Southern Samar mountains (9775)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Southern Samar mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.3667, Longitude: 125.3333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 731
Area of KBA (km2): 483.45048
Protected area coverage (%): 88.88
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Bulosao Watershed Forest Reserve is adjacent to the MacArthur Mountains, and straddles the boundary of Samar and Eastern Samar Provinces. The highest peak in the IBA is Mt Honop at 731 m. The northern and western boundaries of the IBA approximately follow the Sulat River. Closed canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.2,624 ha (65%) of the watershed, open canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.952 ha (24%), cultivated areas with brush cover c.208 ha (5%), coconut plantations cover c.171 ha (4%) and contract reforestation plots (planted with exotic tree species) cover c.100 ha (2%). There are a few small settlements present in the area, and the small patches of agricultural land and kaingin are planted with coconut, banana and fruit trees.
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)
Additional biodiversity: The avifauna of the Bulosao River Watershed Forest Reserve is virtually unknown, but it is likely to be similar to those of the other IBAs on Samar, the Mt Cabalantian-Mt Capotoan complex (PH073) and the Mt Yacgun-Mt Sohoton complex (PH074). The extensive forests in this IBA therefore probably support important populations of several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area.
Delineation rationale: 02/2008: following IBA/KBA crosswalk, three 2001 IBAs -- Mount Cabalantian - Mount Capoto-an complex (SitRecID 9773), Southern Samar mountains (SitRecID 9775) and Mount Yacgun - Mount Sohoton complex (SitRecID 9774) -- have been merged to form the 2006 KBA Samar Island Natural Park (SitRecID 23307).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The Bulosao Watershed Forest Reserve is adjacent to the MacArthur Mountains, and straddles the boundary of Samar and Eastern Samar Provinces. The highest peak in the IBA is Mt Honop at 731 m. The northern and western boundaries of the IBA approximately follow the Sulat River. Closed canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.2,624 ha (65%) of the watershed, open canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.952 ha (24%), cultivated areas with brush cover c.208 ha (5%), coconut plantations cover c.171 ha (4%) and contract reforestation plots (planted with exotic tree species) cover c.100 ha (2%). There are a few small settlements present in the area, and the small patches of agricultural land and kaingin are planted with coconut, banana and fruit trees.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Major threats to the Bulosao River Watershed include selective extraction of timber and illegal logging, settlement in the area and the associated problems of agricultural expansion and kaingin. Wildlife hunting also takes place there. Reforestation in the watershed has unfortunately mainly involved the planting of exotic tree species, which are of little value to the native wildlife. Future or proposed plans for the area include the Bulosao mini-hydroelectric power plant and a restoration plan for the Bulosao River Watershed.