Student researchers to study distribution, dispersal of ‘vulnerable’ trees in Quezon forest

LUCENA CITY – A group of student researchers from a state university here will try to determine the distribution and dispersal of vulnerable species of trees in Quezon Protected Landscape (QPL) in a research study.

These students researchers from Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) will study the Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb), Kamagong (Diospyros discolor) natural regeneration, and seed dispersal of Palo Santo (Triplaris cumingiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey) in QPL.

The SLSU students presented their proposed project to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), which issues clearance before any programs, projects, and activities are carried out in a specific area.

The said protected area in Quezon was selected as the area of study since it serves as a home for various native tree species and is one of the protected areas in the Philippines.

Almaciga and Kamagong are listed as “vulnerable” in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2004-15 and in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

This means that these native tree species are under threat from adverse factors.

The student researchers on the other hand will also include Palo Santo in their study as this is a species which can cause competition with locally important plants for space, nutrients, and water.

Hence, the researchers want to determine the distribution and dispersal pattern of these native tree species for future reference and help in the management and decision-making processes for QPL.

The students are hoping that after determining the status of these native trees, the information gathered in their proposed studies would serve as the foundation for monitoring, reference and baseline data for stakeholders and future studies within the protected area.