Biliran and Maripipi Island (9776)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Biliran and Maripipi Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.5833, Longitude: 124.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1320
Area of KBA (km2): 127.63762
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Biliran (55,542 ha) lies about three kilometres off the northern tip of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas. Both Biliran and the adjacent small island of Maripipi (3,171 ha) are mountainous, rising to 1,320 and 924 m respectively. About 48% or 26,870 ha of the two islands are classified as timberland, mainly in the central parts of both islands. However, all areas below 500 m have been cleared for agriculture, and it was recently estimated that less than 10% of Biliran and 15-20% of Maripipi remains covered by primary or lightly disturbed forest. This includes lowland forest on the lower slopes of the hills, and montane forest, including mossy forest, around the higher peaks. The Asug Forest Reserve lies 10 km south of Caibiran on Biliran. The elevation there ranges from 300-1,266 m, and forest covers 77.7% of the area. It is a tourist destination, because of the picturesque and clear waters of Tomalistic Falls. Private investors are proposing to build a mineral water bottling plant to tap this water. The forested interior of Biliran is an important watershed.
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: Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded on Biliran, including Samar Hornbill, which is endemic to the Eastern Visayas, and the poorly known Miniature Tit-babbler. The forests there may prove to support important populations of these and other birds of conservation concern. Non-bird biodiversity: A survey in 1987 recorded 30 indigenous species of land mammals on Biliran and 25 on Maripipi. These include the rare Philippine Nectar Bat Eonycteris robusta on both Biliran and Maripipi Islands, and the vulnerable Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox Pteropus pumilus.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Biliran (55,542 ha) lies about three kilometres off the northern tip of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas. Both Biliran and the adjacent small island of Maripipi (3,171 ha) are mountainous, rising to 1,320 and 924 m respectively. About 48% or 26,870 ha of the two islands are classified as timberland, mainly in the central parts of both islands. However, all areas below 500 m have been cleared for agriculture, and it was recently estimated that less than 10% of Biliran and 15-20% of Maripipi remains covered by primary or lightly disturbed forest. This includes lowland forest on the lower slopes of the hills, and montane forest, including mossy forest, around the higher peaks. The Asug Forest Reserve lies 10 km south of Caibiran on Biliran. The elevation there ranges from 300-1,266 m, and forest covers 77.7% of the area. It is a tourist destination, because of the picturesque and clear waters of Tomalistic Falls. Private investors are proposing to build a mineral water bottling plant to tap this water. The forested interior of Biliran is an important watershed.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The remaining forests on Biliran and Maripipi are under pressure from an increasing population, although on Maripipi the steep mountain slopes appear to provide some natural protection. Illegal logging is reported to be a major problem.
Additional information
References: Rickart et al. (1993).