Biosaintifika 14 (3) (2022): 308-320 p-ISSN 2085-191X | e-ISSN 2338-7610 Journal of Biology & Biology Education https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/biosaintifika 308 Floral Distribution and Diversity of Alien and Native Plants in Cebu Memorial Park, Cebu City, Philippines Jake Joshua C. Garces 1* , Zynn Niña J. Bayron 1 , Jenny Marie J. Español 1 , Angelique Connie R. Marfa 1 , and Jay P. Picardal 1,2 1 Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, Cebu Normal University, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines 2 Research Institute for Tropical Biology and Pharmacological Biotechnology, Cebu Normal University, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines *Corresponding Author: garcesjj@cnu.edu.ph Submitted: 2022-06-09. Revised: 2022-08-10. Accepted: 2022-10-31 Abstract. Metro Cebu, Philippines has a history of over 800 years of urbanization, making it a unique location for urban ecological studies. Urbanization can have a significant impact on floral communities, but the species composition and variety of urban cemeteries in Metro Cebu have not been reported. We calculated floral species richness (N), abundance (n), evenness (PE), and diversity (H' and D) by conducting the first floral survey (local plants and alien plants) in an urban cemetery in Metro Cebu. Subsequently, we evaluated the distribution pattern of floral species and the relationships between the richness of floral species and human activities. A total of 61 floral species (n=1,515) were recorded, with the proportion of APs (n=53; 86.88%) being much larger than the number of NPS (n=8; 13.11%). Shannon-Wiener Diversity index was calculated to be 2.69, Simpson's Diversity index was 0.16, and Pielou's Evenness was 0.65. Our research provides the first information on floral species in Metro Cebu, Philippines, and serves as a baseline for future studies and conservation efforts. Key words: alien plants, anthropogenic activities, ecosystem services, native plants, urban cemetery How to Cite: Garces, J. J. C., Bayron, Z. N. J., Español, J. M. J., Marfa, A. C. R., Picardal, J. P. (2022). Floral Distribution and Diversity of Alien and Native Plants in Cebu Memorial Park, Cebu City, Philippines. Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education, 14 (3): 308-320. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.15294/biosaintifika.v14i3.38860 INTRODUCTION The Philippines is a megadiverse state, but it has been losing biodiversity fast since the 1990s due to socioeconomic growth and urbanization (Muzafar et al., 2018; Hashim et al., 2018; Hakkila et al., 2020). In recent years, urban land coverage in the Philippines has increased, and this trend is anticipated to continue (Altay et al., 2020). The Philippine government has acknowledged the importance of urban green spaces (UGSs), such as urban cemeteries, to the conservation of biodiversity considering the continuous urbanization of the country (Wu, 2014; Zhou et al., 2014; Quinton et al., 2020). Urban cemeteries are regarded as one of the most significant UGSs in urban ecosystems that are negatively affected by anthropogenic disturbances and consequently result in substantial CO2 accumulation and pollutant production (Bhaskar, 2012). These UGSs also provide numerous ecosystem services, or "nature's benefits," such as provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. To protect and conserve the biodiversity in urban areas, the "required city developers to design biodiversity plans in urban cemeteries; use native plant species in cemeteries; and conserve natural landscapes, vegetation, water systems, and wetlands as part of urban planning" (Whittinghjill & Rowe, 2011; Gomez-Baggethun et al., 2013; Value of Nature, 2017; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment [MEA], 2020). In addition to enhancing biodiversity in urban cemeteries, NPs and APs also provide a variety of ecosystem benefits to humans (Quinton & Duinker, 2019). Urban cemeteries are excellent instances of UGSs, particularly in densely populated cities (Hakkila et al., 2020). It serves as a vast repository of biotic diversity with numerous plant and animal species, as well as a habitat for local, exotic, and a few rare species (Yilmaz et al., 2017; Quinton & Duinker, 2019). In addition, urban cemeteries are regarded as a significant refuge for animals and plants, making them an ideal location for the protection of urban