Siargao island (9782)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Siargao island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.8833, Longitude: 126.0333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 290
Area of KBA (km2): 645.77925
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA includes the adjacent islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, which lie a few kilometers off the north-eastern coast of Mindanao. They are low-lying islands that rise to a maximum altitude of only 290 m. There are very extensive mangrove forests on the island, which cover a total of c. 8,700 ha. There are large areas of old growth lowland dipterocarp forest (reported to cover c.12% of the island) and secondary or residual forest (reported to cover 33% of the island), and areas of grassland (reported to cover 12% of the island).
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 on the island of Siargao, mainly during a collecting expedition in 1972, including Lesser Eagle-owl, Silvery Kingfisher and Wattled Broadbill. This IBA is particularly notable for the population of the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo that survives there. Non-bird biodiversity: Other threatened and endemic animals recorded on Siargao include the Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus, marine turtles (Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata, etc.), Philippine Tarsier Tarsius syrichta, Flying Lemur Cynocephalus volans and Dugong Dugong dugon. The interesting flora includes fire orchids, century orchids Dendrobium and Pitcher plants Nepenthes spp.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This IBA includes the adjacent islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, which lie a few kilometers off the north-eastern coast of Mindanao. They are low-lying islands that rise to a maximum altitude of only 290 m. There are very extensive mangrove forests on the island, which cover a total of c. 8,700 ha. There are large areas of old growth lowland dipterocarp forest (reported to cover c.12% of the island) and secondary or residual forest (reported to cover 33% of the island), and areas of grassland (reported to cover 12% of the island).
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The increasing population of the islands is putting very significant pressure on the natural environment. Problems include the collection of forest products, particularly timber and mangrove cutting. Birds are hunted on the islands and there are illegal fishing activities.