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Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental
is a protected area in Mindanao that has been identified as
one of the Philippine environmental ‘hotspots’
and one of the first priority sites in Eastern Mindanao for
conservation and protection.
It is
the only remaining old growth forest in Davao Oriental and
is home to the endangered Philippine eagle. About 225 ha of
its 6,834 ha land area is a ‘mossy-pygmy’ forest
(contains only miniature trees). It also has an ultramafic
soil (has high magnesium and iron content).
In order
to support conservation efforts, the Central Mindanao University
(CMU), in partnership with local ‘Bantay Gubat’
researchers conducted an inventory of the remaining plant
diversity in the area. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership
Fund-Conservation International (CEPF-CI) funded the research,
which PCARRD monitored and evaluated.
Four vegetation
types were identified in Mt. Hamiguitan – agroecosystem,
dipterocarp, montane and mossy forests (typical mossy and
mossy-pygmy forest).
Mt. Hamiguitan’s
inventory of trees and shrubs in sampled plots showed high
species richness per unit area and high diversity values;
but it also contained many endemic, endangered, rare and economically
important species of plants.
According
to the study, the area is home to 843 species, 242 genera
and 120 families of plants. Of these, 678 were angiosperms,
29 gymnosperms, 121 ferns and 15 fern allies. It is also home
to eight endangered, 27 rare, 47 endemic and 165 economically
important plant species. The study also found nine species
considered new in the Philippines or in Mindanao.
One disturbing
find is that lowland dipterocarp and pygmy forests at lower
elevations are under threat due to over harvest of forest
products and road expansion for mining activities. Hence,
the study recommends that the identified habitats of threatened
and endemic species be given high priority for conservation.
Meanwhile,
the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) formulates policies
aiming to maintain the sustainable utilization, protection
and management of the biological resources in the range. (Ma.
Rowena M. Baltazar, S&T Media Service)
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