Fern (PTEROPHYTA) Species Diversity in Caraga, Davao Oriental: Basis for Instructional Materials (IMs) Development

Abstract ―​

This quantitative-descriptive study focuses on the diversity of fern species in P.M. Sobrecarey, Caraga, Davao Oriental, and the development of instructional materials for high school students. The main goal of this study was to analyze the level of physicochemical parameters of the study site, such as temperature, humidity, altitude, and soil pH fern species, taxonomical classification and characteristics inhabiting the area, species composition, relative abundance, and fern species biodiversity indices. All fern species found in the identified study area were examined, recorded, and identified using quadrant sampling as methodology. Eleven fern species were found in the study area. It consisted of species from the families of Cyatheaceae, Selaginellaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Nephrolepidaceae, Blechnaceae, Athyriaceae, and Dryopteridaceae. Fern species were identified through their frond size, height, stipe, frond color, and frond type. The species with the highest number of individuals, totaling 493, was Nephrolepis biserrata from the family Nephrolepidaceae, with a relative abundance of 22 percent and a cumulative distribution of 62.56 percent. In comparison, Pleocnemia irregularis from the family Dryopteridaceae, with only 39 species obtained, had the lowest relative abundance of 1.73 percent. The research area has an average temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius, low humidity of 73.7 percent, low elevation of 120 asl, and neutral soil pH level of 5.4. Furthermore, it was found that the instructional material in Science 8 that can be developed relative to the species diversity of ferns in Caraga, Davao Oriental, is the self-learning kit.