Tree assessment and identification in Sitio Onas, Barangay Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Iloilo

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the tree species and the coverage of tree species in Sitio Onas, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Iloilo. It included the inventories, identification, and assessment of tree species present in the area. Trees in Sitio Onas have coverage of 1,242, 124.97 m2 and a perimeter of 4,812.42 m. Sixty-one (61) tree species were identified in the area and a total of 3,068 trees were inventoried. This included thirty-four (34) forest tree species with the total number of 1,951 trees and twenty-seven (27) fruit tree species with a total number of 1,117 trees. Mahogany and mango species were the most dominant species in the area. The species were classified according to their taxonomic classification, and category and tree specification including the phenotypic characteristic. Trees in the area were affected (to be cut) by the construction of the National Irrigation Administration-Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Dam II which included 136 trees with a net volume of 16.5 m3. Moreover, the losses of tree species were caused by illegal cutting of trees for charcoal and furniture. Implementations of environmental laws are not strictly monitored by the local authorities and Local Government Unit (LGU). The results of this study addresses issues on the adoption, conservation, and management of tree species in the barangay.