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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2026, 16(2): 41-63
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Article

A walk in the woods: Macrofungal diversity and distribution across vegetation along Mt. Hamiguitan Trail, San Isidro, Davao Oriental, Philippines

Shenny Claire C. Ormo, Yves Paul M. Montero
1Natural Sciences Department, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Southeastern Philippines, Bo. Obrero 8000 Davao City, Philippines
2Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, Musuan 8710, Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines

Received 19 January 2026;Accepted 20 February 2026;Published online 5 March 2026;Published 1 June 2026
IAEES

Abstract
Macrofungi are key ecological decomposers and essential indicators of ecosystem health in forests. This group of organisms remains poorly studied in the Philippines, especially in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary. This study recorded the abundance and distribution of macrofungi along the hiking trail in three vegetation types: dipterocarp forest, montane forest, and mossy-pygmy forest. A total of 18 (50-m x 10-m) belt transects were set up along the trail and sampled on two observations in November 2018 and January 2019. A total of 733 macrofungal individuals were reported, representing 46 genera and 22 families. Polyporaceae was the most dominant family in both sampling periods. The montane forest had the greatest macrofungal diversity, with a Shannon diversity index of 2.7 to 2.2. The most abundant species in the first sampling was Marasmius pellucidus, and the second sampling was dominated by Favolus sp. The most frequent species of both sampling periods was Microporus xanthopus. Overall, the findings indicate that macrofungal communities in Mount Hamiguitan exhibit moderate diversity, with a remarkable variation across vegetation types and sampling periods. This paper will give the first comprehensive baseline data on the macrofungal diversity in the sanctuary. Additionally, it highlights the need for further studies to elucidate the species composition and ecological patterns of Philippine tropical forests.

Keywords Basidiomycota;elevational gradient;vegetation types;mushrooms;polyporaceae..


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