaceae (2

genera and 11 species). The remaining families are with less than 10 species.

Dryopterisadanson is the largest genus with 31 species and 4 subspecies (31+4)

followed by Polystichum Roth.(29), Athyrium Roth. (28), Pteris L. (25+4), Asplenium

L (24+2), Diplazium Sw.(17), Aleuritopteris Fee (15), Lepisorus (J.Sm.) C. Chr. (11)

and Adiantum L. (10+2). The remaining genera are with less than 10 species. In

tropical and temperate forests at certain places, pteridophytes constitute the dominant

13
vegetation and they grow in diverse habitats. At certain places, species of sub-

arboreal tree fern Cyathea and gigantic fern Angiopteris; large thickets of Gleichenia

gigantea(Wall. ex Hook. and Bauer), Dicranopteris spp., Osmunda claytoniana L.

subsp. vestia (Wall. ex Milde) A. Love and D. Love, Dryopteris barbigera (T. Moore

ex Hook.) Kuntze, Polystichum prescottianum (Wall. ex Mett.) T. Moore, Athyrium

wallichianum Ching; Thelypteris elwesii (Baker) Ching, Matteuccia intermedia

C.Chr.; densely covered forest floors byThelypterioid, Athyrioid and Dryopterioid

ferns and thickly claded trees by epiphytic ferns shows the richness and majesty of

this fascinating group of plant in the state. Beside that some species are also rare in

distribution and few of them are threatened due to change in land use pattern or

developmental activities. These rare and threatened species are also highlighted with

the conservation strategies. Setting up of a fern garden or a fern sanctuary for the

conservation of the rich and diverse fern flora of the state is strongly recommended

with suitable justification (Kholia, 2011).

Species richness of terrestrial ferns and fern allies (Pteridophyta) may

indicate forest habitat quality, as analyzed here for a tropical lowland area in

Sumatra. A total of 51 standard 0.16 ha plots in primary forest rubber (Hevea

brasiliensis) agro forests and rubber plantations was compared for plot level diversity

(average number of species per plot) and landscape level diversity (species–area

curves). Average plot level species richness (11 species) was not significantly

different amongst the three land use types. However at the landscape level the

species–area curve for rubber agro forests (also called jungle rubber) had a

significantly higher slope parameter than the curve for rubber plantations, indicating

higher beta diversity in jungle rubber as compared to rubber plantations. Plot

level species richness is thus not fully indicative of the (relative) richness of a

14
land use type at the landscape scale because scaling relations differ between land use

types. Terrestrial fern species can serve as indicators of disturbance or forest quality

as many species show clear habitat differentiation with regard to light conditions

and/or humidity. To assess forest habitat quality in rubber production systems as

compared to primary forest, terrestrial pteridophyte species were grouped according

to their ecological requirements into ‘forest species’ and ‘non-forest species’.

Species–area curves based on ‘forests pecies’ alone show that the understory

environment of jungle rubber supports intermediate numbers of ‘forest species’ and

is much more forest-like than that of rubber plantations, but less than primary forest.

Species richness alone, without a priori ecological knowledge of the species

involved, did not provide this information. Jungle rubber systems can play a role in

conservation of part of the primary rain forest species, especially in areas where the

primary forest has already disappeared. In places where primary forest is gone,

jungle rubber can conserve part of the primary forest species, but large areas of

jungle rubber are needed. In places where primary forest is still present, priority

should be given to conservation of remaining primary forest patches (Beukema et al,

2004).

In this study, our objectives were to compare the diversity of pteridophytes in

undisturbed and fragmented forests, to identify the most abundant host tree species

and to collect specimens for the University of Yaounde. To protect the pteridophytes

in villages where these plants are often perceived as parasites (especially of fruit

trees), the senior author organized conservation classes for local villagers who

participated in data collection at each site. Preliminary results showed that

pteridophytic species was rich in disturbed forests of Cameroon and that preservation

of forest fragment may benefit pteridophyte conservation. The most abundant host

15
tree species differ in both intact and disturbed habitats at each site. Human

disturbance, despite reducing pteridophyte population sizes, serves as a catalyst for

promoting change (and perhaps a short-term increase) in diversity by increasing

habitat diversity (Lowman et al, 2002).

The Brazilian Atlantic rainforest consists of a typical tropical rainforest on

mountain slopes, stands out as a biodiversity hotspot for its high species richness and

high level of species endemism. This forest is bordered by plant communities with

lower species diversity, due mostly to more extreme environmental conditions than

those found in mesic rainforest. Between the mountain slopes and the sea, the coastal

plains have swamp forests, dry semi-deciduous forests and open thicket vegetation on

marine sand deposits. At the other extreme, on top of the mountains (>2000 m a.s.l.),

the rainforest is substituted by high altitude fields and open thicket vegetation on

rocky outcrops. Thus, the plant communities that are marginal to the rainforest are

subjected either to flooding, drought, oceanicity or cold winter temperatures. It was

found that positive interactions among plants play an important role in the structuring

and functioning of swamp forest coastal sandy vegetation and cold, high altitude

vegetation in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Moreover, only a few species seem to adopt

this positive role and, therefore, the functioning of these entire systems may rely on

them. Curiously, these nurse plants are often pteridophytes in the rainforest, and at the

study sites are typically terrestrial. Many exhibit crassulacean acid metabolism.

Conservation initiates must treat the Atlantic coastal vegetation as a complex rather

than a rainforest alone (Scarano, 2002).

Some 13,600 species of pteridophytes are known all around the world.

Brazil, with about 1,300 species is considered as one of the centers of endemism

and speciation of the South American continent. Notwithstanding this amazing

16
biodiversity, very few phytochemical studies have been reported. The present

study intends to review phytochemical investigations in pteridophytes growing in

Brazil. We found 78 phytochemical studies carried out on 60 species and two

varieties. Biological activity was the principal focus of published works

(56papers), the second most studied theme was molecular identification (with 21

publications) and then chemical ecology with 12 papers. The most addressed

species was Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Maxon (42 papers) (Santos et al,

2010).

The present study mainly focuses on the ethno-botanical importance of

Pteridophytes which are widely used by the people of the tribe of Pachmarhi, India. As

many as 31 pteridophyte plant species belonging to 16 families were presented in this

research article. The botanical name, synonyms, family name, local name, habit, part

used, and their ethno-botanical uses are provided. The local people of Panarpani,

Badkachhar, Rorighat, Matkuli, Pagara, Bariam, Amkhedi, Neemghan, Singanama,

Tekapar, Chaka, Pisua, Monhgaun, Kadari, Binoura, and Kherghat were interviewed in

this study (Upadhyay, 2012).

The present investigation was carried out during January to December 2009

for the documentation of medicinal uses of Pteridophytes in Kolli Hills of Eastern

Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. The survey aimed to identifying the plants used for the

general health of the indigenous people of the study area. Ethnomedicinal information

was gathered through questionnaire from the tribal and non-tribal people of Kolli

Hills in Tamil Nadu. We have reported 30 species of medicinally important

Pteridophytes belonging to 16 families distributed in 27 genera. Our study concluded

that, the wealth of indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge of Pteridophytes may also

points to a great potential for research in the discovery of new drugs to fight diseases

17
and other new uses (Karthik et al, 2011).

In recent years much attention has been devoted to natural antioxidant and

their associations with health benefits. Plants are potential sources of natural

antioxidants. They produce various antioxidant compounds to counteract reactive

oxygen species (ROS) in order to survive. Reactive oxygen species are highly reactive

due to the presence of unpaired valence shell electrons. Some of the antioxidant

compounds namely flavan-4-ol glycosides, abacopterins, huperzine A, isoquercetin,

di-E-caffeoyl-mesotartaric acid, flavaspidic acid PB, flavaspidic acid AB, flavan-3-ol,

kaempferol, A-type proanthocyanidins, afzelechin were isolated from few

pteridophytes like Abacopteris penangiana, Huperzia selago, Equisetum arvense,

Dryoppteris crassirhizoma etc. From the previous research, it has been given that only

36 numbers of pteridophyte plant species were examined for antioxidant activity

study which is highlighted in this paper. Thus, knowledge of antioxidant potentiality

of pteridophytes and their remedial activity against different diseases remains

incomplete. Hence, an exclusive study is essential for better understanding and

exploration of potentiality of antioxidant from pteridophytes (Talukdar et al, 2011).

The given information in the reviews is an evidence of actions done to identify

species according to their kind, specifically, the pteridophytic species. Also, the

classification of pteridophytic species are made, not just to collect some set of

information but also to lend the ears and open the eyes of the people about their

behavior and the characteristics of these pteridophytic species as potential medicinal

and natural resources of raw materials. Most especially, the studies shown are made

for to distinguish the procedures of preservation and protection of pteridophytic

species for the benefit of mankind, to be use in the generations to come.

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 Literatures had clearly elaborated that pteridophytes which consist of mainly

ferns and fern-allies have major roles in the environment such as biogas emission and

maintaining the natural cycle of the swamps and forest lands. It is a good indicator of

a good environment yet it also gives way for the revival of nature. It is a characteristic

of pteridophytic species to revive themselves even though natural and man – made

destructions are continually disturbing them.

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 METHODOLOGY

A. Materials

The materials used in conducting the study include the following: tape

measure to measure and determine the boundaries, straw strings, scissor, bolo, used

newspapers for the preservation of the collected samples and camera for

documentation purposes.

B. Establishment of the Study

Field collection of pteridophytic species were conducted in three 20 x 20

meters sampling areas. The boundaries of each station were marked to prevent

overlapping. These three stations were designated as Quadrat 1, Quadrat 2 and

Quadrat 3.

C. Collection of Data

Each pteridophytic specimen that was taken as sample in the quadrats is

placed in an air sealed plastic bag bearing its collection number. Pteridophytes that

were collected were also taken pictures for documentation.

D. Preservation of Plants Collected

After collecting all pteridophytic species, the specimens were pressed in used

newspapers with pressers on top and a base underneath.

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E. Identification of Plants

The pteridophytic samples were brought to Northern Mindanao Integrated

Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) and Ecosystems Research and

Development Service (ERDS) for identification.

F. Assessment of Data

The species richness and the ecological status of each pteridophytic specimen

were determined through observations in the field. The species of pteridophytes

present at Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon were determined whether it is

rare or abundant using the following scale:

Rare (R) - 0 to 10 individual plants per species

Abundant (A) - 11 and above individual plants per species

The species richness was measured with statistical tools.

Community indices used in the study:

Density (D)

D = Number of Individuals

Area Sampled

Relative Density (RD)

RD = Density of Species A (100)

Total Density of Species

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Frequency (F)

F = Number of Plots in which Species A Occurred

Total Number of Plots Examined

Relative Frequency (RF)

RF = Frequency Values for Species (100)

Total Frequency Values for All Species

Dominance (Dom)

Dom = Area Covered by Species A

Area Sampled

Relative Dominance (RDom)

RDom = Dom of Species A (100)

Total Dom of All Species

Species Importance Value (SIV)

SIV = RD of Species A + RF of Species A + RDom of Species A

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Index of Dominance (IOD)

SIV of Species A
IOD = ( Total SIV
)2

Shannon’s Index of Diversity (SID)

SID = -∑ SIV of Species A log SIV of Species A

Total SIV Total SIV

If SID = 1 = Standard Level of Diversity

If SID > 1 = Diversity is High

If SID < 1 = Diversity is Low

23
 Collection and Preparation of the Materials

Establishment of the Sampling Area

Collection of Data (Pteridophytic Samples)

Preservation of Pteridophytic Species Collected

Identification of Pteridophytic Species Collected

Assessment of the Results

Figure 1. Flow Chart

24
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Based on Table 1 below, the mean for quadrat 1 is 10, quadrat 2 is 7.62 and

quadrat 3 is 17.25. This implies that the average number of species found in quadrat 3

is greatest compared to the other two quadrats and quadrat 2 has the least average

number of species found.

Table 1. Number of Individual Species per Quadrat

_____________________________________________________________________
Species Q1 Q2 Q3 Total

_____________________________________________________________________

1. Drynaria sparsisora (Desv.) Moore0 34 4 38

2. Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott 0 0 35 35

3. Asplenium nidus L. 24 5 43 72

4. Antrophyum ledermannii Hieron 15 3 0 18

5. Phymatosorus membranifolium 23 0 2 25

6. Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching 8 4 5 17

7. Asplenium polyodon G. Forst 8 15 21 44

8. Aglaomorpha heraclea 2 0 28 30

_____________________________________________________________________

TOTAL 80 61 138 279

_____________________________________________________________________
MEAN 10 7.62 17.25 34.88
_____________________________________________________________________

25
 Quadrat 3 has the highest number of individual species having a total of 138

while quadrat 2 has the least having a total of 61 individual species. There are

80individual species in quadrat 1 as shown in Figure 2 below.

160

140 138

120

100 Quadrat 1
Quadrat 2
80 Quadrat 3
80

61
60

40

20

0
Quadrat 1 Quadrat 2 Quadrat 3

Figure 2.Bar Graph of the Number of Individual Species per Quadrat

26
 The table below shows that in quadrat 1, there are 5 species that are rare and 3

abundant species. In quadrat 2, there are 6 species that are rare and 2 species that are

abundant. There were 4 rare and abundant species in quadrat 3.

Table 2. Assessment of Species Status in their Reported Local Distribution

_____________________________________________________________________

Species Q1 Q2 Q3

_____________________________________________________________________

1. Drynaria sparsisora (Desv.) Moore R A R

2. Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott R R A

3. Asplenium nidus L. A R A

4. Antrophyum ledermannii Hieron A R R

5. Phymatosorus membranifolium A R R

6. Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching R R R

7. Asplenium polyodon G. Forst R A A

8. Aglaomorpha heraclea R R A

_____________________________________________________________________

LEGEND:
R –Rare
A – Abundant
_____________________________________________________________________

27
 Based on Figure 3 as shown below, there are 5 rare species and 3 abundant

species in quadrat 1.6 species are rare and 2 species are abundant in quadrat 2, while

the number of rare and abundant species in quadrat 3 is 4.An average of 5 rare species

and 3 abundant species were accounted in this study. This implies that the

pteridophytic species found in the three identified quadrats in Barangay Lurogan,

Valencia City, Bukidnon are likely rare.

6
6

5 5
5

4 4
4

Rare
3 3 Abundant
3

2
2

0
Quadrat 1 Quadrat 2 Quadrat 3 Average

Figure 3. Bar Graph of the Rareness and Abundance of the Species

28
 Table 3 below shows that the total density is 0.23251, the total relative density

is 100, the total frequency is 6 and the total relative frequency is 100, which means

that each pteridophytic specimen accounted for this study are sometimes not found in

any of the three identified quadrats.

Table 3. Species Diversity Indices for D, RD, F and RF

_____________________________________________________________________

Species D RD F RF

_____________________________________________________________________

1. Drynaria sparsisora (Desv.)Moore0.03167 13.6209 0.6667 11.1117

2. Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott 0.02917 12.5457 0.3333 5.555

3. Asplenium nidus L. 0.06 25.8053 1 16.6667

4. Antrophyum ledermannii Hieron 0.015 6.4513 0.6667 11.1117

5.Phymatosorus membranifolium 0.0208 38.9588 0.6667 11.1117

6.Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching 0.01417 6.0944 1 16.6667

7.Asplenium polyodon G. Forst 0.03667 15.7714 1 16.6667

8. Aglaomorpha heraclea 0.025 10.7522 0.6667 11.1117

_____________________________________________________________________

TOTAL 0.23251 100 6 100

_____________________________________________________________________
MEAN 0.0291 12.5 0.75 12.5
_____________________________________________________________________

29
 The total dominance is 1.0625, the total relative dominance is 14.62594, the

total species importance value is 214.62785 and the total index of dominance is

0.1392 as shown in Table 4 below.

Table 4. Species Diversity Indices for Dom, RDom, SIV and IOD

_____________________________________________________________________

Species Dom RDom SIV IOD

_____________________________________________________________________

1. Drynaria sparsisora (Desv.)Moore 0.04167 0.57361 25.3062 0.0139

2. Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott 0.16667 2.29431 20.3950 0.0090

3. Asplenium nidus L. 0.3333 4.58849 47.0605 0.0481

4. Antrophyum ledermannii Hieron 0.14583 2.0074 19.5704 0.0083

5.Phymatosorus membranifolium 0.0625 0.86035 20.93085 0.0095

6.Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching 0.04167 0.57361 23.3347 0.0118

7.Asplenium polyodon G. Forst 0.25 3.4414 35.8795 0.0279

8. Aglaomorpha heraclea 0.02083 0.28677 22.1507 0.0107

_____________________________________________________________________

TOTAL 1.0625 14.62594 214.62785 0.1392

_____________________________________________________________________

30
 The total Shannon’s Index of Diversity is 0.880957621 as shown in Table 5.

Since the total SID is 0.9 when rounded off to the nearest tenths and is less than 1, this

implies that the diversity of pteridophytic species in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia

City, Bukidnon is below the standard level.

Table 4. Shannon’s Index of General Diversity

_____________________________________________________________________

Species Shannon’s Index of Diversity

_____________________________________________________________________

1. Drynaria sparsisora (Desv.)Moore - 0.109472152

2. Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott - 0.097131033

3. Asplenium nidus L. - 0.144502493

4. Antrophyum ledermannii Hieron - 0.09483814

5.Phymatosorus membranifolium - 0.098584501

6.Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching - 0.104773325

7.Asplenium polyodon G. Forst - 0.129864878

8. Aglaomorpha heraclea - 0.101791099

_____________________________________________________________________

TOTAL - 0.880957621
_____________________________________________________________________

H = - (- 0.880957621)

= 0.880957621 = 0.9

0.9 < 1; Low

31
 As shown in Figure 4 below, the total density is 0.23251, the total relative

density is 100, the total frequency is 6, the total relative frequency is 100, the total

dominance is 1.0625, the total relative dominance is 14.62594, the total species

importance value is 214.62785, the total index of dominance is 0.1392 and the total

Shannon’s Index of Diversity is 0.880957621.

250

200

Density
RD
150
Frequency
RF
Dominance
Rdom
100
SIV
IOD
SID

50

0
Total

Figure 4. Bar Graph of the Species Diversity Indices

32
 Scientific Name: Drynaria sparsisora
(Desv.) T. Moore
Family Name: Polypodiaceae
Common Name: Basket Ferns
Genus: Drynaria
Description: Rhizome short creeping, 1–3
cm diam., densely covered with scales;
scales oblong-ovate, acute at apex, round
at base, peltate, toothed to fimbriate at
margin, 1.5–3(–11) by 1–2.5 mm, bi-
coloured with black brown central portion
and brown margin, not so stiff. Nest leaves
sessile, oval to ovate-oblong, 17–23 by
16–22 cm, lobed to a half-way between
midrib and margin; lobes round at apex,
entire, oblong-subdeltoid, up to 6 by 4 cm.
Usage: The species is used to prepare oil
which is used as an in indigenous
medicine, and also as ornamental plants.
Figure 5

Scientific Name: Nephrolepis biserrata

(Sw.) Schott
Family Name: Davalliaceae
Common Name: Fishtail fern
Genus: Nephrolepis
Description: Stolons and basal portions of
stipes scaly; scales lanceolate, red-brown,
with few to many short or long marginal
cilia. Fronds to 2.5 m or more long; rachis
with scattered hair-like scales and/or
simple hairs, glabrescent.Pinnae relatively
widely-spaced, sometimes with a small
rounded auricle.
Usage: Leaves are boiled and eaten as
vegetable. Roots are pounded to flour.
Used for blisters, boils, abscesses and
sores. Decoction of fronds used for lower
abdominal pains. Leaves used for
treatment of wounds and cuts.
Figure 6

33
 Scientific Name: Asplenium nidus L.
(Aspleniaceae)
Family Name: Aspleniaceae-Spleenwort
family
Common Name: Birdnest Fern
Genus: Asplenium L. - Spleenworts
Description: Aspleniumnidus is rosette
shaped fern with all of the fronds
growing from a central area. The fronds
are undivided and sword-shaped. They
can be 60 to 120 cm long and 7 to 20 cm
wide. They are light green with a dark
brown or black midrib. The spores’
cases are arranged in lines along the
veins of the fronds.
Usage: The juice of `ekaha leaf shoots
was mixed with other plants to treat
general weakness and mouth sores in
children.

Figure 7

Scientific Name:Antrophyum
ledermannii Hieron
Common Name: Lineleaf ferns
Family Name: Vittariaceae
Description: Rhizome short-creeping,
scaly, covered with masses of densely
hairy roots; scales clathrate, narrow,
attenuate, with toothed hair-like apices.
Fronds crowded, sessile or stalked.
Lamina linear, obovate, oblanceolate to
suborbicular, erect to pendulous, thinly
coriaceous; apex often acuminate;
venation anastomosing, without included
free veinlets (or free in two non-
Australian species); areoles narrow;
midvein becoming immersed distally.
Sori superficial (non-Australian species)
or in grooves, usually spreading
irregularly along the veins; paraphyses
present or absent (non-Australian
species), filiform, with or without an
Figure 8 enlarged apical cell.

34
 Scientific Name: Phymatosorus
membranifolium
Family Name: Polypodiaceae
Common Name:
Genus: Phymatosorus
Description: Rhizomecreeping, thick,
about 1 cm diam., scaly; scales circular
to oblong, round to moderately acute at
apex, round at base, attached near the
centre, minutely hairy at margin, about 5
mm in both directions, brown, more or
less clathrate with thick internal cell-
walls and not transparent surface walls,
the internal wall gradually becoming
thinner outwards. Stipes up to 50 cm
long, stramineous, glabrous.

Figure 9

Scientific Name: Pyrrosia

adnascens (Swartz) Ching
Common Name: Horseshoe felt fern
Family Name: Polypodiaceae
Description: Rhizome long creeping, ca.
1 mm thick, in cross section usually with
a single, central sclerenchyma strand;
phyllopodia 1-2 cm apart, lateral buds
alternating with phyllopodia. Scales
peltate, 3-5 × ca. 1 mm, base entire to
ciliate; acumen light brown, often with a
distinct hyaline margin, ciliate. Fronds
dimorphic. Sterile fronds: stipe 1-1.5
cm; lamina 1-6 × 0.8-2 cm, base
cuneate, apex rounded. Fertile fronds
very gradually narrowed at base to a
stipe of up to 5 cm; lamina 8-25 × 0.45-
0.8 cm, apex obtuse to acute.
Figure 10
Usage: The whole plant is used in
traditional Chinese medicine.

35
 Scientific Name: Asplenium polyodon G.
Forst
Family Name: Aspleniaceae –
Spleenwort family
Common Name: Sickle speenwort
Genus: Asplenium L. – spleenwort
Description: Rhizome stout, short
creeping, densely covered in red-brown,
narrowly triangular scales up to 10 × l
mm. Stipes 100-300 mm long, dark
brown, stiff, densely covered in scales
similar to but smaller than those of the
rhizome. Laminaelanceolate, 250-500
(or more) × 100-200 mm, dark green and
glossy above, paler and dull below,
frequently pendulous, pinnate.
Usage: Fern was useful for ailments of
the spleen, due to the spleen-shaped sori
on the backs of the fronds. The bird's-
nest ferns are commonly found for sale
Figure 11 as a house plant.

Scientific Name: Aglaomorpha heraclea

Family Name: Polypodiaceae
Common Name: Copel
Genus: Aglaomorpha
Description: A coarse epiphytic fern
with large (100-250cm), leathery, dark
green fronds and a broad, brown, wooly
rhizome. The fronds are placed close
together on the rhizomes and their bases
are expanded and overlap to trap litter.
Plants need a coarse mixture, bright light
and humidity.

Figure 12

36
 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

Several natural and man-made interventions have affected the species richness

of pteridophytes found within and along Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Although pteridophytes are vascular plants that produce neither flowers nor seeds and

instead, reproduce and disperse only via spores and are sometimes nuisance, it

actually provides some benefits like they are used as soil-binders, an additional

organic matter, medicine for some minor ailments, and are frequently planted as

ornamentals.

This study aims to determine the pteridophytic species found in Barangay

Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon and assess the distribution and the ecological

status of these pteridophytic species.

Three sampling areas were identified namely Quadrat 1, Quadrat 2, and

Quadrat 3. Each quadrat is 20x20 meters in diameter.

An entirety of 279 individual species were accounted, 80 individual species in

Quadrat 1, 61 individual species in Quadrat 2 and 138 individual species in Quadrat 3.

A total of 8 species were then accounted for this study.

Results then shows that there were different species found in every quadrat but

there is no significant difference between the distributions of pteridophytic species

found in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

37
Conclusion

The following were concluded from the findings of the study;

1. That there is a significant difference between the distributions of

pteridophytic species found in Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City,

Bukidnon.

2. That there were a total of 8 pteridophytic species found in

conducting this study, Species Richness of Pteridophytes in

Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

3. That each pteridophytic specimen accounted for this study is

sometimes not found in any of the three identified quadrats and that

the diversity of pteridophytic species in Barangay Lurogan,

Valencia City, Bukidnon is below the standard level due to several

natural and man-made interventions.

38
Recommendations

The results of the study conducted give the researchers a concise and brief

basis on the findings. On the basis of the foregoing findings and conclusions, the

following were made:

1. The researchers recommend using a much modern technique and highly

stylized technology in the sampling for more accurate information to be

obtained.

2. It is highly recommended that further studies similar to this be conducted

for detailed morphological description of species prior to the submission of

the specimen to any institution or learned individuals for verification of

species may be new to science.

3. The researchers would also recommend promoting sustainable

management of Barangay Lurogan, Valencia City, Bukidnon and entitling

movements towards its protection, preservation, conservation and

rehabilitation.

39
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42
Appendix

43
Sampling Area 1

Sampling Area 2

44
Sampling Area 3

45