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Mosaic interplay of floral diversity, soil properties, disturbance intensity and elevation in the riparian ecosystem under semi-subsistence agriculture of Cordillera Central Range, Northern Philippines

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Abstract

Agricultural activities are known to have significant implications on floral diversity and edaphic condition of riparian ecosystems but the data base to elucidate this phenomenon in the tropical semi-subsistence agriculture setting is insufficient. This study documented the floral diversity and edaphic conditions in the riparian zones of Amburayan River, Northern Philippines as exposed to varying intensities of agricultural activities. A total of 249 vascular plant species belonging to 200 genera and 74 families were documented. Greater agricultural disturbance resulted to lower indigenous and endemic species, lower overall species diversity, lower shrub and tree diversity, but higher herb diversity. In terms of edaphic factors, the soil pH ranges from moderately to slightly acidic (5.37–6.43) while soil texture ranges from loamy sand and sandy loam. The soil organic carbon is lowest in the intensely disturbed stations and highest in less disturbed stations while soil moisture content is significantly higher in the less disturbed stations than in intensely and moderately disturbed stations. Lastly, the soil nutrients, N, P and K range from 0.04–0.36 mg/kg, 4.13–64.90 mg/kg and 86.67 to 253.33 cmol/kg, respectively. The study found significant correlations between the soil condition, agricultural disturbances and floral diversity of Amburayan River. These findings illustrate for the first time in available literature the mosaic interplay of intensity of disturbance, elevation and soil properties with floral diversity in riparian ecosystem under a tropical semi-subsistence agriculture setting.

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  1. University of the Cordilleras, Baguio, Philippines

    Minerva M. Dulnuan

  2. Biology Department, Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Philippines

    Jones T. Napaldet

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Dulnuan, M.M., Napaldet, J.T. Mosaic interplay of floral diversity, soil properties, disturbance intensity and elevation in the riparian ecosystem under semi-subsistence agriculture of Cordillera Central Range, Northern Philippines. Aquat Ecol 57, 613–631 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-023-10033-x

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