Fungi of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, Southern Luzon, Philippines

Abstract

  Fungal species collection was conducted at Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) at Talisay area, Batangas, Southern Luzon, Philippines (13.662550N, 121.247970E) from the months of March to August 2012. TVPL has an elevation of 600 meters above sea level. This Protected Area is being considered as one of the most diverse forest ecosystems in CALABARZON region, thereby indicating the need for conservation and protection. This paper aims to document the fungal species in the area. Using transect line (TL) method, four transect lines were established from the baseline (200m asl) toward the peak (600masl) with 20m x 30m quadrat sampling. All in all, 12 quadrats were laid out. The fungal species within the quadrats along the TLs were identified and recorded. Simpson’s Index was the Diversity indices used as parameters in assessing fungal species in TVPL Talisay. Opportunistic sampling method was also used during the survey. Field sampling of fungi has resulted to the collection and identification of 75 species belonging to 36 genera and 23 families. There is relatively high fungal species diversity in Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, Talisay as compared with those in other ecosystems in the region. This is the first report of fungi present in TVPL.   Keywords - biodiversity, field survey, forest ecosystem, fungi, Taal Volcano Protected Landscape