Basilan Natural Biotic Area (9813)
Philippines, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Basilan Natural Biotic Area
Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.5833, Longitude: 122.0500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 968
Area of KBA (km2): 219.77011
Protected area coverage (%): 20.60
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Basilan Island lies c.20 km south of the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula of south-western Mindanao. It is a hilly island, with several peaks that ascend to almost 1,000 m, including Mt Kebang (Twin Peak) and Mt Mohadji. This IBA includes the forests that remain in the hilly central part of the island, which are recommended by the DENR-9 for protection under the NIPAS as the Basilan Natural Biotic Area. An area of 234 ha of primary forest is reported to remain on Mt Mohadji, which also has patches of secondary forest which cover a total area of 2,500 ha. These areas were logged more than 20 years ago, but have now regenerated. Most of this is lowland forest, with limited areas of mossy forest around the highest peaks.
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: Many of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded on Basilan, but there is little recent information on their status there. Several of these birds were found to be relatively abundant there in the past, notably the threatened Mindanao Bleeding-heart and Celestial Monarch. It is possible that the remaining forests on the island could prove to be very important for the conservation of some of these birds. The Zamboanga Bulbul is known only from Basilan and the western half of Mindanao, a distribution that it shares with several subspecies of birds. A total of 12 subspecies are endemic to Basilan alone, the four listed above in the table plus Colasisi Loriculus philippensis dohertyi, Philippine Fairy-bluebird Irena cyanogaster melanochlamys, Streaked Ground-babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis basilanica, Brown tit-babbler Macronous striaticeps striaticeps, Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus castaneiceps mearnsi, Rufous-tailed Jungle-flycatcher Rhinomyias ruficauda ruficauda, Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippensis basilanica and Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra randi.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Basilan Island lies c.20 km south of the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula of south-western Mindanao. It is a hilly island, with several peaks that ascend to almost 1,000 m, including Mt Kebang (Twin Peak) and Mt Mohadji. This IBA includes the forests that remain in the hilly central part of the island, which are recommended by the DENR-9 for protection under the NIPAS as the Basilan Natural Biotic Area. An area of 234 ha of primary forest is reported to remain on Mt Mohadji, which also has patches of secondary forest which cover a total area of 2,500 ha. These areas were logged more than 20 years ago, but have now regenerated. Most of this is lowland forest, with limited areas of mossy forest around the highest peaks. In February 1976, the Department of Agrarian Reform, through Proclamation No 1531, declared the southern border of the national park as a resettlement site, intended for rebel returnees. The Yakan tribe occupies 121 ha of the protected area, which they have cleared and planted with coconut and coffee. In addition, 20% of the area has been awarded to occupants under a certificate of stewardship contract (CSC).
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Basilan had extensive forest cover until the 1960s, when the American Logging Company (ARCO) and three other logging companies starting logging operations. This led to an influx of settlers, who continue to put pressure on the remaining forests through encroachment for agriculture, kaingin and resource gathering (e.g. rattan). Small-scale timber extraction and wildlife hunting are also widespread, and there is a mini-sawmill within the forest zone. Boundary delineation has not been undertaken in Basilan National Park, and settlers have moved into the park. In February 1976, the Department of Agrarian Reform, through Proclamation No 1531, declared the southern border of the national park as a resettlement site, intended for rebel returnees. The Yakan tribe occupies 121 ha of the protected area, which they have cleared and planted with coconut and coffee. In addition, 20% of the area has been awarded to occupants under a certificate of stewardship contract (CSC).
Additional information
References: Davis et al. (1995).