Floral and faunal assessment of Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve in Negros Occidental [Philippines]

Findings revealed that there were 108 species of trees that existed in the study area, majority of which were pioneer species, which signified that the entire area was already highly disturbed and exploited. Despite this, several dipterocarp species such as Almon (Shorea almon), Apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus) and Bagtikan (Parashorea malaanonan), Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis), White Lauan (Shorea contorta) and Tanguile (Shorea polusperma) were still surviving in the area. On the other hand, about 190 associated plants were described as herbs, undergrowth, saplings, and ground cover. It was also revealed that species diversity of the trees was very low. Despite this, it still managed to provide the local community with livelihood. Pandan leaves, for example, the most common forest product extracted by the community are woven into mats and bags. As for the faunal resources, 65 bird species were recorded in the whole watershed, 63 of which were categorized as breeding residents. Among these residents species, two species were migratory namely the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) while two kingfisher species endemic to the Philippines were also found in the forested parts of the study area. These included the Rufous-lored kingfisher (Halcyon winchelli) and Spotted Wood kingfisher (Acenoides lindsayi). The overall bid abundance recorded for the whole study area was 584 where in the most abundant species were the 'Coleto' (Sarcops calvus) and Reddish Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia phasianella). It was observed that species associated with agricultural areas had the highest overall abundance. Conversely, more than half or about 53% were relatively rare species. There were also 20 bird species considered endemic, four of which are globally threatened. These included the Blue-naped Parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis), Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini), Walden's Hornbill (Aceros Waldeni), and White-Winged Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina ostenta). The spotted Wood kingfisher was found to be a threatened species under the vulnerable category. Only 11 species of mammals were noted for the entire area. All the seven large species distributed on the island still existed in the study area. Two of these species, the Warty Pig (Sus cebiferons) and Philippine spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi) are Western Visayas endemics and are currently regarded by the IUCN as globally endangered. There were five species of fruit bats but only four were captured. The captured included the Haplonycteris fischeri, Cynopterus brachyotis, Macroglossus minimus, which had the highest abundance, and Ptenochirus jagori. Acerodon jubatus (not caught), H. fischeri, and P. jagori were classified as Philippine endemics. The bats were often collected in large numbers and were consumed to supplement the protein needs of the community. Aside from birds and mammals, other terrestrial vertebrates mostly species of herpetofauna were like seen in the area. These included Python reticulates. Dasia smaragdyna, Gecko gecko, Draco volans, and a mountain frog, Platymantis dorsalis. Several butterfly species were also observed in the different forested areas.