Determining the biodiversity trends of specific priority faunal species in Mt. Isarog National Park (MINP) [Philippines]

Mt. Isarog in the Bicol Region is one of the few mountains in the country with great varieties of wildlife species. However, ordinary people and local folks continue to extract forest resources from the protected areas of the mountain. These activities pose threats to the biodiversity in Mt. Isarog. Castroverde et al. (CSSAC) conducted biodiversity trends identification on specific priority faunal species in MINP to specifically consolidate, organize, and analyze existing data on biodiversity population and threat reduction, determine the population distribution trends of key priority faunal species in MINP; come up with management prescriptions to strengthen biodiversity conservation measures; and recommend an effective biodiversity monitoring system for MINP. Findings of the study revealed the following: The population of faunal species in MINP had shown that 'baboy damo' (Sus scrofa), 'bayakan' (Pteropus speciosus), 'unggoy' (Macaca fascicularis) and 'punay' (Gallicolumba luzonica) remained as the dominant species. However, population decline had become evident among the species of 'sawa' (Phyton reticulates), 'sabit' (Spizaetus philippinensis), 'usa' (Cervus marianus) and 'salibad' (Microhierax erythrogynys). No significant difference was obtained in 2002 and 2003 in terms of presence , frequency, and population density of the faunal species. These findings indicated the continuing reduction in the biodiversity population of the faunal species. These also implied that institutional interventions and interagency collaborative efforts on reforestation and wildlife conservation and management of MINP should be further strengthened. Significant differences in the biodiversity population among the barangays [villages] included in the four monitoring periods were observed. This may imply that biodiversity conservation efforts differed or that while some communities had actively and properly implemented reforestation and wildlife protection program, others had not. The management prescriptions recommended for the present state of MINP included active monitoring system coupled with improved data gathering tool and procedures; partnership and collaboration among various agencies and institutions; capability building to strengthen community-based organization (CBOs); aggressive IEC; strict enforcement of policies and laws particularly along visitor management; and selection of key leaders in the communities and partner agencies.