A study by Dr. Enrico L. Replan, faculty member of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines Diliman, examined the floristic composition and structural characteristics of riparian vegetation along the downstream section of the Amnay River in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Published in Plant-Environment Interactions, the research provides a site-specific baseline assessment of riparian vegetation in a sediment-influenced tropical river system, addressing a lack of detailed ecological data for the area.

Vegetation surveys documented 125 vascular plant species from 40 families, with riparian assemblages dominated by herbaceous and disturbance-tolerant taxa, particularly grasses and legumes. The study describes how sustained sediment deposition and substrate instability constrain vegetation development, resulting in sparse woody cover, low vertical complexity, and a fragmented spatial arrangement of plant communities. These conditions limit the persistence of mature riparian forest and favor fast-growing species adapted to frequent disturbance.

The paper explains how these vegetation patterns affect riparian condition and management, noting that remnant woody patches occur only where localized bank stability allows longer-term establishment. These patches retain native tree species and function as reference points for monitoring change under continued sediment influence. The study provides baseline data that can support site-specific assessment, future comparative studies, and evaluation of riparian management and restoration measures in sediment-impacted river corridors .

Reference: Replan, E. L. (2026). Floristic Diversity of Riparian and Associated Vegetation Along the Amnay River (The Philippines). Plant-Environment Interactions, 7(1), e70122. https://doi.org/10.1002/pei3.70122