Malpalon (9743)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Malpalon
Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.7000, Longitude: 120.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 894
Area of KBA (km2): 140.8827
Protected area coverage (%): 48.41
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA includes a group of forest remnants on a limestone ridge adjacent to Iglit-Baco National Park, a few kilometres to the south of Siburan (PH042). The ridge peaks at just below 1,000 m, and is forested for several kilometres. Clearance has been very recent here, such that many big trees and residual patches of forest exist in the lowlands, especially along field edges and watercourses. Continuous forest is now only found on the sides of steep, narrow ridges. Here the forest was on very irregular broken ground, creating heterogeneous forest types with many areas of scrubby thickets and few tracts of tall shady forest.
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: All of the endemic lowland forest species of the Mindoro Endemic Bird Area have recently been recorded at Malpalon, although Mindoro Bleeding-heart is known from there only by unconfirmed reports. It is therefore of considerable conservation importance, despite the limited amount of undisturbed forest that remains there. Non-bird biodiversity: A species of wild pig occurs at Malpalon, and Tamaraw Bubalus mindorensis was present there in the past and still occurs nearby.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This IBA includes a group of forest remnants on a limestone ridge adjacent to Iglit-Baco National Park, a few kilometres to the south of Siburan (PH042). The ridge peaks at just below 1,000 m, and is forested for several kilometres. Clearance has been very recent here, such that many big trees and residual patches of forest exist in the lowlands, especially along field edges and watercourses. Continuous forest is now only found on the sides of steep, narrow ridges. Here the forest was on very irregular broken ground, creating heterogeneous forest types with many areas of scrubby thickets and few tracts of tall shady forest.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There has been extensive clearance of forest for kaingin at Malpalon. Forest fires, spreading from areas of secondary growth and cogon (grassland), can be a serious risk in the dry season. Collection of firewood, rattan and bamboo was probably increasing with the population. Hunting is claimed locally not to be serious, but snare traps for terrestrial animals are common, and spear traps for pigs are so numerous that it can be unsafe to leave any path in the area.
Additional information
References: Dutson et al. (1992); Evans et al. (1993a).