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An ethnobotanical study of the plant

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Albay, Philippines

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 Journal of Nature Studies 8(1): 1-10
ISSN: 1655-3179

A ETHOBOTAICAL STUDY OF THE PLAT BIODIVERSITY OF

MT. MAYO, BICOL PEISULA, ALBAY, PHILIPPIES

Inocencio E. Buot Jr.

Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
and School of Environmental Science and Management,
University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna, Philippines
email: ibuotjr@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT - A total of 71 woody species belonging to 49 genera and 33 families are recorded along the
altitudinal range of 500 -2200 meters above sea level on the northwestern side of Mt. Mayon, Bicol Peninsula,
Albay, Philippines. Ethnobotanical uses are diverse ranging from being medicinal, food, timber, firewood,
ornamental, sources of fibers, industrial compounds to being poisonous. Thirty-two percent of the species are
endemics while the rest are indigenous showing greatest development in the Malesian phytogeographical region.
Endemism is very high despite volcanic activity and extensive anthropogenic disturbances such as slash and
burn farming and overharvesting of plant biota for sale to domestic tourists. There is an urgent need to
determine the biochemical basis for the identified uses of Mt. Mayon plants as this may pave the way to drug
discovery and hence, economic development of the locality. An effective domestication program of Mt. Mayon
plant biodiversity involving the surrounding local communities could be practical and convenient for everyone
and favors protection of the entire Mt Mayon ecosystem and any other forests for that matter.

Key words: ethnoecology, man-environment interaction, Mayon Volcano, plant diversity, economic botany.

ITRODUCTIO
Ethnoecological studies deal with the interaction
between people and the nature (Cunningham 1996,
Martin 1995). It becomes more ethnobotanical if it is
the interaction between people and plants. In the
Philippines, ethnobotanical works on the biodiversity of
mountains are very few despite the rich ethnodiversity
and the impressive megadiversity of flora and fauna
(Mittermeier et al., 1997) in the country. There is a
need to document the folk uses of biodiversity which
could range from being a food, medicinal, ornamental
or a poison plant, to that of an important constituent in
traditional cultural rituals or maybe charms or amulets
of rural communities. Such studies are very important
to determine the real economic value or essence of our
megadiversity. The megadiversity is nothing unless we
know its purpose and its worth and practical relevance
to our survival.
Assessment of biodiversity and ethnobotany along
altitudinal gradient is critical in determining the wealth
of resources people can benefit from and that people
need to protect. Results would be very relevant in land
use planning and zonation of mountain landscapes
which are vital to species and habitat conservation and
satisfaction of people residing in the vicinities.
Many mountains in Bicol region are left unattended
with respect to biodiversity and ethnobotanical studies
along altitudinal gradients despite the threatening
destruction and extinction of biota either through
natural or anthropogenic causes.
Mt. Mayon, the world’s most perfect cone located
in Albay, is one of these. Mt. Mayon (2462 m above
sea level) is an active volcano renowned throughout the
world for its beautiful cone. The vegetation zones
and the dominants had been reported by Buot (2005,
2008). He identified three altitudinal vegetation
zones of woody species on the northwestern side of
the volcanic mountain ecosystem. Each zone was
named after the most dominant species determined
following the method of Ohsawa (1984). Zone I was
Erythrina-Ficus-Glochidion zone (500-800 m asl),
Zone II was Astronia-Cyathea-Weinmannia zone
(900-1500 m asl) while Zone III was Eurya-Clethra-
*eonauclea-Fagraea-Vaccinium zone (1600-2200 m
asl). Detailed description and analyses of these
altitudinal vegetation zones can be found in Buot
(2008). Mt. Mayon is also the home of wild pigs,
wild cats and lizards, too.
Settlers are found along the immediate boundary
of Mt. Mayon. Illegal collection of Mt. Mayon
resources has been reported. Habitat destruction and
species extinction are unavoidable on Mt. Mayon.
Hence, regular biodiversity assessment and
ethnobotanical studies along altitudinal zones of the
volcano are imperative just like the works of Maundu
et al 2001, Cunningham et al., 2002, Martin et al.,
2002, Koizumi and Momose 2007).
The present study aimed to 1) study the
ethnobotany of the biodiversity along the altitudinal
gradients reported by Buot (2008) on Mt. Mayon
(e.g. wild food plant, medicinal plant, poison plant or
plant used in traditional cultural rituals), and 2)
classify plant biota used by local folks into
indigenous, endemic or exotic species.

Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
Buot Jr.
METHODOLOGY
Describing the Study Area. The study area was Mt.
Mayon National Park (13016’ N latitude and 1230 42’ E
longitude) located in Albay, Bicol Peninsula, southern
Luzon, Philippines (Fig. 1). Mt. Mayon (Fig. 2) is a
national protected area under the National Integrated
Protected Area System (NIPAS). It is a favorite tourist
destination (Buot and Tapay 2003, Tapay and Buot
2003) owing to its near perfect cone (Fig. 2) and its
awesome and breathtaking scenery during eruption (Fig
3). It covers an area of 250 sq. km or roughly 10% of
Albay province. Its base circumference is 63 sq. km
and its slope angle steepens gradually until it reaches
the maximum of 35 degrees (Mines and Geosciences
Bureau – PHIVOLCS and Earth Remote Sensing
Analysis Center 1998). The topography is characterized
by scattered fertile plains and valleys, consisting of
rough ridges and deep ravines and seven major river
systems. Mt. Mayon is considered to be the one of the
most active volcanoes in the Philippines (Paterno
1992). It periodically erupts every eight (8) or ten (10)
years for the last forty (40) years, having had at least
forty-seven (47) eruptions since 1616 (Ramos-Villarta
et al 1985).
omenclature and biometrics. All woody
Figure 1. The Philippine map indicating the study area
(bold arrow).
Mt. Mayon is classified as strata volcano or
composite cone. It consists of deposit materials, lava
flows, air fall deposition, pyroclastic flows and lahar
flows triggered by rainfall (Mines and Geosciences
Bureau – PHIVOLCS and Earth Remote Sensing
Analysis Center, 1998). This condition leads to the
consequent formation of gravelly sandy loam soil with
extreme acidity and very low natural fertility.
The watershed falls in Type II climate where rainfall
Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
2
is very pronounced during the month of December to
January and a dry summer season from March to
May (PAG-ASA, Albay 2002). Average yearly
rainfall is approximately 4330 millimeters. The
average relative humidity is about 83%.
The National Statistical Coordination Board
(2002) indicated the land use on Mt. Mayon. Evident
are patches of slash and burn clearing (kaingin),
cultivated and planted to coconuts, fruit trees and
abacas. Some of these kaingin areas are still being
planted to vegetables, camote, and other seasonal
root crops. These cultivated areas were made by
transient migrants.
Documenting the Economic uses of Mt. Mayon
Plant Biodiversity. Uses of plants by local people
were documented by non-structured interviews with
plant collectors and other local residents. (Sample
guide questions:…What is the local name of the
plant?..., What is the local use?..., Is it always
collected by the local residents?..., Why?..., Do you
have other sources of this plant aside from Mt.
Mayon?..., Where?). Plant collectors and local
residents interviewed were selected based on the
recommendation by the local DENR office.
Two plant collectors (Jose Bon Jr. of Mt.
Mayon, Tabaco City and Alfredo Orendain of
Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay) and four local
residents (Alfredo Brutas of Canaway, Malilipot,
Albay, Juan Berces of Calbayog, Malilipot, Albay,
Teresa Buban of Buang, Tabaco, Albay, and
Bonifacio Odiver of Matnog, Daraga, Albay were
interviewed.
Most of the information on uses, however, were
taken from books (Rojo 1999, Merrill 1923-1926)
since local residents know more of the firewood,
timber, and ornamental plants only. Taxon
information whether it is endemic, indigenous or
exotic and region of greatest distribution and
development were noted from Philippine taxonomic
literature.
species having at least 0.5 m in height measured by
Buot (2008) in his vegetation zonation study using a
combined quadrat and point centered quarter
methods (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974)
from 500-2200 meters above sea level (m asl) were
considered samples representing the Mt. Mayon plant
biodiversity. Nomenclature followed that of Merrill
(1923-1926) but were updated by Dr. J.F. Veldkamp
of the National Herbarium of Netherlands.
RESULTS AD DISCUSSIO
Plant Biodiversity along Altitudinal Gradients.
A total of 71 woody species belonging to 49 genera
and 33 families were recorded by Buot (2008) along
the altitudinal range of 500 -2200 m asl on the
northwestern side of Mt. Mayon (Table 1). The
physical and structural characteristics of the various
sampling sites are presented in Table 2.
The flora is dominated expectedly by Malesian
An Ethnobotanical Study Of The Plant Biodiversity Of Mt. Mayon 3

Figure 2. Mt. Mayon showing its perfect cone and a cloud forming a belt at the montane zone (photo by IE
Buot, Jr.).

Figure 3. A breathtaking view of Mt. Mayon during the eruption in 2000 (photo bought from vendors).

Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
Buot Jr.
elements like families Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae,
Urticaceae and Verbenaceae. This is true to many
other mountains here just like Mt. Pangasugan in
Leyte (Belonias and Aguilar 2004) and Mt Makiling
in Los Banos, Laguna (Aragones 1991, Payawal and
Markgraf 1981, Luna et al., 1999, Brown 1919,
Trelease and McLean 1919) or generally in any other
tropical mountain (Richards 1996). In contrast, only
Lauraceae which is well developed in the northern
floristic regions (Buot and Okitsu 1997a, 1997b, 1998,
1999, Gonzalez-Salcedo 2001, Buot 2007) is
represented with a number of component species
comparable to the aforementioned Malesian families.
Ethnobotany of the Biodiversity on Mt. Mayon.
Uses of the plant biota along the altitudinal slopes of
Mt. Mayon (Table 1) are diverse ranging from being
medicinal, food, timber, firewood, ornamental,
sources of fibers, industrial compounds (such as
tannin, etc.) to being poisonous (Rojo 1999, Merrill
1923-1926). Many people had not known the uses of
these woody plants yet, other than plants for firewood
and timber purposes. This implies that much work
have to be done to examine the biochemical basis on
the potential uses of these plants in industries and
pharmacy. Once realized, this could pave the way to
economic development in the locality benefiting local
residents.
At present, most plant collectors (Fig. 4) and local
people know only the uses of the herbaceous plants
like ferns and their allies, grasses like Miscanthus (Fig
5A), spice plants like Begonia aequata (Fig. 5B), and
others. They are regularly interacting with these plant
groups most of the times. In fact, many residents were
already observed utilizing these resources extensively.
Abuse in the utilization was evident in places near Mt.
Mayon probably because of the pressure of increasing
population.
Driven by the need to survive, local residents
around the vicinities, engaged in whatever form of job
to sustain life. Observing the promising resources on
Mt. Mayon, the people tried to explore possibilities.
The most rampant around and in Mt. Mayon forests,
were agriculture, tourism and collecting of biota,
either for family and/or commercial use (Fig. 4-5).
Trees from the various slopes of Mt. Mayon were
cut for timber, firewood and for other purposes such
as expansion of agricultural farms. The influx of
tourists on Mt. Mayon who were appreciative of the
local plant biodiversity gave local residents the hint to
start collecting plants for sale to daily visitors. Most of
these plants are ferns and their allies, other herbs and
dwarf plants collected from Zone III of Buot (2008).
Most plants from Zone III are very short (Table 2)
because of stressful environmental conditions in the
higher altitudes (2100-2200 m asl) (Buot 2001, Buot
and Okitsu 1998, 1999, Ohsawa 1984). Dwarf plants
are easily sold as bonsai. These activities indeed
started to reshape the forest landscape of Mt. Mayon.
This is alarming if continued over a prolonged
period of time. This may result to extinction of many
Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
4
indigenous and endemic species on Mt. Mayon (Table
1). We have to understand that the Mt. Mayon biota
are already strained due to frequent eruption of the
volcano. When anthropogenic stressors will intensify
and aggravate the present predicament of the
ecosystem, we do not even know yet how long Mt.
Mayon palnt biota could be resilient enough to cope
with the extreme disturbance.
Conservation Strategies. Surprisingly, 23 or so out
of 71 woody species on Mt. Mayon are endemic to the
Philippines (Table 1) following Merrill (1923-1926)
and Rojo (1999). This is a very high figure already in
an area with active volcanic activity and frequent
eruption. The rest are either indigenous or yet
uncertain as to the distribution of the species/taxon.
Table 1 further shows that the region of greatest
development of Mt. Mayon taxa is the Malesian
phytogeographical region (Merril 1923-1926, Rojo
1999). Two each were determined as Pantropic
(Calophyllum inophyllum and Symplocos
cochichinensis) and Australasian (Litsea perrottetii
and Premna obtusifolia) while one had its greatest
development in India (Erythrina variegata).
We have to understand that the endemics (32%) on
Mt. Mayon are part of the global heritage being found
only in the Philippines. Hence, it is indeed miserable
to lose anyone of them under whatever circumstance.
However people need to survive as well. Therefore
there should be a just and fair solution to this issue
having in mind not only the ecosystem but the people
as well (Kaplan et al., 1998).
Declaring an area as protected had been thought of
as a very good strategy in conserving the plant
biodiversity. Indeed, it is enough if there were no
intervening issues/problems as social and economic
complexities. But there are! Hence the need for an
additional strategy.
A participatory approach in the conservation of Mt.
Mayon resources may be the most appropriate.
Consultation with local residents and collectors can
help design a conservation scheme that will be both
ecologically sustainable and socially acceptable. One
possible strategy would be scheduled and managed
harvesting of resources from the various slopes by
different groups of collectors. However, though this
appears quite promising, yet the mere fact that Mt.
Mayon is a national protected area, this may not be the
best alternative. It depends on the DENR.
Another possibility would be gardening of Mt.
Mayon plants on a larger scale. People will then have
to domesticate and farm Mt. Mayon plants and once
ready and marketable, sell them to interested tourists
visiting the area. This could be a good alternative to
solve the issue on biodiversity conservation on Mt.
Mayon.
Plant domestication as a way of conserving
indigenous fruit species is widely practiced in Africa
(Ejiofor et al., 1988, Okafor and Lamb 1994, Okafor
1978, 1980, 1991). Conservation of economically
important species through cultivation was also
suggested by Buot (1999, 2004).
 An Ethnobotanical Study Of The Plant Biodiversity Of Mt. Mayon 5

Table 1. Plant biodiversity along the altitudinal gradient on the northwestern slope of Mt. Mayon. The family
names are arranged alphabetically under which the scientific names are also in alphabetical order. The
common name, uses, nature of species and region of greatest development are noted.

REGIO OF
FAMILY AME/ ATURE OF
COMMO AME* USES** GREATEST
SCIETIFIC AME SPECIES***
DEVELOPMET***
ANACARDIACEAE
Semecarpus cuneiformis Blanco Ligas (Tag.) Medicinal & poisonous Endemic -
Semecarpus philippinensis Engl. - Medicinal & poisonous Endemic -
CHRYSOBALANACEAE
Chrysobalanos sp. - - - Malesia
CLETHRACEAE
Firewood species and
Clethra lancefolia Turcz. Malaklak Endemic -
hardwood for construction
CRYPTERONIACEAE
Crypteronia cumingii (Planch.) Endl Tigauon Timber Indigenous Malesia
CUNONIACEAE
Weinmannia hutchinsonii Merr. Hutchinson kalilan Timber Endemic -

Perching materials for

CYATHEACEAE
ornamental epiphytes
Cyathea sp. 1 - - Malesia
Perching materials for
Cyathea sp. 2 - - Malesia
ornamental epiphytes
Cyathea sp. 3 - - Malesia
Perching materials for
ornamental epiphytes
DILLENIACEAE
Dillenia sp. - Medicinal - Malesia
ERICACEAE
Vaccinium myrtoides (Blume) Miq. Alimani (Ilk.) Edible fruits Indigenous Malesia
Vaccinium sp. - Firewood - -
EUPHORBIACEAE
Timber and medicinal
Glochidion breynioides C.B. Rob. Matang-buiu (Bik.) Indigenous Malesia
Firewood
Glochidion rubrum Blume - - -
For cough
Glochidion sp. Matang-hipon (Tag.) Indigenous Malesia
Dye and tannin-producing
Macaranga tanarius (L.) Muell.-Arg. Binunga (Tag.) Indigenous -
plants
FABACEAE
Erythrina variegata L. Mottled leaf Dapdap (Tag.) Medicinal Indigenous Indian
FLACOURTIACEAE
Hydnocarpus alcale C.DC. Dudua (Tag.) Medicinal Endemic -
GESERIACEAEA
Cyrtandra ferruginea Merr. - Timber Endemic -
GUTTIFERAE
Calophyllum inophyllum L. Bitaog (Tag.) Timber - Pantropic
Callophyllum sp. - Timber Indigenous Malesia
LAURACEAE
Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal Kalingag (Tag.) Medicinal Endemic -
Litsea luzonica (Blume) F.-Vill. Dungoi (Tag.) Firewood Endemic Malesia
Litsea perrottetii (Blume) F.-Vill. Marang (Tag.) Firewood Indigenous Australasia
*eolitsea sp. - Firewood - -
*eonauclea sp. - Firewood - Malesia
LEEACEAE
Leea sp. - Firewood - -
Leea philippinensis Merr. Kaliantan (Tag.) Firewood Endemic -
LOGAIACEAE
Fagraea ceilanica Thunb. Kabal (Tag.) Timber and medicinal Indigenous -
MELASTOMATACEAE
Astronia rolfei Vidal Dungau-pula (Tag.) Firewood Endemic -
Medinilla sp. - Ornamental - Malesia
Melastoma malabathricum L. - Medicinal Indigenous -
MELIACEAE
Toona calantas Merr. & Rolfe Kalantas (Tag.) Timber Indigenous Malesia
Toona ciliata M. Roem. Lanipga (Bik.) Timber Indigenous Malesia
MIMOSACEAE
Pithecellobium clypearia (Jack) Benth. - Timber - Malesia
MORACEAE
Broussonetia sp. - Firewood - Malesia
Ficus benguetensis Merr. Tabul (Tag.) Firewood Endemic -
Ficus gul Laut. Et K.. Schum Butli (Tag.) Firewood Indigenous Malesia
Ficus guyeri Elmer Agupili (Tag.) Firewood Endemic -
Ficus minahassae (Teijsm. & de Vr.) Miq. Hagimit (Tag.) Fiber plants Indigenous Malesia
The soft & fleshy fruits are
Ficus nota (Blanco) Merr. Tibig (Tag.) Endemic -
eaten raw.

Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
 Buot Jr. 6

Table 1 (Continuation). Plant biodiversity along the altitudinal gradient on the northwestern slope of Mt.
Mayon. The family names are arranged alphabetically under which the scientific names are also in alphabetical
order. The common name, uses, nature of species and region of greatest development are noted.

REGIO OF
FAMILY AME/ ATURE OF GREATEST
COMMO AME* USES**
SCIETIFIC AME SPECIES*** DEVELOPMET*
**
MORACEAE
Ficus septica (Burm.f. Medicinal, mainly to cover & cure wounds,
Hawili Indigenous Malesia
boils & sores
Ficus sp. 1 - Firewood - Malesia
Ficus sp. 2 - Firewood - Malesia
Ficus sp. 3 - Firewood - Malesia
Ficus ulmifolia Lam. Is-is Fruits are edible Endemic -
Ficus variegata Blume
Tangisang bayawak Plants producing exudates Indigenous Malesia
MYRISTICACEAE
Knema glomerata (Blanco) Merr. Tambalau Medicinal seed-oils & locally used timbers Endemic -
MYRSIACEAE
Ardisia sp. - Medicinal - Malesia
MYRTACEAE
Syzygium sp. - Timber - Malesia
RUBIACEAE
Coptasapelta olaciformis (Merr.) Elm. Medicinal Endemic Malesia
Mussaenda sp. -
- - Malesia
*eonauclea sp. -
- - Malesia
SAPIDACEAE
Guioa falcata Radlk. - Endemic -
SAURAUIACEAE
Saurauia latibractea Merr.,En. Philip. Kolalabang (Tag.) Timber Endemic -
Saurauia sorsogonensis Merr. - Timber Endemic -
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Itea macrophylla Wall. Kodai (Ig.) Ornamental evergreen trees Indigenous Malesia
STERCULIACEAE
Pterocymbium tinctorium (Blanco.)
Merr. Taluto (Tag.) Timber Indigenous Malesia
SYMPLOCACEAE
Symplocos cochichinensis (Lour.) S.
Moore Agosip (Tag.) For stomachache - Pantropic
THEACEAE
Eurya sp. - Firewood and medicinal - Malesia
ULMACEAE
Trema orientalis (L.) Blume Diuretic, febrifuge and for
Anabiong (Tag.) Indigenous -
stomachache
URTICACEAE
Cypholophos molluccanus (Bl.)
Miq. - Firewood
Indigenous Malesia
Dendrocnide meyeniana (Walp.) Lipang kalabaw Analgesic
Endemic -
Chew (Tag.) Firewood
Endemic -
Laportea luzonensis Radlk. Lipa (Tag.) Used to treat phthisis, cough, headache
Indigenous Malesia
Leucosyke capitellata (Poir.) Alagasi (Tag.) & gastralgia
Indigenous Malesia
Wedd. Alilaua (Neg.) Firewood
Villebrunea trinervis Wedd.
VERBEACEAE
Callicarpa sp. - Medicinal, fish-poison etc. - Malesia
Callicarpa candicans (Burm.f.) For abdominal troubles & amenorrhea.
- - -
Hochr Used as a fish poison also
Clerodendrum brachyanthum Given as a tonic for stomach problems
Schauer Mangha and in large doses is considered Endemic
abortive
Clerodendrum cumingiana
Salumget For stomachache Endemic Malesia
Schauer
Premna obtusifolia R.Br. Diuretic, febrifuge and for
Alagau-dagat (Tag.) Indigenous Australasia
stomachache
Wenlandia sp. - Firewood - Malesia
* Rojo (1999) since after all, Tagalog terms were used as common names by people (e.g. dapdap for Erythrina). Bik = Bicolano.
Ilk. = Ilocano, Neg. = Negros Bisaya, Tag. = Tagalog. Other names have no indication of the dialect used. Still others, have
unknown common names.
** All other uses except for firewood, timber and ornamental, are after Rojo (1999).
*** As indicated by Merrill (1923-1926) & Rojo (1999); - no clear indication of the region of greatest development.

Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
An Ethnobotanical Study Of The Plant Biodiversity Of Mt. Mayon 7

Table 2. Physical and structural characteristics of the various sampling sites along the altitudinal gradients on
Mt. Mayon.
SAMPLIG SITE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Altitude(m) 500 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1900 2100 2200
S 150 S 850 S 100 S 300 S 420 S 30 S 800 S 450 N 450 S 150 S 360 S 180 N 600 N 500 N 500
Exposure E E E E E W E E E W W W E E E
Slope (degree) 60 60 40 18 20 18 30 35 45 45 45 50 45 60 60
Plot size (m2)/Number
100 100 100 sq
of points (point 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
sq m sq m m
centered quarter)
Number of species 18 19 33 26 22 19 25 18 16 16 11 6 4 4 3
Maximum DBH (cm) 25.46 95.49 79.58 111.4 127.32 111.4 127.32 79.58 65.57 57.3 63.66 57.3 13.69 6.05 3.18
Maximum height (m) 8 10 40 25 18 10 10 8 7 8 8 5 7 3 2

Figure 4. A plant collector climbing on to the upper slopes of Mt. Mayon (photo by IE Buot, Jr.).

Figure 5. A. Miscanthus stems used as wall materials for farm houses and as garden trellis. B. Begonia aequata
(local, maasim) collected from Zone I of Mt. Mayon and used as spice by local residents (photo by
IEBuot, Jr.).

Journal of
ature Studies 8(1) January – April 2009
Buot Jr.
SUMMARY AD COCLUSIO
The documented economic uses of the plant
biodiversity on Mt. Mayon are very encouraging. The
results should push biologists, pharmacists, chemists
and biochemists together to determine the biochemical
basis of the indications. We have to explore our
endemic and indigenous megadiversity for the benefit
of the human society. However, there should be a
regulated exploration especially in the case of Mt.
Mayon because human activity could worsen the
stress due to frequent volcanic activity. An effective
domestication program of Mt. Mayon plant
biodiversity involving the surrounding local
communities could be practical and convenient for
everyone and favors protection of the entire Mt
Mayon ecosystem and any other forests for that
matter.
ACKOWLEDGEMETS
The author is thankful to the following: Bicol
Studies Program (BSP) of the University of the
Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) for funding the study;
Forester Rodolfo M. Matusalem [Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources Officer,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Legaspi City] for his approval of the
research study in Mt. Mayon National Park; Forester
Pepito Asis, Ms. Alleth Agripa, Mr. Alfredo Orendain
and all the staff members of the Protected Area
Office-DENR for their generous assistance in the
field; Dr.J.F. Veldkamp, (Taxonomist and Editor-in-
Chief of the Flora Malesiana Bulletin, National
Herbarium of Netherlands) for his valuable
corrections and suggestions on nomenclature; Mr
Danilo N. Tandang (Philippine National Herbarium,
National Museum, Manila), Mr. Nino Vidal (formerly
of the Center for Integrative and Development
Studies, UP System) and Ms. Ma. Celeste N.
Banaticla (Plant Genetic Resources Center,
International Rice Research Institute, Los
Banos,Laguna) for their help in the field work and
data analysis.
The author had presented parts of the paper in
various symposia, namely: Philippine Society for the
Study of Nature Scientific Meeting in Cebu City,
Philippines (May 2003) and Tagbilaran City,
Philippines (May 2004), and the East Asian
Federation of Ecological Societies Meeting in Mokpo,
Korea (October 2004).
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 Buot Jr. 10

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