Introduction relative abundances of the fern D.

linearis
Dicranopteris linearis (N. L. Burm), a
dense, extensively thicket-forming (around
more than 3 meters depth) fern species under
the family Gleicheniaceae, is a common
inhabitant of wet and mesic forest ecosystems
(Russel et al. 1998). According to the paper
published by Russel et al. (1998), this particular
plant organism is an appropriate study
specimen during conduction of species-
ecosystems relationship researches as their
distribution and abundance vary significantly
along well-defined environmental gradients
such as elevation and moisture regimes and
they significantly contribute to the process of
nutrient cycling of the environment to which
they are present. However, despite of their
wide distribution across wet tropical
ecosystems and their capacity to tolerate poorly
drained and oligotrophic soils, they are
intolerant to the conditions of drought, shade
and frost (Russel et al., 1998).
across altitudinal gradients and environmental
structures within the Yellow trail, Camp John
Hay, Baguio City, Province of Benguet, Northern
Luzon, Philippines.
References
Banaticla, M.C.N. and Buot, I.E. (2004). Fern
Patch Structure and Species Diversity
Along the Altitudinal Gradient of Mt.
Banahaw De Lucban, Luzon Island,
Philippines. The Philippine Agricultural
Scientist. 87(1): 49-60.
Russel, A.E., Raich, J.W., and Vitousek, P.M.
(1998). The Ecology of the Climbing
Fern Dicranopteris linearis On
Windward Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Journal
of Ecology. 765-779.

In the Philippines, studies regarding

pteridophyte biology and ecology are scarce
and lacking (Banaticla and Buot, 2004).
According to the paper published by Banaticla
and Buot in 2004 which deals with the fern
patch structures and species diversity along the
altitudinal gradients of Mt. Banahaw de Lucban,
the following authors, with their respective
study sites, were among the very few research
studies made on the Philippine pteridophyte
flora: Mt. Makiling (Price, 1975); Mt. Santo
Tomas, Benguet (Tolentino, 1988); Mt.
Pangasugan, Leyte (Belonias and Banoc, 1994);
Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Apulang, and Marilog forest
(Amoroso et al., 1996).

In this present study, the researchers

aim to describe, both quantitatively and
qualitatively, the fern-patch structures and