Fern and fern allies as non-timber forest product in Baler, Aurora, Philippines
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Abstract
Ferns are group of vascular plants with fibrous roots and green leaves which belongs to Phylum Pteridophyta. They are well known to thrive in moist and shady forests. Due to the topographic configuration, abundant forest resources and the tremendous amount of rainfall it receives, the province of Aurora, Philippines provides a large number of different varieties of ferns. Aside from maintaining the biodiversity, ferns are commonly used as a source of medicine, food, ornamentals, as sources of fiber, bioremediation, and as organic material. It is therefore of utmost importance to conduct inventory studies regarding the different fern species thriving in the province as well as determine their local utilization to create a baseline data for future studies. The study revealed a total of thirty (32) pteridophytes, belonging to sixteen (16) families and twenty-two (22) genera. Local names were provided by the locals but were not used for the identification. Athyriaceae and Nephrolepidaceae recorded the highest number of species with four (4) representatives each, followed by Lygodiaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Pteridaceae with three (3) representatives each. Collected fern and fern allies were mainly used as food and sold in the market, medicine, needed materials in making handicrafts and used for their aesthetic value. The result of the study showed that the province of Baler, Aurora, Philippines hosts a variety of fern species and also has reflected the diverse culture of people in the utilization of pteridophytes in the province. The research finding would become a basis for a more in-depth study about ferns since they are not well studied in our country in terms of their, medicinal, pharmaceutical and nutritional value
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