Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

05 Feb 2026

Yeasts collected from Mount Makiling can be viable sources of biofuel

In the quest for sustainable energy sources, scientists are increasingly turning to nature for solutions. A recent study published in...

Read More

04 Feb 2026

Philippine regions differ in their pace of rural transformation, from lagging areas to those shifting beyond agriculture and a few with integrated rural–urban economies

This rural transformation study conducted in the Philippines provides a comprehensive understanding of the status and progress of the country’s...

Read More

03 Feb 2026

A simple artificial intelligence method makes it possible to digitally restore severely degraded historical architectural drawings

Historical architectural drawings are important records of our cultural heritage, but many have been damaged or degraded over time. For...

Read More

02 Feb 2026

New tool helps high school educators assess how well students think in an integrated, transdisciplinary way

In today’s world, solving big problems like climate change, global health, and social inequality requires thinking that extends beyond a...

Read More

30 Jan 2026

Burong isda (fermented fish), indigenous to the Philippines, has probiotic potential for digestive and immune health

Fermented foods in the Philippines, such as burong isda (fermented fish), are not only part of our culinary heritage but...

Read More

29 Jan 2026

The strength and structure of three commercially important bamboo species in the Philippines vary greatly by location

Timber shortages in the Philippines have increased demand for alternative materials such as bamboo, which is used as a substitute...

Read More

28 Jan 2026

Researchers develop a model that helps companies make smarter choices in carbon trading

Carbon trading is a mechanism that allows entities to sell or purchase credits which indicate the right to emit carbon...

Read More

27 Jan 2026

Around 1,500 social media influencer accounts were involved in covert or under-the-radar campaigning during the 2022 Philippine presidential elections

This study estimates the number of social media influencers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube, and the amount of money...

Read More

26 Jan 2026

Re-industrializing the domestic production base can greatly strengthen economic diversification in the Philippines

This paper builds on the broad argument that economic diversification can drive industrial upgrading and growth in an emerging economy...

Read More

23 Jan 2026

Most students recognize the relevance of learning competencies in chemistry to sustainable development

Chemistry is deeply interconnected with various aspects of sustainability. However, enabling students to analyze these interconnections requires adequate support in...

Read More

22 Jan 2026

Researchers develop a method for creating maps that show how national cultures have evolved over time

Culture is understood as a shared and negotiated system of meaning that people learn and practice by interpreting their experience...

Read More

21 Jan 2026

Researchers design a potential mRNA vaccine against African swine fever using advanced computer-based methods

African swine fever (ASF) is a deadly disease that has severely impacted pig farming worldwide. In the Philippines, ASFV outbreaks...

Read More

Research

Philippine flora, noted for its high levels of endemism, is increasingly threatened by deforestation, climate change, illegal logging, and infrastructure development. Although initiatives to establish protected areas are in place, biodiversity loss persists, underscoring the need for more effective conservation policies. Beach forests, in particular, remain understudied, with limited available data on species composition and relatively weak conservation efforts in the Philippines.

This study explored the different plant species found in the swampy beach forest of Hijo, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte, Philippines, focusing on native, endemic, and threatened species. Researchers surveyed the forest by setting up plots along 100-meter lines and identifying the plants they found. A total of 239 plant species were recorded, including 117 native and 28 endemic species, belonging to 55 plant families. Among them, nine species were considered threatened. One plant, Saribus rotundifolius, commonly known as the round-leaf fountain palm or anahaw, stood out as the most dominant species, playing a key role in the forest’s ecosystem. However, the study also found that threats like saltwater intrusion and seasonal flooding could harm young plants trying to grow.

To help protect the forest and its unique plant life, researchers developed a conservation plan that includes growing plants in controlled environments (ex situ) and protecting them in their natural habitat (in situ). Stronger emphasis is placed on in situ methods, particularly forest cover restoration, tree planting, and Assisted Natural Regeneration. Ex situ conservation, including bioresource preservation, educational campaigns, and the participation of civil society groups, complements in situ conservation.

Moreover, this research addresses existing data gaps on beach forest flora in the country, serving as a valuable reference for future ecological assessments and conservation initiatives. By identifying and assessing the distribution and conservation status of plant species, it contributes to the prioritization of conservation efforts in biodiversity-rich but vulnerable coastal ecosystems. The findings highlight the importance of both dominant and less dominant native and endemic species that contribute to the complexity and richness of the study area’s biodiversity. Ultimately, the study aids policymakers, conservationists, and local communities in making informed decisions for biodiversity management and coastal ecosystem resilience.

Authors: Aaron Froilan M. Raganas (Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao), Lief Erikson D. Gamalo (Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao), Joselito B. Chavez Jr. (Hijo Resources Corporation) and Aleyla E. De Cadiz (Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao),

Read the full paper: https://smujo.id/biodiv/article/view/19565/8425