Mount Latian complex (9806)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Mount Latian complex
Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.1500, Longitude: 125.5500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 490 to 1853
Area of KBA (km2): 949.70132
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large range of mountains extends southwards along the border between South Cotabato and Davao del Sur Provinces, from near Mt Latian in the north to near Mt Daingan in the south, which include several peaks which rise to well over 1,000 m. A large block of forest is shown there on recent forest cover maps, which includes substantial areas of both montane forest around the peaks and lowland forest on the lower slopes. On Mt Daingan, for example, there are old-growth dipterocarp forests at elevations ranging from 490 to 1,800 m. These forests are vital for the protection of the watersheds of several major rivers, such as the Big Glan, Big Lun and Little Lun, which feed agricultural lands to the north and south of General Santos City.
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 in this IBA, mainly during a collecting expedition to Mt Tuduk in 1966. They are mainly birds of lowland and mid-altitude forest, including Lesser Eagle-owl, Silvery Kingfisher, Wattled Broadbill and Azure-breasted Pitta. The extensive, relatively low-altitude forests that are reported to survive in the Mt Latian complex are likely to support significant populations of many of these and of other birds of conservation concern. This could prove to be one of the most important sites for the conservation of lowland birds in the EBA.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: A large range of mountains extends southwards along the border between South Cotabato and Davao del Sur Provinces, from near Mt Latian in the north to near Mt Daingan in the south, which include several peaks which rise to well over 1,000 m. A large block of forest is shown there on recent forest cover maps, which includes substantial areas of both montane forest around the peaks and lowland forest on the lower slopes. On Mt Daingan, for example, there are old-growth dipterocarp forests at elevations ranging from 490 to 1,800 m. These forests are vital for the protection of the watersheds of several major rivers, such as the Big Glan, Big Lun and Little Lun, which feed agricultural lands to the north and south of General Santos City.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There are a number of threats to the forests of this IBA. There are several roads from the densely populated lowlands to the edge of the closed canopy forests, which has allowed access for kaingin. For example, a block of 500 ha of closed canopy forest in the vicinity of Mt Tangali has recently been reported to have been converted into cornfields. Uncontrolled forest fires are also a problem. Poor monitoring, detection and reporting facilities and slow reaction often allow these fires to get out of control.