Philippine E-Journals

Forest Litterfall in Mount Kasunogan

Irvin Dan B. Belar | Dave H. Estrada | Racel S. Ornopia | Janycka Rubja B. Pederiche | Ralph Louie C. Razon | Marinelle B. Tabanao

 

Abstract:

Forest litterfall is plant materials that have been fallen to the ground. It is vital in the process of nutrient forests. The vegetation of the stations in Mount Kasunogan consisted of 7 plant species from 7 different families; Tamanu (Calophyllum) from Calophyllaceae, Sweet flag (Calamus Sp) from Acoraceae, Pitanga (Eugenia Sp) from Myrtaceae, Cogon Grass (Imperatacylindrica) from Poaceae, Hickory Wattle (Mangium) from Fabaceae, Nutrush (ScleriaScrobiculata) from Cyperaceae, Screw pine (Pandanus Odoratissimus) from Pandanaceae, and Ivory Mahogany (DysoxylumSp) from Meliaceae. The researchers investigated litterfall production and decomposition rate and correlated these two essential processes to the soil physical and chemical composition of Mount Kasunogan. Organic matter, Soil pH level, and Soil Moisture have a significant influence on litter production and what factors could increase or decrease its production. It has been denoted that all soil attributes (Organic matter, Soil pH level, and Soil Moisture) impact forest litterfall production. However, two of the attributes, which are the organic matter and soil moisture, barely contribute to the litterfall. In contrast, the soil pH is perfectly correlated and has a significant effect on litterfall production. Station three's advantage regarding the soil pH and wind presence due to its high elevation explains a large amount of litter production in the area. In this study, it is also concluded that the acidic the soil gets, the faster the decomposition, which also resulted in the faster decomposition in station 2 among the rest of the sites in Mount Kasunogan.