Caramoan peninsula (9732)
Philippines, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2006

National site name: Caramoan peninsula

Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.8000, Longitude: 123.9167

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 1030

Area of KBA (km²): 188.59979

Protected area coverage (%): 0.64

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Caramoan peninsula is in north-east Camarines Sur Province, opposite the island of Catanduanes (PH033). It is a hilly peninsula, with deep gorges and a rough, rocky terrain. The IBA includes Caramoan National Park area, located near the tip of the peninsula, and some substantial areas of old growth forest in the hills to the west which are shown on recent forest cover maps. The highest peak in the IBA reaches just over 1,000 m, so the forests there are mainly lowland in type. Other habitats present in Caramoan National Park include mangrove forest, sand dunes and beaches and arable land. The natural features of Caramoan National Park, including caves, limestone formations, white sandy beaches, an islet lake and a subterranean river, make it popular with tourists. It is accessible by public transport from the town of Caramoan, and local people have established trails in the park for visitors. Landuses in the park include shifting agriculture and forestry, but the rocky terrain and the consequent difficulty of access have contributed to the preservation of the area.

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 are a few recent records of the threatened and restricted-range birds of the Luzon Endemic Bird Area from the Caramoan peninsula. It is reported to retain large areas of lowland forest, and is therefore likely to support important populations of many more of these birds. Non-bird biodiversity: Lizards endemic to the Philippines were recorded in this IBA, including Northern Keel-scaled Tree Skink Dasia grisea, Two-digit Worm Skink Brachymeles samarensis, Common Burrowing Skink Brachymeles boulengeri, Yellow-striped Slender Tree Skink Lipinia pulchella), Cuming’s Earred Skink Otosaurus cumingi, Jagor’s Sphenomorphus Sphenomorphus jagori and the globally threatened Gray’s Monitor Lizard Varanus olivaceus. The endemic Common Forest Frog Platymantis dorsalis) was also recorded in this IBA in 1998. The Large Luzon Forest Rat Bullimus luzonicus, endemic to Luzon, has been trapped in the IBA. The most recent sighting of Dugong Dugong dugon) was in 1997, in Barangay Panim-An on the northern portion of Caramoan National Park.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The Caramoan peninsula is in north-east Camarines Sur Province, opposite the island of Catanduanes (PH033). It is a hilly peninsula, with deep gorges and a rough, rocky terrain. The IBA includes Caramoan National Park area, located near the tip of the peninsula, and some substantial areas of old growth forest in the hills to the west which are shown on recent forest cover maps. The highest peak in the IBA reaches just over 1,000 m, so the forests there are mainly lowland in type. Other habitats present in Caramoan National Park include mangrove forest, sand dunes and beaches and arable land. The natural features of Caramoan National Park, including caves, limestone formations, white sandy beaches, an islet lake and a subterranean river, make it popular with tourists. It is accessible by public transport from the town of Caramoan, and local people have established trails in the park for visitors. Landuses in the park include shifting agriculture and forestry, but the rocky terrain and the consequent difficulty of access have contributed to the preservation of the area.

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	33
Forest	67

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forest and other habitats in this IBA have been afforded some protection by the rugged terrain, but some selective logging, kaingin agriculture and the cutting of trees for firewood and other domestic use have been reported.

Additional information