Mount Mantalingahan (9754)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Mount Mantalingahan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.9282, Longitude: 117.7453
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 1449.15577
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mount Mantalingajan is in southern Palawan, and at 2,086 m is the highest mountain on the island. The Mantalingajan range includes an estimated 70,000 ha of montane mossy rainforest, with stunted forest on the exposed tops. There is lowland rainforest to the north-west of the mountains on the coastal plain, such as around the Ilog-Ilog river. To the south-east of the mountains, the forest has been cleared up to 800 m on the slopes, although some slope forest remains on the top of the flanking coastal ridge from about 400 m upwards. The transition from lowland to montane forest occurs at approximately 1,000 m. The forest becomes progressively stunted with the Mantalingajan peak appearing particularly so, and there are large areas of slope scoured by land-slides, with conifer regrowth occurring. The south-eastern slopes of the mountains have been cleared for kaingin up to 800 m in places, and the level lowlands on this side of the mountains are almost entirely deforested. The areas logged on Palawan are relatively recent, and the majority of the forest within the closed canopy line is primary. Small-scale timber extraction and well-organised logging operations are hastening the depletion of the forest cover on the island.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of Alcalus mariae and 16 species of birds meet B2. Additionally, three amphibians, two birds, one mammal, 10 plants, and one reptile meet legacy KBA criteria and are in need of reassessment.
Manageability of the site: This site was identified as a KBA in 2001 by BirdLife partners. The entire site is covered by protected areas.
Delineation rationale: This site was identified as a KBA in 2001 by BirdLife partners: Mount Mantalingahan - SitrecID: 9754.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 67 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |