The Forest Ecology, Systematics and Taxonomy Laboratory (ForEST) conducts ecological and taxonomic research on forest floras, primarily focusing on long term dynamics of tree communities. DNA barcoding, permanent plot establishment, phenological surveys, and herbarium curation are concurrently conducted to understand forest resistance and resilience to significant disturbances within a changing environment. Current projects include DNA barcoding of native flora, phenology and seed-seedling dynamics of the Palanan and Mt. Maluyon forest dynamics plot, and biodiversity conservation and monitoring program-forest dynamics plots. Funding agencies include CHED, DENR-BMB, OVCRD, and EDC.