ISSN 2348-1218 (print)

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online)

Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp: (72-79), Month: July - September 2015, Available at: www.researchpublish.com

Diversity of Bamboo Species in Lubuagan,

Kalinga, North Luzon, Philippines
Maria Cyrila C. Bawer
PhD., Institute of Teacher Education, Kalinga-Apayao State College, Tabuk City, Kalinga Province, Philippines

Abstract: Biodiversity data are necessary to support conservation efforts of diverse non-wood forest natural
resources like bamboos. There is estimated 1,200 bamboo species worldwide and 62 species are identified in the
Philippines. This study determined the biodiversity of bamboo species found in Lubuagan, Kalinga of Northern
Philippines. The randomized complete block design with sub- block sampling was adopted in this study. The
following diversity indices were determined; population density, index of similarity, species richness, diversity and
evenness. Results showed that the study sites harbored ten (10) bamboo species belonging to four (4) genera. Of
these species, six (6) are introduced and four (4) are indigenous of which one (1) is an unknown species (Byila-ay)
belonging to the genus Schizostachyum. Results show that bamboo species diversity, richness, and evenness
increase as altitude increases, while population density decreases as altitude increases. The east and south aspects
harbor higher number of species that have low species evenness. This study indicates that natural forest
ecosystems have higher diversity indices than man-made ecosystems such as farm and residential areas. Some
endemic bamboo species were found to be restricted to certain altitudinal range and habitats while some were
commonly distributed. The 53.33 to 66.67% index of similarity between the study sites reflects the presence of
both endemic and introduced bamboo species. The forest and farm habitats with rich in bamboo plants should be
conserved as green cover and carbon sinks to mitigate the threats of climate change.
Keywords: diversity indices, population density, natural forest ecosystem, endemism.

I. INTRODUCTION

Bamboo is an amazing alternative that meets our ecological, cultural, economic and social needs. Besides, bamboo has the
potential to preserve the forests, and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity (http://blog.agriculture.ph/bamboo-in-
the-philippines.html).
It is estimated that there are about 1,200 species scattered in about 18 million hectares in different ecosystems in the
continents of Asia, Africa and America (Ohrnberger, 1999). Rojo (1999) reported that there are 62 bamboo species
growing in the Philippines, only 21 species are endemic or native Philippine bamboos. The rest are introduced species.
The Philippines Recommends for Bamboo Production (2006) added that the following bamboos species are found in the
Philippines. These common genera are Arundinaria, Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Gigantochloa, Guadua, Schizostachyum,
Thyrsostachys, Phyllostachys, Cephalostachyum, and Dinochloa.
Locsin(2000) added that bamboo grows almost everywhere in tropical countries like the Philippines, particularly in places
close to water such as on riverbanks and by streams. Because it is so easily found and so easily replaced, it is treated with
an almost casual disregard and valued only lightly. It is indeed a relatively cheap raw material.
In most parts of tropical countries, rural poor depend completely on bamboo; almost one billion rural people live in
bamboo houses. This is so because bamboo can be easily be grown and harvested. It can be found in varied climates, from
the cold mountainous regions to the hot tropical areas (http://www2.bioversityinternational.org/ publications/Web_
version/572/ch30.htm).

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The varied topography and climatic conditions of the Cordillera region are suitable for bamboo growth. Bamboos can be
found at the low lying warm areas up to the coldest highest peak of Mount Pulag (Merill and Merrit, 1910).
Likewise, Tangan (1991) reported that bamboo species suited to the Cordillera varied altitudes and temperature were
Dendrocalamus asper, (giant bamboo) Bambusa oldhamii (Oldham bamboo), Dendrcalamus sp (bayog), Schizostachyum
lumampao (buho), Schizostachyum lima (anos), Bambusa blumeana ( kawayan-tinik), Bambusa vulgaris (kawayan-kiling)
and Phyllostachys aurea (Hotei-chiku).
Biodiversity information is needed to support conservation policies and management objectives of biological resources
especially in natural tropical forest areas. This is considered in three levels; ecosystem, species and genetic diversity.
Species diversity is essential in planning for conservation and sustainable management of individual species as well as an
indicator of ecosystem status. Identification and description of species provide understanding on its role in the ecosystem
and its benefits to mankind. Further, identification of species rich areas is helpful in determining priority areas for
preservation and loss of species richness in an area indicates a need for conservation measures (Banwa, 2007). Besides,
ecosystem based study for biodiversity conservation is one of the priority research areas of National Higher Education
Research Agenda -2 of the Commission on Higher Education for the year 2009-2018. To address such needs, this study
was conducted. It determined the biodiversity of bamboo in Lubuagan, province of Kalinga where different bamboos
species are found.

II. METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted in Lubuagan, Kalinga of Northern Philippiens from November 2011 to May 2012. The site is
composed of nine barangays with a total land area of 234.20 km2 (90.4 sq mi). These clustered barangays include Dangoy,
Mabilong, Mabongtot, Poblacion, Tanglag, Lower Uma, Upper Uma, Antonio Canao and Uma del Norte. Based on
actual GPS (76CSX Garmin) receiver readings, these sites were located within the altitudinal range of 370 to 1246 meters
above sea level (masl) with coordinates 170 22 02.0 N, 1210 12 32.4 E /170 21 03.6 N,1210 09 40.5 E.

Figure 1. Locale of the study. Map of the Philippines showing the Cordillera Administrative Region (a), map of Kalinga
Province showing the municipality of Lubuagan (b), a photographic view of the Lubuagan town proper (c)

The randomized complete block design (RCBD) with sub-block sampling was adopted in this study. The study site was
divided first into 3 blocks based on the clustering of barangays located in different sites and altitudes. Site 1 (370-509
masl) was assigned as block I, Site 2 (760-1,100 masl) as block II and Site 3 (902-1,246 masl) as block III. Each
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block/site was further subdivided into sub-blocks based on the type of habitats; forest, farm and residential areas.
Sampling plots were established in each sub-block based on aspects; east, west, north, and south (see Figure 3). Asari, N
and M. N.Suratman (2011) found that in Malaysia, the elevation, slope gradient, and slope aspect have impact on the
vegetation growth of bamboo.
The 3 habitats (forest, farm and residential areas) were identified in the 3 blocks/sites. The 4 aspects (east west, north, and
south) in each habitat were located using a compass. Bamboo stands or patches in each aspect were delineated and
measured as sampling plot. At total of 12 sampling plots were established in each block. Biodiversity data and altitude
were gathered in each sampling plot.
Through the help of” imong” owners, local guides from the community who are familiar with the area, the bamboos were
identified, counted in each sampling plot. Bamboo species were identified based on standard books, monographs and
available catalogues with the help of experts in the fields.
The altitude of each sampling site was determined using a Global Positioning System receiver (76CSX Garmin).
Determination of population:
Population was determined by counting the total number of individual bamboo species present in each sampling plot.
Population density was computed using the formula;

PD = n/m2
Where: n represents the total number of individual species; m2 will be the land area of
each sampling plot.

The species richness was determined by counting the number of bamboo species in each sampling plot. The species
diversity (H) was computed using the species diversity index equation proposed by Shannon and Wiener;

H = - ∑(pi log pi)

Where; H is the diversity (or heterogeneity) value
pi is the percentage importance for each species.

The Species evenness (J) was computed using the Simpson’s Index:

J= H/log S
Where; J= species evenness, H= Heterogeneity
S=Number of species

The Index of similarity (SI) was computed using the Sorensen`s Index:
SI= 2K X 100
A+B
Where; K= Number of species common to sites A and B
A=number of species for site A and;
B=number of species for site B
Descriptive statistics such as the mean and percentage were used to describe the population of bamboo species. Analysis
of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine significant difference of bamboo population in the study sites, aspects and
habitats. The Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used to compare significant means. The computer software SPSS
version 12 was used to analyze gathered data for interpretation. The Microsoft Excel program was used for the
mathematical and logarithmic aspects of the data.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Species Composition:
Table 1 presents the species composition of bamboos in the three study sites. It shows that of the 10 species identified,
Schizostachyum lumampao has the highest population percentage of 36.50 percent, followed by Bambusa vulgaris 27.32

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percent, Schizostachyum lima 18.86 percent, Dendrocalamus asper with 11.32 percent, Bambusa multiplex (Lour)
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo 2.46 percent, Schizostachyum spp 1.54 percent, Dinochloa luconiae Munro 1.21 percent,
Bambusa vulgaris var. striata 0.39 percent, Bambusa blumeana 0.31 percent, and Dendrocalamus merrilianus has the
lowest population of 0.09 percent. It further shows that Site 1 has the highest population of 50 percent, followed by Site 2
with 28.00 percent while Site 3 has the lowest population of 22.00 percent.
This study confirms similar study that Schizostachyum lumampao has the highest distribution of 64 percent among
bamboo species (http://pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/cin/bamboonet).

TABLE I: Bamboo Species Population Composition in the Study Sites

Bamboo species Sites Total Population
Scientific Names Common name Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Percentage
Schizostachyum lumampao Bulo(Byuyu)* 3264 127 309 3700 36.50
Bambusa vulgaris Native Kawayan** 1307 1003 459 2769 27.32
Schizostachyum lima Anos(Alos)* 178 838 896 1912 18.86
Dendrocalamus asper Giant bamboo** 297 666 185 1148 11.32
Bambusa multiplex Lour. Chinese dwarf bamboo** 0 101 148 249 2.46
Schizostachyum spp. Byila-ay* 0 0 156 156 1.54
Dinochloa luconiae Munro Bikal(Byike)* 0 61 62 123 1.21
Bambusa vulgaris var. striata Golden bamboo** 0 40 0 40 0.39
Bambusa blumeana Kawayang Tinik(Puyutan)** 31 0 0 31 0.31
Dendrocalamus merrilianus Bayog** 0 9 0 9 0.09
Total population 5077 2845 215 10137
Total percentage 50.0 28.0 22.0 100.00
*Indigenous species **Introduced species
Population Density of Bamboo Species:
Table 2 shows the density of bamboo species. It indicates that the smallest dwarf bamboo Bambusa multiplex (Lour) has
the highest population density of 2.20 culm per square meter, followed by Schizostachyum spp with 2.00, Schizostachyum
lumampao 1.3 Schizostachyum lima 0.98, Bambusa vulgaris with 0.6, Dendrocalamus asper with 0.46, Bambusa vulgaris
var. striata 0.38, Dinochloa luconiae Munro 0.27, Bambusa blumeana 0.20 and Dendrocalamus merrilianus has the least
population density of 0.12
It is expected that dwarf bamboo species have more dense population than bigger bamboo plants. Nevertheless, this
results show similarities to the findings of N. Asari and M.N. Suratma (2011) who found in their study in Malaysia that
related species, Schizostachyum brachycladum, S. grande, S. latifolium were the most dominant and have the highest
relative density.
TABLE 2. Population Density of Bamboo Species in the Study Sites

Bamboo species Population Area Population

(culm) (m2) Density
Bambusa multiplex (Lour) 249 112.00 2.22
Schizostachyum spp. 156 78.00 2.00
Schizostachyum lumampao 3700 2944.00 1.30
Schizostachyum lima 1912 195.00 0.98
Bambusa vulgaris 2769 4625.00 0.60
Dendrocalamus asper 1148 246.80 0.46
Bambusa vulgaris var. striata 40 104.00 0.38
Dinochloa luconiae Munro 123 45.00 0.27
Dendrocalamus merrilianus 9 45.00 0.20
Bambusa blumeana 31 268.00 0.12
Total 10137 8662.80

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Diversity Indices of Bamboo Species in the Study Sites:

Table 3 shows the species richness, heterogeneity and evenness of study sites. The low elevation has the least number of 5
species followed by the medium elevation with 7 species and the high elevation with highest number of 8 species.
In terms of species diversity (H), the low elevation still shows the lowest index of 0.41172, followed by the medium
elevation with 0.64508 and the high elevation has the highest index of 0.71318.
Likewise, the low elevation shows the lowest computed species evenness of 0.58904, followed by the middle elevation
with 0.7143 and the high elevation has the highest index of 0.8439.
This result shows that the medium and high elevation harbor diverse bamboo species than the low elevation. This high
number of species, species heterogeneity and evenness could be attributed to the presence of indigenous species such as
Dinochloa luconiae, Munro, Schizostachyum sp and Schizostachyum lumampao in the mediumeevation and in the high
elevation. Geographically, the low elevation is located along the Chico River bounded by a mountain in the eastern side,
while the medium elevation and the high elevation are located in the western aspect. In this case, the medium and high
elevation tends to have more sunlight exposure than the low elevation. This may contribute to the lower number of
bamboo species in the low elevation, since bamboo plants prefer open and sun exposed areas.
This study determine thee species richness, diversity and evenness of different habitats. It shows that the farming areas
have the lowest number of 5 species, species diversity of 0.49249 but have the highest species evenness. Both the forest
and the residential areas have the same number of 8 species each. However, the forested habitats have the highest species
diversity of 0.61944 followed by the residential areas with 0.59987. Moreover, the forest habitats have a higher species
evenness of 0.68591compared to the residential sites with 0.66424.
The diversity of the different aspects is shown in Table 3. The west and north aspects have 6 species while the East and
South have a higher number of 10 species. This implies that the sun exposed east and south harbor higher number of
bamboo species than the west and north aspects. Southern part shows the least index of 0.6685025 followed by the west
with 0.6717055, and East and North with the highest index of 0.6856073.
Likewise the south shows the lowest species evenness of 0.668502, followed by the east with 0.685607, west with
0.863207, and north with the highest species evenness of 0.881072.
This result shows that the east and the south aspects are more diverse in species as indicated by highest number of species
present and their low species evenness. This can be attributed to the longer sun exposure of the east and south aspects
during daytime
TABLE: 3. Species richness, heterogeneity and evenness of bamboos species in the study Sites
Parameters Diversity indices
Species Richness Heterogeneity (H) Evenness (J)
Elevation
Low (370-509 masl) 5 0.41172 0.58904
Medium (760-1,100 masl) 8 0.64508 0.7143
High (902-1,246 masl) 7 0.71318 0.8439
Habitats
Farms 5 0.49249 0.70459
Forests 8 0.61944 0.68591
Residential areas 8 0.59987 0.66424
Aspects
East 10 0.6856073 0.685607
West 6 0.6717055 0.863207
North 6 0.6856073 0.881072
South 10 0.6685024 0.668502
One objective of this study is to determine the bamboo population in the sites as shown in Table 4. The low elevation has
significantly higher mean population of 80. 5873 compared to means of 48.2203 and 47.1277 of the medium and higher
elevations respectively.
This result shows that there are more bamboo populations at the low elevation compared to the medium and high
elevation. Altitudinal gradients probably explain this significant difference. GPS reading revealed that the low elevation
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(370-509 masl) is 251m lower than the medium elevation (760-1,100 masl). It must be noted that the medium and High
Eevation overlapped about 198 masl, though the high elevation (902-1,246 masl) extended about 143 meters higher than
yhe medium elevation. Altitude and temperature are two related factors which affect the growth and distribution of
bamboos. It was found in the ecological modelling of arrow bamboo study of Gao (2012) that temperature decreased at a
rate of about 1 °C per 200 m altitude. This means that the low elevation has warmer temperature that favors the vegetative
growth of bamboos thus increasing its population.
Table 4 presents the difference in bamboo species population mean in the different habitats. Multiple comparison of the
means (LSD) shows that the farming areas has mean population of 45.7577 that is not significantly different to the
residential areas but significantly lower when compared to the forested area with a highest mean of 82.7692.
This finding implies that forested areas are thickly populated than the farming and the residential areas.
Table: 4. Mean Population of Bamboo Species at the Study Sites

Parameters Mean Population F ratio

Elevation

Low (370-509 masl) 80.5873A 4.154*

Medium(760-1,100 masl) 48.2203B
High (902-1,246 masl) 47.1277B
Habitats

Farms 45.7377A 5.416**

Residential areas 45.7442A
Forested areas 82.7692B
Aspects

East 59.5660 0.786ns

West 75.0263
North 54.1750
South 51.6316
Note: Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different (LSD)
**=significantly different at .01
*= significantly different at 0.05
ns=not significant
In terms of aspects, Table 4 reflects no significant difference of population means. This shows that bamboo population
does not significantly differ regardless of aspects. This implies that the different aspects of the observed area do not
influence directly the diversification of bamboo species. This reveals the similar environmental conditions of the place.
Comparing the different elevations, the high and low elevations have the highest similarity index of 66.67 percent
followed by medium and low elevations with 61.53 percent. The high and medium elevations have the lowest index of
53.33 (see Table 5)
This results show that the low elevation and high elevation have common species. Four of the 5 species found in the low
elevation were found also in the high elevation namely; Schizostachyum lumampao , Bambusa vulgaris, Schizostachyum
lima and Dendrocalamus asper. There are 3 bamboo species found in high elevation which is not present in low elevation.
These are 2 indigenous species Byila-ay and Bikal and 1 introduced species Chinese Dwarf Bamboo. It is interesting to
note that of the 4 native bamboo species Byila-ay and Bikal are present in the medium and higher altitudes. It appears
that these species are restricted by altitude. Banwa (2011) observed that some plant species were only present in the
highest fringes of the Central Cordillera mossy forests.

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The lower index of 53.33 percent between the medium and high elevation can be attributed to the presence of bamboo
species in high elevation which is the most urbanized site in the area where local government offices are presently located.
Besides, the site was once the capital town of the Old Mountain Province until it was subdivided into different provinces
composing the present Cordillera Administrative Region.
Table: 5. Similarity Index of Bamboo species of the Different Study Sites

Sampling Sites Site 1 Site 2

Site 2 61.53
Site 3 66.67 53.33

IV. CONCLUSION
This study shows that Lubuagan harbors ten (10) bamboo species belonging to four (4) genera of bamboo plants with six
(6) introduced species, and four (4) indigenous species, one (1) of which is unknown species that belongs to genus
Schizostachyum. Results show that bamboo species diversity, richness, and evenness increase as altitude increases.
Meanwhile bamboo population density decreases as altitude increases. Findings of this study reveal that type of habitats
affects the biodiversity of bamboo. It shows that natural forest ecosystems are rich in indigenous endemic species and has
higher species diversity and population than man-made ecosystems such as farm and residential areas. The east and the
south aspects that are exposed longer to sunlight harbor all the ten (10) bamboo species with correspondingly low species
evenness. The three (3) study sites have index of similarities that range from 53.33 to 66.67% that indicate the presence
of unique indigenous and introduced bamboo species in each site. Results indicate that some bamboo species are
restricted to certain habitats and altitudinal range reflecting the unique distribution of common and endemic plant such as
bamboo species. Likewise, this study shows that two (2) indigenous (Schizostachyum lumampao and S. lima) and
introduced species (Dendrocalamus asper and Bambusa vulgaris) can adapt to various habitats and altitudinal range.

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