The species that dominated the tropical rainforest is Triplaris cumingiana with the

relative density of 0.136. Triplaris cumingiana or known as Palo-Santo is a member of the

family polygonaceae which is grown for its ornamental value and timber (Fern, 2014).
The possible reason for its dominance in the tropical rainforest are it is an invasive species,
it has a symbiotic relationship with ants, and efficient seed dispersal. Palo-santo is a native
to Central America and tropical South America but it is an invasive species in the
Philippines and its population may have increased due to absence of natural predators
such as herbivores. Triplaris has hollow branches that allows ants to live in it and this is
beneficial to the plant because it protects it from predators such as herbivores
(Turner,2012). The nut like seeds of Triplaris are easily dispered in the wind due to the
propeller like structure attached to its seed that leads to successful reproduction
(Turner,2012).
The species that dominated the tropical grassland is the Cyperus sp. with the
relative cover of 0.498. The possible reason for is its dominance in the grassland is because
it is highly adapted to hot and moist climates and its level of reproduction is faster in hotter
climates (). It also releases toxins contained in their basal bulb or tubers that effectively
inhibits growth of other plant.

The species of grass are rare in the tropical rainforest due to shortage in light,
competition for water, and nutrient poor soil. In the rainforest, light is limited due to
canopy and shortage of light will inhibit the growth of grass and will produce thin and
long leaves (Baker,n.a.). Grasses cannot also thrive in the rainforest because of the
completion for water between plants. Tropical rainforest soil is known for having low
nutrients and grasses will have to compete with trees that are adapted to low levels of
nutrients in soil (n.a., 2014).
According to the data, the species rare in the tropical grasslands are tall and
woody species of plants. Naturally in the wild, tall and woody species of plants do not
thrive in grassland due to large grazing mammals, occasional fires, and periodic drought
(N.a.,2013). But in the observed grassland in the university, tall and woody plants don’t
thrive because of human intervention such as trimming of grasses.
Baker, M. (n.d.). What Does Grass Need to Survive? Retrieved October 21, 2017, from
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grass-need-survive-93360.html

Food and Agriculture Organization (n.d.). CYPERUS ROTUNDUS. Retrieved October 22,
2017, from http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/thematic-
sitemap/theme/biodiversity/weeds/listweeds/cyp-rot/en/

Fern, K. (2014). Triplaris cumingiana. Retrieved October 21, 2017, from http://tropical.
theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Triplaris%2Bcumingiana
Turner, S. (2012, November 25). Long John or Ant Tree (Triplaris cumingiana). Retrieved
October 21, 2017, from http://www.richardlyonsnursery.com/long-john-or-ant-tree-
triplaris-cumingiana/
N.a.(2013, April 02). Temperate Grasslands. Retrieved October 21, 2017, from
http://www.defenders.org/grasslands/temperate-grasslands
N.a. (2014). Why rainforest soils are generally poor for agriculture. Retrieved October 21,
2017, from http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/rainforests2.html