Journal of Nature Studies

Mt. Mayon, Albay, Philippines

Abstracts of Volume 3

GUIDE TO AUTHORS

In search of wild macroscopic fungi with potential for cultivation: The Mt. Nagpale expedition

Evaristo A. Abella1, Renato G. Reyes1, Michael John Tayamen1, Benjie L. Garcia1, Emmanuel J. Floresca2, & Jay C. Santos2

1Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development, Department of Biological Sciences, 2Department of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija

Abstract

With the collaboration of the Aetas living in the area, the search for potentially cultivated wild edible macroscopic fungi (macrofungi) of Mt. Nagpale, Abucay, Bataan, Philippines was conducted. The expedition also aimed to collect, identify, and rescue the mycelia of these wild edible species with potential commercial value. The Aetas knew six edible macrofungi that they normally found in the wild: kuwat kawayan (Schizophyllum commune), kuwat susong biik (Coprinus sp.), kuwat maya (Mycena sp.), kuwat punso (Termitomyces sp.), kuwat are (Volvariella volvacea), and kuwat balugbug dagis (Auricularia polytricha). Another macrofungus collected during the expedition with high economic value due to its reputed medicinal properties was Ganoderma lucidum. However, the Aetas only use this macrofungus as an ornament and not as food. Based from interviews and focus group discussions, the Aetas showed considerably high knowledge and positive attitudes about edible macrofungi. They collect the edible species in the forest and ignore the poisonous ones.

Keywords: Aeta, macrofungi, Mt. Nagpale, Philippine fungal flora, wild mushroom

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Satoyama Landscape in the Philippines

I.E. Buot Jr. 1 & K. Osumi2

1Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna, Philippines, 2Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Nagai-Kyutarou 68, Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto, Japan, respectively.

Abstract

Satoyama refers to working landscapes characterized by subsistence farming and secondary forests in Japan. It is maintained by close interaction between people and nature. In the Philippines, these refer to landscapes consisting of subsistence farms and associated wood lots known as muyong, or lakon, or komunal or pinugo in northern Luzon, bundok or gubat in the Tagalog regions and bukid or lasang or bungtod among the Cebuano-speaking localities. Satoyama is always associated with rice farms in Japan, but in the Philippines three distinct satoyama landscapes could be identified: 1) satoyama associated with rice farms, 2) satoyama associated with rice and other crops and, 3) satoyama associated with corn farms. Satoyama in Japan and in the Philippines are experiencing serious biodiversity problems. Most of the endangered species in both countries are found in the satoyama. Preliminary studies in Japan, indicated that the shift of resource utilization from fuel wood to fossil fuels, was the main factor causing the modification of satoyama landscapes, threatening some species that have evolved through years of intimate people and nature interaction to extinction. In the Philippines, however, the main cause of biodiversity loss is the intensive human activity brought about by upland poverty and government land policy. It is important for government leaders and decision makers not to limit the concept of nature conservation and preservation to primal forests only but to include the satoyama working landscapes as well where nature and the local people are in perfect interaction contributing to species biodiversity.

Keywords: biodiversity, landscape ecology, endangered species, indigenous knowledge, satoyama landscape

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Degradation of the Ifugao Rice Rerraces: the Case of Kiangan and Banaue, Philippines

Romeo A. Gomez, Jr. & Enrique P. Pacardo

Assistant Professor IV and Secretary, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Benguet State University (BSU) and Professor Emeristus, School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines, respectively.

Abstract

The world famous Ifugao Rice Terraces in the province of Ifugao, Philippines, has been declared by UNESCO as a “World Heritage Site” in 1995. However, it has been reported that the physical condition of the rice terraces is fast deteriorating. To gain an insight of this problem, a comparative study was undertaken on how to Rice Terraces is being managed in two sites with different levels of degradation. The two heritage sites selected were Barangay Bocos in Banaue which is the more degraded area and Barangay Nagacadan in Kiangan, less degraded area. The results of the study established that the Rice Terraces were in fact being degraded. This process was not limited alone to the destruction of terrace dikes, but also extended to changes in the chemical properties of the soil as well as the social and economic values of the terraces. The destruction of dikes in Bocos were nine times higher than in Nagacadan. The primary destructive agent was perceived to be an extraordinary species of earthworm, although insects like crickets and ants may have also contributed to some extent.

Keywords: degradation, Ifugao Rice Terraces, Kiangan, Banaue

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Ethno-Botany of Some Underutilized Fruit Trees in Rizal, Palawan, Philippines

Romeo R. Lerom

Faculty, Western Philippines University (formerly the State Polytechnic College of Palawan, SPCP), Aborlan, Palawan. Email: romeolerom@yahoo.com

Abstract

There were 24 genera and 38 species of fruit trees, distributed in 19 families utilized as food by the Palaw’an and Tao’t Bato tribes in Rizal, Palawan. The plant parts eaten vary from the type of fruit but edible portions are the aril from the outgrowth of the seed, the mesocarp, and the cotyledon. The economic uses of these fruit trees aside from their fruits as food include: as materials for house construction (posts and roofing), furniture making, and medicinal purposes. Domestication of the fruit tree species that are promising sources of better nutrient for human diet is highly recommended.

Keywords: Palawan, ethnobotany, indigenous, underutilized fruit trees

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Macroscopic Crustacean Diversity and Abundance in Lake Mainit, Mindanao, Philippines

Paul Julius A. Medina & Olga M. Nuñeza

Former BS Biology thesis student and Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics and Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, respectively, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, 9200 Tibanga, Iligan City

Abstract

This study deals with the diversity and abundance of macroscopic crustaceans (macrocrustaceans) in Lake Mainit, Mindanao, Philippines. A modified transect-quadrat method using the local gear was used. The chi-square and variance values were used to establish the spatial and temporal distribution of the macrocrustacean population. Physical and chemical (physico-chemical) parameters were taken and were observed to have deviated from an earlier published record. Five species of macrocrustaceans were caught with a total of 907 individuals. Shannon-Weiver Index of General Diversity (H’=0.325) was low with two of the five species considered rare and only known in the type locality of the lake. Macrobrachium lar was found the most abundant macrocrustacean species. The macrocrustaceans were found to have irregular spatial and temporal distribution. Results imply that macrocrustaceans, with their limited ability to disperse, may be at great risk with the degradation of environmental conditions in the lake. Considering the obtained results, it seems necessary to conduct monitoring studies and formulate policies for the conservation and management of the lake’s resources.

Keywords: crustacean diversity, Lake Mainit

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Early Flowering of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) with Paclobutrazol and Ethrel Application

Jesusa D. Ortuoste, Inocencio E. Buot Jr., & Domingo E. Angeles

Portion of the PhD thesis of the 1st author, Department of Horticulture, UPLB and Associate Professor, Institute of Agriculture, Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College, Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat; Associate Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences and Professor, Department of Horticulture, University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Laguna, respectively.

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the influence of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and ethrel application on the early flowering of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr). Fifteen–month-old large pineapple plants were used in the study. Various histological criteria were employed in determining the anatomical development on the shoot apex as evidence of flowering of field grown large pineapple plants. Samples were taken before and after PBZ application and 15 days after ethrel application to examine the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase of the plants. The time of differentiation was based from the size and configuration of the apical meristem. The earliest evidence of reproductive differentiation was 2 weeks after PBZ application at 25 ppm and 50 ppm, respectively. During this period, gibberellic acid (GA) levels dropped preparing the pineapple plants to assume reproductive phase. Meristem size ranged from 0.2259 to 0.549 mm. Results showed that PBZ and ethrel treated plants had marked increase in meristem diameter. This changed rapidly and uniformly 2 weeks after the application, indicative of the beginning of flowering or reproductive phase. Following the enlargement of meristem area, flower bud primordia were produced as bulges at the margin of the leaf primordia showing the positive influence of PBZ and ethrel application on the early flowering of pineapple.

Keywords: pineapple (Ananas comosus), paclobutrazol, ethrel, shoot apex, anatomical changes, gibberellic acid (GA)

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Fruit bats (Chiroptera; Pteropodidae) of West Papua1

Freddy Pattiselanno2

1Part of training results funded by Conservation International West Papua and Indonesian Program; 2 Animal Science Department, Papua State University, Manokwari West Papua Gunung Salju Amban St., Manokwari 98314 West Papua, Indonesia; Present address: Institute of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños 4031 College, Laguna; Email: fpattiselanno@yahoo.com

Abstract

Seventy-eight bats representing five species were collected during the survey in Yongsu and Mamberamo River Basin in West Papua. All are megachiropteran fruit bats in the family Pteropodidae: Dobsonia minor, Syconycteris australis, Nyctimene albiventer, Nyctimene draconilla, and Paranyctimene raptor. Previous study in Papua New Guinea indicated S. a. papuana is common in New Guinea and its satellite islands, and abundant at all altitudes. It was also noted both Nyctimenes are extremely widespread throughout New Guinea and surrounding islands, especially at lower altitudes. In addition, Parancytimene raptors were netted at the Kikori River basin in Papua New Guinea where the situation is more or less similar to the Mamberamo area. Dobsonia minor an uncommon species was encountered both in primary and secondary forests in New Guinea Island.

Keywords: fruit bats, Pteropodidae, West Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia

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Utilization of Forest Vines by Upland Communities in the Eastern Slopes of Zambales Mountain Range, Philippines1

Honorio M. Soriano Jr., Heracleo R. Arano, & Aristeo A. Hernandez2

1Portion of the Research and Development Program on Wild Food Plants funded by the Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA), Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines; 2Professor VI, Assistant Professor II, and Associate Professor IV, respectively, TCA

Abstract

Utilization of forest vines by upland communities in the eastern portion of Zambales wilderness was investigated from 2001 to 2002. Two hundred respondents (Aetas, Ilokanos and Aberlings) were interviewed using walk-in surveys, guided field walks, and household socio-economic profiling. Forty-one species of forest vines were identified with uses ranging from food, phytocide, medicine, cosmetics, and handicraft manufacture. Household reliance in forest vines was approximately 5-10% of their livelihood. Eighty percent (80%) of the respondents ranked forest vines as supplemental and emergency source of income during dry months of the year.

Keywords: forest vines, Zambales

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Evaluation of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) and other Sapindaceous fruits of the Philippines1

Rachel C. Sotto2, Roberto E. Coronel3, & Roel C. Rabara4

1Paper presented during the 3rd Annual Scientific Convention of the Philippine Society for the Study of Nature, Inc. (PSSN) held at the University of the Philippines Visayas Cebu College, Lahug, Cebu City on May 1-3, 2003; 2University Researcher, 3Research Professor and 4University Research Associate, Institute of Plant Breeding - College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4310 Philippines.

Abstract

Constant improvement of planting materials is dependent on a wide genetic base, which is vital for the future of the country’s fruit industry. These fruit genetic resources need to be evaluated to harness their true potential. Of the approximately 360 edible tropical and subtropical fruit species of the Philippines, 16 belong to the Sapindaceae family. Majority of these exists in the wild state and can be found growing in the forests. Results of the evaluation of four indigenous Sapindaceous fruit species of the Philippines namely, kubili (Cubilia cubili), mamoko (Glenniea philippinensis), alupag (Litchi chinensis ssp. philippinensis), bulala (Nephelium ramboutan-ake), and three introduced Sapindaceous fruit species namely, longan (Dimocarpus longan), lychee (Litchi chinensis), and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), are presented. In addition, diversity indices based on the variation of 189 samples of rambutan collected from all over the country are also presented. These indices would be helpful in monitoring the status of the genetic diversity of the germplasm and in the management of the country’s fruit genetic resources.

Keywords: Sapindaceous fruits, genetic diversity, indigenous