The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
07-15
10.37547/tajssei/Volume07Issue04-02
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
22 February 2025
ACCEPTED
20 March 2025
PUBLISHED
07 April 2025
VOLUME
Vol.07 Issue04 2025
CITATION
Philomel Innocent P.Obligar, Eric Esteban Contreras, & Elizabeth Dayal.
(2025). Diversity Assessment of Pteridophytes: Species Richness,
Environmental Correlates and Its Uses in Hinulugan Falls. The American
Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations, 7(04), 07
–
15.
https://doi.org/10.37547/tajssei/Volume07Issue04-02
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Diversity Assessment of
Pteridophytes: Species
Richness, Environmental
Correlates and Its Uses in
Hinulugan Falls
Philomel Innocent P.Obligar
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSIY
–
Pilar, Capiz
Eric Esteban Contreras
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSIY
–
Pilar, Capiz
Elizabeth Dayal
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSIY
–
Pilar, Capiz
Abstract:
This study entitled “Diversity Assessment of
Pteridophytes:
Species
Richness,
Environmental
Correlates and Its Uses in
Hinulugan Falls” aimed to
identify the different species of Pteridopytes, determine
the species richness and environmental correlated and
to determine its ethno-medicinal uses. Opportunistic
random sampling technique or visual encounter
technique and transect walk technique were used to
gather data. Species identification were identified with
the help of Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippine
s and
diversity of pteridophytes were determined using
Simpson’s Diversity Index. Environmental correlates or
predictor such as soil analysis and soil pH was done on
laboratory with the assistance from the Municipal
Agriculture Office.
Fourteen (14) species of pteridophytes were found in
Hinulgan Falls. Among the types of habitat identified,
the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were in the
lower stream and the lowest species richness were at
the upper stream. Furthermore, in terms of diversity
index the highest diversity index were at the lower
stream and the midstream and the lowest diversity
index were at the upper stream.
Among the pteridophytes collected from site were used
to cure common ailments such as wounds and skin
disease and were applied directly using the leaves of the
plants. The pteridophytes have higher species richness
in lower and midstream in loamy type of soil having a
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soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and have lowest
species richness in upperstream with a clay loamy
types of soil with a ph of 6.8 which is slightly acidic.
Such environmental predictors such as soil type and
soil ph have no impact on the species richness and
diversity of pteridophytes.
This study entitled “Diversity Assessment of
Pteridophytes: Species Richness, Environmental
Correlates and Its Uses in
Hinulugan Falls” aimed to
identify the different species of Pteridopytes,
determine the species richness and environmental
correlated and to determine its ethno-medicinal uses.
Opportunistic random sampling technique or visual
encounter technique and transect walk technique
were used to gather data. Species identification were
identified with the help of Co’s Digital Flora of the
Philippines and diversity of pteridophytes were
determined
using
Simpson’s
Diversity
Index.
Environmental correlates or predictor such as soil
analysis and soil pH was done on laboratory with the
assistance from the Municipal Agriculture Office.
Fourteen (14) species of pteridophytes were found in
Hinulgan Falls. Among the types of habitat identified,
the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were in
the lower stream and the lowest species richness were
at the upper stream. Furthermore, in terms of diversity
index the highest diversity index were at the lower
stream and the midstream and the lowest diversity
index were at the upper stream.
Among the pteridophytes collected from site were
used to cure common ailments such as wounds and
skin disease and were applied directly using the leaves
of the plants. The pteridophytes have higher species
richness in lower and midstream in loamy type of soil
having a soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and have
lowest species richness in upperstream with a clay
loamy types of soil with a ph of 6.8 which is slightly
acidic. Such environmental predictors such as soil type
and soil ph have no impact on the species richness and
diversity of pteridophytes.
Keywords:
environmental correlates, ethno-medicinal
usage, Hinulugan falls
Introduction:
Hinulugan Falls is one of the tourist
attractions in the Municipality of Pilar. It is located the
mountainous area barangay Tabun-acan. It is inhabited
by many species of plants and animals making it a
subject for many researchers that studies flora and
fauna.
Pteridophytes are vascular plants and have leaves
(known as fronds), roots and sometimes true stems,
and tree ferns have full trunks. Examples include ferns,
horsetails and club-mosses. Fronds in the largest species
of ferns can reach some six metres in length. Many ferns
from tropical rain forests are epiphytes, which means
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).
Pteridophytes do not have seeds or flowers either,
instead they also reproduce via spores. There are
around
13,000
species
of
Pteridophytes.
(http://www.theplantlist.org/)
Pteridophytes range greatly in size. There are tiny
floating ferns used as "green fertilizer" in rice paddies
because they partner with bacteria that pull nitrogen
from the air and "fix" it in chemical compounds that
other plants can use. In some tropical forests, the
largest plants are tree ferns that can be up to 30 meters
(100 feet) tall and have huge spreading leaves up to 4.5
meters (15 feet) in length. Pteridophytes also show a
transition from simple to complex leaves. Some
pteridophyte groups, including the club mosses and
horsetails (classes Lycopodiopsida and Equisetopsida),
have simple microphyllous leaves, featuring a single,
unbranched vein and modest vascular supplies that do
not cause breaks or gaps in the stem vasculature. The
true ferns (class Filicopsida), however, have larger, more
complex macrophyllous leaves whose veins are usually
extensively branched, placing such large demands on
the plant's vasculature that distinctive gaps form in the
xylem and phloem of the stem. All pteridophytes have a
true alternation of generations, in which a dominant
sporophyte generation produces spores through
meiosis, and a free-living gametophyte generation
forms gamete (egg and sperm) by mitosis. Ferns can be
used to illustrate the life cycle stages common to all
pteridophytes. Diploid (2n) fern sporophytes are
familiar to most people and are often found as quiet
accompaniments in floral arrangements. When mature,
the undersides of fern leaves produce clusters of
capsular structures called sporangia, within which
meiosis forms the haploid (n) spores. These spores are
released from the sporangia, often when dry wind
currents cause the active snapping of the capsules,
lofting the spores into the air.
Although most pteridophytes are homosporous
(produce spores that are all the same size), a few groups
are heterosporous with large megaspores and small
microspores.
The
megaspores
produce
megagametophytes that only form eggs, and
microspores only produce microgametophytes and
sperm. Heterospory evolved independently in several
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groups of vascular plants, including all members of the
orders Selaginellales and Isoëtales and those in a few
fern groups (the families Marsileaceae and
Salviniaceae of the class Filicopsida). The most
successful origin of heterospory ultimately resulted in
the
great
diversity
of
seed
plants.
(http://www.biologyreference.com/Po-
Re/Pteridophytes.html)
Mustacisa (2016) stated that to elevate awareness
among people and give value to ferns which rapidly
grow anywhere but being deracinated because of its
low livelihood potential a scientific study was
conducted and aimed to generate a theory that can
shed light on how the participants develop awareness
without formal education and their knowledge on
ferns come into being. To properly meet the aims of
the study, the researcher utilized a grounded theory
combined with axiomatic approach and descriptive
research design to which, the verification used was in-
depth interview in semi-structured type given to the
eighteen farmers. Corollary, the study revealed that
research participants has no formal education but they
are able to distinguish the different members of the
fern family, and tend to develop indigenous knowledge
from the practiced of their ancestors, these lead to
Epistemological
Perception
theorized
by
the
researcher that, an indigenous knowledge and
informal education is not enough, it must be
transformed to scientific facts. As such, the researcher
recommends that the local government unit (LGU) of
the research environment together with the provincial
office of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) must come up with a program that
will divert indigenous knowledge into scientific facts
through formal education. With that collaboration, the
rapid growth of ferns in the place will turn to an
opportunity to form a new livelihood. This is one way
to recognize the diversity, uses and economic value of
ferns.
Amoroso (1998) stated that the economic ferns of
Mindanao, Philippines are slowly being lost and
threatened because of deforestation and increasing
population. This study was conducted to find ways of
conserving these ferns before they would completely
disappear from their natural habitats. Spores of some
economic ferns viz. Platycerium grande, Asplenium
nidus, Blechnum orientale, Cyathea contaminans,
Leucostegia immersa, Asplenium decorum, Pteris
mutilata,
Adiantum
capillus-veneris,
Pteris
mutilatavar.
victoriae,
Osmunda
banksiifolia,
Lygodium japonicum and Lygodium flexuosum were
cultured in vitro to find out the appropriate conditions
for spore germination and to monitor prothallial and
sporophyte development. Among these species of
ferns, the highest percentage of spore germination was
observed in Lygodium flexuosum, Asplenium nidus and
Blechnum orientale (94%
–
95%) thirty days after sowing.
All of them formed prothalli which later gave rise to
sporophytes (plantlets). The sporophytes of Platycerium
grande, Blechnum orientale, Asplenium nidus and
Lygodium flexuosum were successfully transplanted in
potting medium. Thus, spore culture is one way of
conserving and propagating these ferns.
This study was conducted to determine the diversity
assessment of pteridophytes, species richness, its uses
and environmental correlates in Hinulugan Falls.
Specifically, this study was conducted with the following
objectives: 1. to identify the pteridophytes species
present in the upper, mid and lower stream of
Hinulugan Falls, 2. to determine the species richness,
diversity index of pteridophytes species present in the
upper, mid and lower stream of Hinulugan Falls, 3. to
determine the ethno-medicinal uses of pteridophytes
species, and 4. to determine the environmental
correlates of pteridophytes such as soil type and soil ph
to the species richness and diversity.
Results of this study will give a baseline data on the
species of pteridophytes present in Hinulugan Falls.
Many people living in rural or mountainous areas are
economically challenged and do not have sufficient
access to modern medicine. The knowledge about those
local medicinal resources were handed down through
many generations. Ferns have various ethno botanical
uses which could either be for food consumption,
aesthetic value and medicine. This will also give them
idea what are the uses of some pteridophytes species
found in their areas.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This study used the descriptive survey methods. It was
conducted at Hinulugan Falls located at the mountain
ranges of Pilar, Capiz. Most of the area were privately
owned but is one of the tourist attractions of the
municipality. During the conduct of the study the
following materials were used: camera, digital
microscope, calculator, a pen, notebook, laptop
computer, and a specimen jar. Before the conduct of the
study, a permit regarding the conduct was secured from
the Municipal mayor and barangay captain of Barangay
Tabun-acan, Pilar, Capiz. Permit was also secured from
the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources. A
preliminary survey was done to familiarize the area.
First Survey was done on September 15-16, 2018, and
the second survey followed on September 29-30 and
the last was on October 14-15, 2018. The survey was
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done only on Saturdays and Sundays. Opportunistic
random sampling technique or commonly known as
visual encountered method and transect walk
technique were the survey techniques used in the
assessment of pteridopyhtes. During the survey,
species
of
Pteridophytes
were
enumerated,
photograph and were collected and compared to
available protologues for identification. Data bases
such as Co’s D
igital Flora of the Philippines,
Philippineplant.org and other publication on ferns
were also used. Expert from Biodiversity.org were also
asked for further identification. For ethnomedicial uses
of ferns an 5 informant through the referral of
barangay officials were interviewed on the uses of
some pteridophytes. This informant were composed of
a traditional healers, hilot, and an elderly person in the
barangay that uses this plants to cure illnesses. To
measure the species diversity of Pteridophytes in
Hin
ulugan Falls, Simpson’s Diversity Indices were used.
A formula introduced by Curtis and McIntosh (1950)
was also used to determine the species richness.
Sample of soils were collected and were brought to the
laboratory for the analysis of Soil Type and Soil Ph.
Standard laboratory steps for soil analysis were
followed. Soil analysis were done with the assistance
form the personnel of the Municipal Agriculture Office.
To determine the environmental correlates a spatial
ecology analysis were done using Moran’
s I.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Species of Pteridophytes found in Hinulugan Falls
Fourteen (14) species of pteridophytes were found in
Hinulgan Falls. There were more number ferns found
in the lower stream of the falls with 524, followed by the
middle stream with 337 and the last were at the
upperstream with 172 . Pityrogramma calamelaros got
the highest number with 124, followed by dryopteri
with 113, Athyrium niponicum with 107, Davallia
fejeensis with 104, Osmunda regalis with 98, Dryopteris
rythosa,
Woodwardia
unigemmata,
Pteridium
aquilinum
with
84
respectively,
Micrusurum
commutatum with 43, Odontosoria chinensis with 22,
Nephrolepsis brownie with 20, and the lowest in
number were Cyathea contaminans with only 7.
According to Amoroso, V. (2016) an updated species list
and conservation assessment of ferns and lycophytes in
Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao
Oriental are provided on the basis of our recent field
survey and examination of herbarium specimens. One
hundred and fifty-two species, belonging to 27 families
and 72 genera, are recorded. The species figure is about
13% of the total number of fern and lycophyte species
in the Philippines and nearly 20% of the total number on
Mindanao Island. Twelve species are broadly distributed
Philippine endemics and three more are found only on
Mindanao. Nine species are new records for Mindanao.
A site-endemic species, Lindsaea hamiguitanensis, is
also documented. Of the 18 threatened species
recorded, one is critically endangered, seven are
endangered, and 10 are vulnerable.
This suggest that pteridophytes grows better in an area
with conducive ecological conditions. The upper stream
were mostly rocky and are not suitable for plants to
grow. Despite the ecological disturbance in the middle
stream because it is the area where tourist frequently
visits, still the plants grows very well.
Table 1. List and number of species of Pteridophytes found in upstream, midstream and lower stream of
Hinulugan Falls
Scientific Names
No. of Species
Total
Upper Stream
Mid Stream
Lower Stream
Pityrogramma calamelaros
24
41
59
124
Nephrolepsis brownie
8
19
36
63
Xandenboschia auriculata
3
6
11
20
Dryopteris
22
39
52
113
Dryopteris rythosa
18
27
39
84
Osmunda regalis
18
33
47
98
Micrusurum commutatum
6
16
21
43
Athyrium niponicum
18
38
51
107
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Odontosoria chinensis
3
7
12
22
Cyathea contaminans
0
3
2
5
Woodwardia unigemmata
10
25
49
84
Pteridium aquilinum
13
27
44
84
Davallia fejeensis
15
33
56
104
Cyathea
12
23
45
80
TOTAL
13
14
14
Cyathea
Pityrogramma
calamelaros
Pteridium
aquilinum
Woodwardia
unigemmata
Cyathea
contaminans
Odontosoria
chinensis
Athyrium
niponicom
Microsurum
commutatum
Osmunda regalis
Davallia
fejeensis
Drypteris
Xandenboschia
ariculata
Dryopteris
erythrosa
Nephrolepsis
brownii
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Figure 1. Pteridophytes species found in Hinulugan Falls
Species Richness and Diversity Index of Pteridophytes
Among the types of habitat identified, table 2 showed
that the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were
in the lower stream with 14 followed by the midstream
with 14 and the lowest species richness were at the
upper stream with only 13. Furthermore, in terms of
diversity index the highest diversity index were at the
lower stream and the midstream and the lowest
diversity index were at the upperstream.
Several factors affected the species richness in the
upper stream such as the soil type, and climatic
condition. Species richness in the lower and middle
stream were affected by human activities and the
conversion of the area into a tourist attraction.
Nagalingum, (2015) stated that because ferns have a
wide range of habitat preferences and are widely
distributed, they are an ideal group for understanding
how diversity is distributed. Here we examine fern
diversity on a broad-scale using standard and
corrected richness measures as well as phylogenetic
indices; in addition, we determine the environmental
predictors of each diversity metric. Using the
combined records of Australian herbaria, a dataset of
over 60,000 records was obtained for 89 genera to
infer richness. A molecular phylogeny of all the genera
was constructed and combined with the herbarium
records to obtain phylogenetic diversity patterns. A
hotspot of both taxic and phylogenetic diversity occurs
in the Wet Tropics of northeastern Australia. Although
considerable diversity is distributed along the eastern
coast, some important regions of diversity are identified
only after sample-standardization of richness and
through the phylogenetic metric. Of all of the metrics,
annual precipitation was identified as the most
explanatory variable, in part, in agreement with global
and regional fern studies. However, precipitation was
combined with a different variable for each different
metric. For corrected richness, precipitation was
combined with temperature seasonality, while
correlation of phylogenetic diversity to precipitation
plus radiation indicated support for the species-energy
hypothesis. Significantly high and significantly low
phylogenetic diversity were found in geographically
separate areas. These separate areas correlated with
different climatic conditions such as seasonality in
precipitation. The phylogenetic metrics identified
additional areas of significant diversity, some of which
have not been revealed using traditional taxonomic
analyses, suggesting that different ecological and
evolutionary processes have operated over the
continent. Our study demonstrates that it is possible
and vital to incorporate evolutionary metrics when
inferring biodiversity hotspots from large compilations
of data.
Table 2. Species richness and diversity index of Pteridophytes in different types of habitat
Type of Habitat
Species Richness
Diversity Index
Lower Stream
14
0.998
Midstream
14
0.998
Upper stream
13
0.997
Ethno-medicinal Usage of Pteridophytes
Result showed in table 3 that among the ferns
collected from site, were used to cure common
ailments such as wounds and skin disease and were
applied directly using the leaves of the plants.
According to Singh et. Al (2017) a total of 23 plant
species belonging to the 18 genera in 15 families used
in treating 16 different gynecological/reproductive
health related diseases by the tribal women of Gond,
Korku, Bharia, Bhil and Mabasi communities of
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve which contribute to
about 18.66% of total pteridophytic diversity (134
species) of the area. The medicines obtained from
these ferns are used during pregnancy (antenatal), at
delivery, and after delivery (post-partum). Oral
consumption is the most frequently employed route of
administration while inhalation appeared to be the least
preferred route of administration. All plant parts such as
rhizomes, tubers, fronds, leaves, stem and spores are
used as medicine. Leaves were the most popular plant
part utilized in herbal preparations (37%), rhizome
(26%), whole plant (23%) while fronds (including spores)
were used infrequently (14%). Out of 23 species of ferns
utilized for the herbal preparation 52% are common,
26% are occasional and only 22% are rare to the area
.On the basis of the occurrence of the plant habit 12
species are terrestrial, 9 are lithophytes, 2 are epiphytes
on tree and only one is climber .
Timada (2015) find outs that Mt. Musuan was inhabited
by 301 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs, 50 species
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of grasses/sedges, 46 species of herbs, 42 species of
vines, 31 species of ferns, and 3 species of fern allies.
In terms of species number, Mt. Musuan was
dominated by trees. Family Euphorbiaceae had the
highest number of genera and species. In terms of
species number, the family Moraceae and Meliaceae
ranked next to Euphorbiaceae. In terms of genus
number, the family Leguminosae and Annonaceae
ranked next to Euphorbiaceae. Endemism in Mt.
Musuan was quite high, about 24% of all the toal plant
species in the said place. There were 128 endemic
species in Mt. Musuan. Furthermore, 188 species were
recorded as economically important; 48 species,
depleted; 9 species, rare; and 3 species, endangered,
namely: Cananga odorata, Cynometra ramiflora and
Tectona philippinensis. An unusual parasitic plant
(Balanophora fungusa) and a rare gymnosperm
(Gnetum gnemon) were observed in the natural forest.
Trees recorded to have high dominance values were:
Clausina brevistyla, Artocarpus blancoi, Antidesma
ghaesambilia and Alstonia scholaris. Tree profile
diagrams revealed that belt transects established near
the forest trail had lesser number of species than those
established in the inner part of the forest. In situ
conservation of the endangered, rare, and economically
important species, specifically those found in the
natural forest should be done. For plants with botanical
importance, an ex situ conservation should be
conducted by establishing a Green House near the foot
of Mt. Musuan. Mass propagation should be made by
tissue or spore culture techniques for slow growing
plants. Rules and regulations should be implemented to
avoid the occurrence of fires and destruction of the flora
of the said area. Since Mt. Musuan has been designated
as a Zoological and Botanical Garden, plants which are
endemic, endangered, rare, depleted, and economically
important should be properly labeled (scientific and
local names) for the students and visitors to easily
identify the plants.
Table 3. Ethno-medicinal Uses of pteridophytes
Scientific Names
Disease
Plants part Used Mode of
Preparation
Pityrogramma calamelanos
Open Wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Nephrolepsis brownie
Skin Diseases
Leaves
Applied Directly
Xandenboschia auriculata
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Dryopteris
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Dryopteris rythosa
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Osmunda regalis
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Micrusurum commutatum
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Athyrium niponicum
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Odontosoria chinensis
Skin Diseases
Leaves
Applied Directly
Cyathea contaminans
Allergy
Leaves
Applied Directly
Woodwardia unigemmata
Allergy
Leaves
Applied Directly
Pteridium aquilinum
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Davallia fejjensis
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Cyathea
Open wounds
Leaves
Applied Directly
Species richness and Environmental Correlates
The data showed that pteridophytes have higher
species richness in lower and midstream in loamy type
of soil having a soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and
have lowest species richness in upper stream with a
clay loamy types of soil with a ph of 6.8. The species
richness and diversity index have a negative
correlation with the environmental factors such as soil
ph.
According Zhang et. Al (2017) the relationships
between species richness and driving factors might
vary with taxa and spatial scale. In this study they used
plant species data of eight groups from nature reserves
in China, namely pteridophytes, gymnosperms,
angiosperms, vascular plants, Chinese endemic species,
rare and endangered plants, woody plants, and
herbaceous plants, and eight putative environmental
predictors to explore the relationships between plant
species richness and environmental factors at two
spatial scales (temperate region and national scale). Our
data suggested that area, mean annual temperature,
and mean annual precipitation were the determinants
of variation in species richness within these eight groups
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in the temperate nature reserves of Shandong
Province in China. The relationships between plant
species richness and environmental factors were
consistent in different groups. However, the
relationships between species richness and mean
annual temperature varied with spatial scale. In the
temperate region, species richness was negatively
correlated with mean annual temperature and
positively correlated with mean annual precipitation,
whereas on a national scale species richness was
positively correlated with both mean annual
temperature and mean annual precipitation. Our study
confirmed that the relationships between plant species
richness and environmental factors in nature reserves
were consistent in the studied groups and varied with
spatial scale.
Table 4. Species richness and environmental correlates
Type of
Habitat
Species
Richness
Species
Diversity
Soil
Ph
Soil
Type
Moran’s I
Correlation
Coefficient
Phosphorous
Potassium
Lower
Stream
14
0.998
5.0
Loamy
-0.99891
Moderate
Moderate
Midstream
14
0.998
4.9
Loamy
-0.99891
Moderate
moderate
Upper
stream
13
0.997
6.8
Clay
Loamy
-0.99890
moderate
Deficient
CONCLUSIONS
Result revealed that Fourteen (14) species of
pteridophytes were found in Hinulgan Falls. There
were more number ferns found in the lower stream of
the falls with 524, followed by the middle stream with
337 and the last were at the upperstream with 172.
Pityrogramma calamelanos got the highest number
with 124, followed by dryopteri with 113, Athyrium
niponicum with 107, Davallia fejjensis with 104,
Osmunda regalis with 98, Dryopteris rythosa,
Woodwardia unigemmata, Pteridium aquilinum with
84 respectively, Micrusurum commutatum with 43,
Odontosoria chinensis with 22, Nephrolepsis brownie
with 20, and the lowest in number were Cyathea
contaminans with only 7.
Among the types of habitat identified, table 2 showed
that the higher species richness of Pteridophytes were
in the lower stream with 524 followed by the
midstream with 337 and the lowest species richness
were at the upper stream. Furthermore, in terms of
diversity index the highest diversity index were at the
lower stream and the midstream and the lowest
diversity index were at the upper stream.
Result showed that among the ferns collected from site
were used to cure common ailments such as wounds
and skin disease and were applied directly using the
leaves of the plants.
The data showed that pteridophytes have higher
species richness in lower and midstream in loamy type
of soil having a soil ph of 4.9-5.0 which is acidic and
have lowest species richness in upper stream with a
clay loamy types of soil with a ph of 6.8. Such
environmental predictors such as soil type and soil ph
have a negative impact on the species richness and
diversity of pteridophytes.
Recommendations
Based on the result of the study, an in-depth assessment
of pteridophytes should be done to have a baseline data
of the different species found in the municipality of
Pilar. This could help them in policy making on the
conservation of the species which is endemic and had
potential ethno-medical value.
A scientific analysis should be done to analysis the
ethno-medicinal uses of ferns to have a basis for further
studies on its uses. Environmental policies both from
municipal and barangay level be implemented for the
conservation of this species and so regulate local
exploitation practices.
Awareness campaign be conducted on the ecological
importance of ferns and medicinal usage to make the
public knowledgeable on its economic and ethno-
medical value.
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Damaynati Jadhav1*, Manda Ghatage1, Vanita
Karande21. Department of Botany, B V’s M.B. S. K.,
Kanya Mahavdihyalaya, Kadegoan, PHYTOCHEMICALS
STUDIES ON THREE EPIPHYTIC FERNS FROM
MAHABALESHWAR AND PANCHGANI HILLS. 2019 Life
Science Informatics Publication All rights reserved
Peer review under responsibility of Life Science
Informatics Publications
2019 May
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June RJLBPCS 5(3) Page No.680
