ABSTRACT

ALCALA, AILENE A. University of the Philippines Los Baños, December 2016.

Comparative Analysis of Diversity of Mosses Along Altitudinal Gradients in Sipit

and Makiling Trails, Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve.

Major Professor: Dr. Manuel L. Castillo

One of the essential parts of ecosystem diversity are the mosses. Mosses are often
used as plant indicators for climate change due to their sensitivity to environmental
changes. The study aimed to evaluate the species richness, moss composition and found
out the environmental variables affecting the moss diversity and composition between
Makiling and Sipit trails in Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR). Sampling plots were
established every 100 masl elevation. Moss specimens were collected inside a 100 m2
plot and re-examined under dissecting and compound microscope. Quantitative
determination of light intensity, relative humidity and temperature was undertaken.
A total of 77 moss species belonging to 17 families were identified in plots
established with 43 and 48 species from Makiling and Sipit trail, respectively. In
Makiling trail, the highest species diversity was found in 900 masl while in Sipit trail, the
most diverse quadrat was observed in 1,000 masl. Sampling plots located at higher
elevations tend to have more number of species compared to the sampling plots at lower
elevations. Low species richness in lower elevation can be explained by more
disturbance compared with higher elevation. Furthermore, species richness, diversity and
abundance increases with increasing elevation, RH and light intensity. In contrast, higher
temperature decreases species richness, diversity and abundance. Moss species did not
differ between trail communities, and not affected by changes in temperature, RH and
light intensity. In general, moss diversity is positively affected by increasing elevation in
both trails. This is also supported by correlation analysis on moss species composition
for the two sampling sites while sudden decreases in diversity in sampling plots located
at 600 masl and 900 masl (Sipit Trail) and 800 masl and 1,000 masl (Makiling Trail)
could simply be due to the presence of canopy gaps or disturbances in the site.

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