Mount Nacolod (9778)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Mount Nacolod
Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.4500, Longitude: 125.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 850 to 1007
Area of KBA (km2): 334.77776
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mt Nacolod is in the south-eastern Leyte, and rises to 1,007 m. There are two significant areas of forest on the mountain, Buac Watershed Forest Reserve and Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation. Buac Watershed Forest Reserve has a flat to severely sloping terrain. A major portion (74%) of the area is forested, and the rest are kaingin and cultivated land (13%) and brushland (13%). It is a municipal watershed and is the source of water for surrounding towns. The Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation has c.454 ha of old growth forest, c.1,134 ha of second growth forest, c.544 ha of mossy forest, c.227 ha of brushland and c.2,177 ha of cultivated land. It is bordered to the east by agricultural land and coconut, abaca and rubber plantations. To the north, south and west are unclassified forests. A mini-hydroelectic plant has been put up in the area by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to provide electricity. An irrigation system by the NIA was also ¬erected to supply water to nearby farmlands.
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: Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded in southern Leyte, and are likely to occur in the remaining forests on Mt Nacolod. These include the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, which has been recorded from near to the mountain. There is clearly a need for survey work, in particular to determine the importance of the forests on Mt Nacolod as part of the network of sites required for the conservation of the eagle.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Mt Nacolod is in the south-eastern Leyte, and rises to 1,007 m. There are two significant areas of forest on the mountain, Buac Watershed Forest Reserve and Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation. Buac Watershed Forest Reserve has a flat to severely sloping terrain. A major portion (74%) of the area is forested, and the rest are kaingin and cultivated land (13%) and brushland (13%). It is a municipal watershed and is the source of water for surrounding towns. The Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation has c.454 ha of old growth forest, c.1,134 ha of second growth forest, c.544 ha of mossy forest, c.227 ha of brushland and c.2,177 ha of cultivated land. It is bordered to the east by agricultural land and coconut, abaca and rubber plantations. To the north, south and west are unclassified forests. A mini-hydroelectic plant has been put up in the area by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to provide electricity. An irrigation system by the NIA was also ¬erected to supply water to nearby farmlands.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Buac Watershed Forest Reserve and Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation lie within the license area of the Timber Producers Marketing Corporation, with Timber License Agreement (TLA) No. 375. Illegal logging and kaingin are widespread in the area, and land-use conflicts exist there such as tenurial problems, illegal settlement, illegal clearing and conversion of land into agricultural lots by settlers. In addition to the indigenous Mangyan community, people from other parts of the Visayas are settling in the area. Soil erosion is a problem on denuded slopes. In 1995, a one year Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Project was implemented. This area lies on the Philippine Fault and is subject to numerous earthquakes, and the presence of forest is therefore important in protecting against potential mudslides.