Anonang-Lobi Range (9777)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Anonang-Lobi Range
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.0333, Longitude: 124.8000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 800 to 1346
Area of KBA (km2): 580.45006
Protected area coverage (%): 3.20
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Anonang-Lobi mountain range runs from north to south through western Leyte, and includes Mt Lobi, Mt Burauen Graben and Mt Camaiyak. The highest peak, Mt Lobi, rises to 1,346 m. A large block of old growth forest was shown there on recent forest cover maps, but this forest is actually mostly secondary growth in the lowlands which covers c.38% of the area and mossy forest which covers c.16%. Agricultural areas cover c.46%.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. 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: Many of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded in or near to the Anonang-Lobi range. These include all three species endemic to the Eastern Visayas, Samar Hornbill, Visayan Broadbill and Yellow-breasted Tailorbird. Many of these birds were collected there during expeditions in the 1960s, but there is little recent information on their status. There is clearly a need for more survey work, in particular to determine the importance of the forests on the Anonang-Lobi range and elsewhere on Leyte as part of the network of sites required for the conservation of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. Non-bird biodiversity: The Philippine Deer Cervus mariannus, Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippensis and Philippine Tarsier Tarsius syrichta are also found here.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The Anonang-Lobi mountain range runs from north to south through western Leyte, and includes Mt Lobi, Mt Burauen Graben and Mt Camaiyak. The highest peak, Mt Lobi, rises to 1,346 m. A large block of old growth forest was shown there on recent forest cover maps, but this forest is actually mostly secondary growth in the lowlands which covers c.38% of the area and mossy forest which covers c.16%. Agricultural areas cover c.46%.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is presumably some pressure on the forests in this IBA from agricultural encroachment and illegal logging, but the level of threat is unclear. The Anonang-Lobi range is enclosed within the Philippine National Oil Company’s (PNOC) Geothermal Reservation, which was declared by Proclamation No. 1412 in April 1975, covering 107,625 ha. The PNOC maintains geothermal structures and conducts drilling operations, and is also mandated to protect the forest, but it has opened roads which are allowing logging and kaingin.