You are on page 1of 10

Comparative Study of Lizard Population between

Mahogany Plantation and Secondary Old Growth Forest


at Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve

An Extended Abstract Presented to the


Department of Biological Sciences
College of Science
University of Santo Tomas

by

Fabunan, Melody Aivi B.


Gerardo, Mary Antonette O.
Maguslog, Justine P.
Salumbre, Renz L.
Surquia, Joseph Michael S.

4BIO6

Mrs. Mae Lowe Diesmos


Thesis Adviser
INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity is the sum of all the different species of animals,


plants, fungi, and microbial organisms living on Earth and the variety of
habitats in which they live. It underlies everything from food production to
medical research. Scientists have discovered and named only 1.75 million
species—less than 20 percent of those estimated to exist.

Much of the Earth’s great biodiversity is rapidly disappearing. Species


of plants, animals, fungi, and microscopic organisms such as bacteria are
being lost at alarming rates. The increasing awareness regarding the increase
of species extinction has led to the practice of conservation biology through
the principles of biodiversity. Habitat loss and degradation may be the largest
single factor in reptile loss. (Brown et al., 2000) Further researches in the
fields of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology may just pave the way for
further awareness of the current status of animals, in general, and of lizards,
in particular.

It is then the objective of this study to generate an honest evaluation of lizard


population and lizard diversity status between Mahogany Plantation, a
fragmented habitat and Secondary Old-Growth Forest in Mt. Makiling for
further appreciation of the environment and to at least provide a credible view
of the lizard population with respect to biodiversity and habitat fragmentation.

This study dealt with the assessment of lizards found in Mahogany plantation
and Secondary Old Growth forest of Mt. Makiling using species density and
population count.

The study was limited to lizard population in Mahogany Plantation and


Secondary Old-Growth Forest of Mt. Makiling from June-November 2008 only.
METHODOLOGY

Data was gathered from June-November 2008 with a total of 7 sampling trips
using random strip transect distance sampling measuring 50m x 10m each. The
species collected on both sites were captured, placed in Ziplocs, and documented
using digital camera. Species were identified using field guidebooks, consultation
with expert Herpetologist and interview of local residents. The data were tabulated,
graphed and analyzed using statistical tests namely: Species Effort Curve, Mann-
Whitney U test for two independent sample, Simpson index of diversity and
Sorensen Quantitative index. (See Fig.1 for Schematic Diagram of Methodology)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 12 species of lizards were found in both Mahogany plantation


and Secondary Old Growth Forest. (See Table 1)

The total number of species count in the mahogany plantation is 26 while


in the secondary old growth forest yielded a total count of 39. Using Mann-
Whitney U test for two independent samples with a p-value of 31, which is
greater than the critical value of 14 at a confidence interval of 0.05, thus
statistically indicating the difference between the two sampling sites.

Habitat fragmentation directly affects lizard population. This can be


corroborated by the number of species observed in secondary old growth
forest, a less fragmented habitat as opposed to Mahogany Plantation.

The most diverse of both sites is the Secondary Old Growth since there
are 9 identified species present compared to the Mahogany Plantation having
only 5 species present with Eutropis multicarinata as the most frequent
species in both sites, and, Lipinia vittigera in the Secondary Old Growth. On
the other hand, Varanus salvator, Gonocephalus sp., Sphenomorpus steerei
and the 2 unidentified species are the least frequent species. (See Fig.2)

In the two study sites, the group has found out that the most frequent
species namely: Sphenomorphus cumingi, Lipinia pulchella and Eutropis
multicarinata belong to the same family of Scincidae. Skinks, as they are
commonly known, are the most diverse group of lizards. They are found in
various habitats and are more arboreal and terrestrial than aerial or aquatic,
which are catered by the environment of the sampling sites contributing to
their abundance than the other family of lizards.

Similarities between the two sampling sites were also computed using
Sorensen quantitative index. This index has a value of 0 when samples have
no species in common at all, while high value indicates low diversity.
(Magurran, 2006)

The computed value for Sorensen is 0.95, indicating high diversity in


the sampling sites and little commonalities between the two further
corroborating the result from Mann-Whitney U Test for two independent
sample stating that there is a significant difference between the two sites.

Using the Simpson index of diversity, the difference between the two
sampling sites in terms of diversity, was computed. This index states that the
higher the value, the stronger the dominance but lower in diversity. (Odum,
2005)
The computed values were DMahogany of 0.21 and DSecondary of 0.14, thus,
Secondary Old-Growth forest, a natural habitat, is more diverse than the
Mahogany Plantation.
CONCLUSION

This study has focused on the following: a) the diversity of lizard population in
a fragmented and natural habitat; and b) the effect of fragmented habitat in
lizard population diversity.

The group employed random strip transect distance sampling since it is


the most convenient because it facilitates easy counting of species and, due
to the study sites vast area, strip transects can be expediently performed.

A total of 12 species were observed in both mahogany plantation and


secondary old growth. Before diversity can be established, a Mann-Whitney U
Test was performed to detect whether a significant difference exists between
the two habitats. The result yielded that mahogany plantation and secondary
old growth differs in terms of species diversity.

Having established the difference, the Simpson’s index was used to


evaluate the degree of biodiversity with the conclusive result that lizards in the
secondary old growth is much more diverse compared to that of mahogany
plantation. A Sorensen quantitative index was also computed. The result was
that there is minimal lizard species similarity between the two habitats.
REFERENCES:

Brown, R. M., J. A. McGuire, J. W. Ferner, N. Icarangal, Jr. & R. S. Kennedy.


2000. Amphibians and reptiles of Luzon island, II : Preliminary report
on the herpetofauna of Aurora Memorial National Park, Philippines.
Hamadryad Vol. 25 No. 2.

Diesmos, A. C., R. M. Brown, A. C. Alcala, R. V. Sison, L. E. Afuang, G.V. A.


Gee. 2002. Philippine amphibians and reptiles : An overview of
species diversity, biogeography, and conservation. UP Center for
Integrative & Developmental Studies Chronicles.

Magurran, A.E. 2004. Measuring biological diversity. Blackwell Science Ltd. :


India.

Mendenhall, W., R. J. Beaver, B. M. Beaver. 2006. Introduction to probability


and statistics. Brooks/Cole : Singapore.
Mt Makiling Forest Reserve

Mahogany Plantation Secondary Old-Growth Forest

Data gathering (strip-transect distance sampling)

Photograph Documentation

Graphical Analysis Statistical Analysis

- sampling effort curve -Mann-Whitney U test

-Simpson index of diversity

- Sorensen index

Fig.1: A schematic diagram of the Methodology


Table 1: Species account of Lizards in Mahogany Plantation and Secondary Old-Growth
Forest

Mahogany Secondary
Species Plantation Old Growth
Forest
Family Agamidae
Genus Draco X
Draco spilopterus X
Genus Gonocephalus
Gonocephalus semperi
Family Gekkonidae
Genus Gekko
Gekko gecko X
Family Scincidae
Genus Brachymeles
Brachymeles bonitae X
Genus Dasia
Dasia grisea X
Genus Eutropis
Eutropis multifasciata X
Eutropis multicarinata X X
Genus Lipinia
Lipinia vittigera X X
Genus Sphenomorphus
Sphenomorphus jagori X
Sphenomorphus cumingi X X
Sphenomorphus steerei X
Family Varanidae
Genus Varanus
Varanus salvator X
Total 5 10
10
9
8
7
6
5
Count 4
3
2
1
0

S. jagori
D. grisea G. gecko S. steerei
S. cumingi B. bonitae
V. salvator
L. pulchella G.semperi
D. spilopterus
E. multicarinata E. multifasciata
Lizards

Fig.2: Frequency of lizards in Mahogany Plantation and Secondary Old-Growth Forest

You might also like