Identifying plants for priority conservation in Samar Island Natural Park forests (the Philippines) over limestone using a localized conservation priority index

The escalating degradation of ecosystems and the consequent reduction in critical services essential for human communities are global concerns. This study aimed to identify top-priority plants for conservation using a localized conservation priority index (LCPI), customized for the locality. The LCPI, a point scoring method, ranked 50 evaluated species based on criteria such as harvesting risk, economic and cultural use, species distribution, and frequency value. Thirteen species were classified as high priority, requiring stringent harvesting regulations, while the remaining 37 were designated at a medium priority level, allowing specific quotas for harvesting. Notably, all 13 high-priority species exhibited higher harvesting risks. These include Caryota rumphiana Mart., Aquilaria cumingiana (Decne.) Ridl., Cycas riuminiana Regel, Dracaena angustifolia (Medik.) Roxb., Oncosperma tigillarium (Jack) Ridl., Oreocnide rubescens (Blume) Miq., Kleinhovia hospita L., Diospyros blancoi A.DC., Codiaeum sp., Gymnostoma rumphianum (Miq.) L.A.S.Johnson, Caryota cumingii Lodd. ex Mart., Artocarpus rubrovenius Warb., and Palaquium sp. Local communities engage in harvesting all parts of certain plant species. Following the identification of priority plants, geotagging was employed to enhance targeted in situ conservation efforts, providing valuable guidance for local leaders in initiating localized conservation of threatened biodiversity.