Common Macroscopic Fungi and Mosses of North Central Mindanao

Macroscopic fungi and mosses are organisms thriving mostly in the forest ecosystem. A study of these groups of fungi and mosses was conducted at the different protected areas and forest reserves in North Central Mindanao from August 2016 to October 2018. The collection and photo-documentation of these organisms were done to determine and account the existing species in the different ecosystems in the area. The Transect Line (TL) Method was used, established from the different areas of North Central Mindanao with 10m x 50m quadrat sampling and with an interval of 50 meters between quadrats. The fungal and moss species within the quadrats along the TLs were identified and recorded. Field sampling of fungi resulted in the identification of 76 families, 122 genera, and 185 species. For mosses, the study revealed 174 species, 97 genera, and 39 families. The discovery of some species previously known only in the other regions of the Philippines and the possible new species implies that the protected areas and watershed, and perhaps other areas not covered by initial surveys, might generate additional species record. Hence, it deserves continuous research to gain more information on Philippine biodiversity, which will serve as a baseline information for conservation efforts

Keywords: macrofungi, mosses, field survey, new records, North Central Mindanao