Mounts Irid-Angilo and Binuang (9720)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Mounts Irid-Angilo and Binuang
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.8500, Longitude: 121.3667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1448
Area of KBA (km2): 1705.72045
Protected area coverage (%): 53.53
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mt Irid and Mt Angilo are located on the boundaries between the provinces of Bulacan, Quezon and Rizal, about 40 km to the north-east of Metro Manila, in the southern Sierra Madre mountains. Despite the close proximity to the city, there are very few roads into these rugged mountains, and they are sparsely populated. An extensive stand of what appeared to be old growth dipterocarp forest was located there (above 400 m) during a recent forest mapping survey (SOURCE?). Mt Irid rises to 1,448 m and Mt Angilo to 1,315 m, so there must be areas of montane forest around their peaks, but there are also likely to be substantial areas of lowland forest on the slopes.
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: This IBA is virtually unknown ornithologically, although there is an old record of Philippine Eagle near its western boundary. The extensive lowland and montane forests which are reported to remain there could prove to be important for the eagle, and to support populations of many of the other threatened and restricted-range birds of the Luzon Endemic Bird Area. The avifauna could prove to be similar to that of nearby Angat Dam (PH019) and the IBAs further north in the Sierra Madre. Non-bird biodiversity: No mammal and herpetofaunal surveys have yet been conducted in this IBA.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Mt Irid and Mt Angilo are located on the boundaries between the provinces of Bulacan, Quezon and Rizal, about 40 km to the north-east of Metro Manila, in the southern Sierra Madre mountains. Despite the close proximity to the city, there are very few roads into these rugged mountains, and they are sparsely populated. An extensive stand of what appeared to be old growth dipterocarp forest was located there (above 400 m) during a recent forest mapping survey (SOURCE?). Mt Irid rises to 1,448 m and Mt Angilo to 1,315 m, so there must be areas of montane forest around their peaks, but there are also likely to be substantial areas of lowland forest on the slopes. There may be potential for educational and recreational use of this area by the people of Manila, although development of any new roads or other infrastructure would need to be carefully planned.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No serious threats to the forests of this IBA were observed during a recent forest mapping survey. However, ground-based surveys are required to confirm the extent and condition of the forests of this IBA, and to collect data on their biodiversity.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |