Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park and proposed extension (9703)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park and proposed extension
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.4500, Longitude: 121.1000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 700 to 2456
Area of KBA (km2): 3614.05656
Protected area coverage (%): 0.40
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The proposed Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park is composed of two mountain ranges with numerous creeks all draining towards the Saltan River, which divides the two ranges. It is characterized by high mountain ranges with steep slopes and rugged, rocky terrain. Mt Sapocoy, which is located on the western boundary of the park overlooking the Ilocos and Cagayan Valleys, is the highest peak at c.2,456 m. The lowest point in the park is at Balbalan in the eastern portion, with an elevation of c.700 m.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified in the CI/CEPF Conservation Outcomes booklet for the Philippines Hotspot (2006). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2004 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: There is very little information available on the birds of the extensive forests that remain in and around this IBA, but they are likely to support many of the threatened and restricted-range birds of the Luzon Endemic Bird Area. The avifauna in the montane forests may prove to be comparable to that of Mt Pulog National Park (PH004) further south in the Cordillera Central. Non-bird biodiversity: Some Luzon-endemic mammals, including the northern Luzon giant cloud rat Phloeomys pallidus, may be found on this IBA. The smooth-fingered narrow-mouthed frog Kaloula baleata kalingenses and the poorly-known endemic Luzon narrow-mouthed frog Kaloula rigida have been recorded there, as have two globally threatened butterflies, Papilio benguetanus and P. chikae, both restricted on the Cordillera mountains.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The proposed Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park is composed of two mountain ranges with numerous creeks all draining towards the Saltan River, which divides the two ranges. It is characterized by high mountain ranges with steep slopes and rugged, rocky terrain. Mt Sapocoy, which is located on the western boundary of the park overlooking the Ilocos and Cagayan Valleys, is the highest peak at c.2,456 m. The lowest point in the park is at Balbalan in the eastern portion, with an elevation of c.700 m. Most of the park is forested, mainly with pine forest and montane forest, including mossy forest, with limited areas of lowland dipterocarp forest. There are some cultivated areas, communal pasture and settlements within the park. The numerous creeks in the park are an important source of water for domestic use by local people and for the irrigation of rice terraces.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 95 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Kalinga-Apayao was found to have had the least reduction of its old growth stands of all of the provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) during recent surveys of forest cover. The forests there are believed to have been protected by their remoteness, and to some extent because the adverse peace and order situation in the province has helped to discourage the establishment of commercial timber harvesting operations.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: REFERENCES: Alcala and Brown (1998); DENR (undated-PASA); IUCN (1996).