Identifying potential protected areas in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Luzon Island, Philippines
2003
Duya, M. (Conservation International, 5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City (Philippines)) Ong, P.S. | Alviola, P. | Antolin, A.
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range (SMMR) in Luzon Island is where the largest contiguous and pristine forest in the Philippines is found. In terms of vertebrate diversity, it is the most speciose as well: 40% (457) of the known wildlife in the country and 70% of the species recorded in the Luzon biogeographic region are found in this moutain range. The number of endemic species is also exceptional with 156 species reported in the area, representing 63% and 28% of the known endemics in Luzon Island and the Philippines, respectively. Although several surveys had been conducted in the region, the number of species recorded is still far from complete as exemplified by the description of six new taxa discovered only during the last five years. In the midst of the diversity, at least 33 species are threatened with extinction. The interplay of several factors such as mining applications, extensive land conversions for commercial agriculture, increasing human population, and conflicting government policies exerts an enormous pressure on the biodiversity of the SMMR. Recent field surveys in some forested localities in between protected areas (PAs) reveal the presence of several globally threatened species. These areas are Mt. Cagua Complex, Mt. Cetaceo Complex, Central Sierra Madre, Southern Aurora, and Southern Sierra Madre and should be declared as PAs. This paper presents the current information on the wildlife assemblage of the SMMR and identifies potential areas for inclusion as additional components of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) by virtue of their significant wildlife diversity, ecological services, and political and social acceptability. In so doing, this paper points to the need to view SMMR vis-a-vis protected area management not in isolation but as an ecosystem that should be integrated
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