Biosphere Reserve – Philippines

Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve is situated on Mindoro Island, about 120 km south of Manila. Its 23,200 hectares make up the northern tip of Mindoro Island and are bounded to the north by the Verde Island Passage, to the west by the Camarong River and to the east by the municipality of San Teodoro

Ecosystems represented in Puerto Galera BR are savannas and grasslands, dipterocarp forests, mossy forests, mangrove, coral reefs and coastal ecosystems as well as agroforestry systems. A wide variety of endemic species are present, including tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis). The conservation of coral reefs has been recognized as one of the main tasks of the biosphere reserve since healthy coral reefs are important for the conservation of biodiversity, the maintenance of the traditional lifestyle and culture, tourism revenues, education and research.

To learn more about Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve: https://www.amazingpuertogalera.com/

The province of Palawan is known as the Philippine’s “last ecological frontier.” The Palawan BR is an archipelago composed of a main island and more than 1,700 islands, located at the western part of the Philippines. It is endowed with rich natural resources and highly diverse flora and fauna found in both land and sea. It is home to two (2) UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Based on the IUCN classification, it has 105 out of the 475 threatened species in the Philippines. Of the 105 threatened species, 67 are endemic to the Philippines, while 42 of the 67 Philippine endemics are Palawan endemics.Its coastal and marine ecosystems include coral reef (379 species of corals), seagrass meadow (13 species), and mangrove (31 species, distributed in 44,500 hectares of mangrove forests, the highest remaining mangrove cover in the Philippines). It also harbors several marine mammals such as marine turtles, dugong, and whale sharks. The characteristics of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are also diverse. It is composed of oldgrowth and secondgrowth tropical rainforest, karstic limestone, forest over ultramafic rocks, casuarinas and beach forest.They serve as habitats to freshwater fish (total of 18 Philippines endemics), amphibians (26 Philippines endemics), reptiles (69 species), birds (279 species), migratory birds, terrestrial mammals (58 species, 16 are Palawan endemics).

The total population in 2000 is 755,412 with an annual population growth rate of 3.6%. The Palawan BR is also home to approximately 57 ethnolinguistic groups with 3 indigenous peoples: the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, and the Bataks.The major economic activities are agriculture and fisheries. Other important industries are tourism, on-shore and off-shore mining, gathering of minor forest products, and pearl farming.

The Albay Biosphere Reserve is located at the southern end of the Luzon Island of the Philippines, and covers some 250,000 hectares. The terrestrial elevation of the site culminates at 2,462 metres, while its marine part reaches a depth of 223 below sea level. The site’s high conservation value is constituted, notably, by 182 terrestrial plant species, 46 of which are endemic. Its marine and coastal ecosystems comprise 12 species of mangrove, 40 species of seaweed or macro-algae, and 10 species of sea grass. Five of the world’s seven species of marine turtles are also found in Albay. Agriculture is the main source of income in the area.

The Albay Biosphere Reserve is located in Southeastern Luzon in the Philippines. Its inner lands are composed mainly of open, grassland and forest ecosystems, while its coastline consists of mangrove forest, urban centres and agricultural land. It is home to three mountains including Mt Mayon, the Philippines’ most active volcano, which reaches 2,462 metres above sea level at its highest elevation. The reserve contains 182 terrestrial plant species of which 46 are endemic. It also hosts four endemic mammal species, 12 endemic species of birds including the famous Luzon bleeding heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), 17 species of amphibians of which 13 are endemic, and 30 species of reptiles of which 22 are endemic. In addition, Albay’s marine and coastal ecosystems are home to 62 species of flora, which represent 62.5% of all known species in the Philippines, as well as five of the world’s seven marine turtle species. The diversity of seagrass, seaweed beds and mangrove forests in the reserve is intrinsically linked with the diversity of faunal species found across the marine and coastal ecosystems, particularly in the marshlands or mangroves. The marine and coastal fauna encompass 272 species including 158 species of gastropod, 15 bivalve species, 12 crustacean species, 13 echinoderm species, 1 sea slug species, 26 coral species, 5 species of turtles and 42 fish species.

As of 2010, the reserve had 1,233,432 inhabitants distributed among 15 municipalities and three cities. The Bicolano are the dominant ethnic group and constitute the majority population. The reserve has a rich cultural diversity indicated by the use of four spoken languages, as well as the presence of three indigenous groups: the Agta Cimarron, the Agta Tabangnon and the Tabo. Traditional agricultural practices such as crop farming and wetland rice farming remain the reserve’s main economic activities, while fishing, ecotourism on Mt Mayon and crafts also represent significant additional sources of revenue. Examples of the latter include pottery-making in Tiwi, knife-making in Tabaco, mat-weaving in Bacacay and abaca handicrafts in Daraga. The Tabo were able to remain in the reserve due to the development of a local and sustainable economy. Today, the tribe’s economy is based on fishing, trading, gathering palm leaves to make into shingles, and producing firewood and charcoal from mangroves. In addition, the Tabo have been taught to make woven bags from karagumoy, a local plant with leaves similar to the pineapple, which grows in the forested areas of Rapu-Rapu. A number of cultural celebrations take place in the reserve, including the Daragang Magayon Festival, which is inspired by the reserve’s three mountains. The area also hosts several historic landmarks.

To know more about Albay Biosphere Reserve: https://albay.gov.ph/

The yApayaos Biosphere Reserve is divided into two distinct regions: the Upper Apayao sports rugged terrain with towering peaks, plateaus and valleys, whereas the Lower Apayao features flatlands adorned with rolling hills and plateaus. Stretching 180 km, the majestic Apayao River serves as a vital watershed, nurturing 18 tributaries across the province. Recognized for its ecological significance, Apayao harbors the Apayao Lowland Forest Key Biodiversity Area, which has high levels of endemism and serves as a refuge for critically endangered species like the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).

Apayao is one of the Philippines’ last remaining lowland forests, and the Apayao Lowland Forest is one of Northern Luzon’s 12 globally recognized Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA). The site has a globally high level of endemism, including 18 Philippine endemic plants listed as threatened and 2 tree species listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. It is also home to the critically endangered Philippine Eagles (Pithecophaga jefferyi), indicating a healthy dipterocarp forest and the presence of prey items.

yApayaos is a name that encompasses both the people and diverse flora and fauna living in the area. There are various ethnolinguistic groups and ten Indigenous Cultural Communities whose traditions and laws are deeply intertwined with the land and its resources. Notably, the Isnag/Isneg community constitutes 30 percent of the population; it upholds the Lapat system, a unique customary practice regulating the use of natural resources and protection of the environment. The population of some 124 000 engages primarily in rice and corn cultivation. However, ecotourism is progressing in the province.