US Botanist Continues Flora Survey with Bukidnon State University

James R. Shevock, a botany research associate and fellow from the California Academy of Sciences, has returned to Bukidnon State University (BukSU) to resume his biodiversity expedition in Mindanao.

The project, which began July 1, 2025, continues a long-standing partnership between the US institution and BukSU focused on documenting Mindanao’s plant species.

Shevock has conducted multiple botanical expeditions in Mindanao. He noted the cooler temperatures in high-elevation areas such as Mt. Kalatungan, which resemble the climate in his home region. Unlike previous expeditions, this year’s team is smaller, which he said allows for more flexible and targeted fieldwork.

The ongoing collaboration serves dual purposes. BukSU students participate directly in the field, collecting and preparing specimens for academic use. The specimens gathered will be stored in the BukSU herbarium, where they will support future scientific and educational activities.

At the same time, Shevock and the California Academy of Sciences aim to expand the scientific record of Mindanao’s native flora. The expedition focuses on surveying habitats that have not yet been extensively explored, particularly mountainous areas.

“There’s so many mountains in Mindanao but we have not a single specimen,” Shevock said. He described the prospect of identifying species not previously recorded in Mindanao, the Philippines, or science in general as a central objective of the research.

The team is currently working in a section of Mt. Kalatungan not previously included in earlier expeditions. Shevock said this would support comparative analysis with data collected in past years.

During his stay, Shevock held meetings with BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol and visited the BukSU-Botanical Gardens and Herbarium, which is under the direction of Dr. Lesley C. Lubos. He also consulted with the university’s International Affairs and Linkages Unit. These interactions reinforce BukSU’s commitment to fostering international research partnerships and advancing scientific understanding of the region’s unique biodiversity. (Charles Lawrence D. Saballa, BukSU IU intern)