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Mount Apo and Mount Hamiguitan: Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao

Les noms des biens figurent dans la langue dans laquelle les Etats parties les ont soumis.

Philippines (Asie et pacifique)
Date de soumission : 10/09/2008
Critères: (x)
Catégorie : Naturel
Soumis par : UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines
Etat, province ou région : Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Island of Mindanao
Ref.: 5387

Description

Mt. Apo Natural Park:  N60 47 to N7 07 and E125 09 to E125 27

Mt. Hamiguitan Wildllife Sanctuary:  N6 40 to N6 47 and E126 09 to E126 13

1)  Mount Apo Natural Park

The 64,053.00 hectares Mt Apo Natural Park is dominated by the highest mountain in the Philippine archipelago, the majestic Mt. Apo, a volcanic mountain rising to 3,143.6 meters above sea level. Mt Apo hosts five (5) distinct forest formations, from lowland forest to low montane forest, high montane forest and finally to summit or scrub forest. In addition to variations in its topography, interactions of other factors, such as, climate, soil, geology, slope and drainage have allowed for the development of a wide diversity in plant community types and associations in the region.

Mt. Apo is considered to be one of the richest botanical mountains in the region hosting hundreds of rare, endemic and threatened species of flora. An estimated eight hundred (800) vascular and non vascular plant species among Mt. Apo 's endemics were collected between 300 meters asl and 1000 meters asl. Identified floral species includes 629 species, 42 of which are endemic and 18 species are considered at risk, including the Vanda sanderiana (Waling-Waling) which is recognized as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids” and recommended by plant enthusiasts as the Philippine National Flower.

Endemics identified at each forest formation, between 300 meters asl. and 1000 meters asl. include members of the genera Pipturus, Sauravia and Poikilospermum. Humalanthus populneus, Elephantopus spicatus, Piper apoanum and Vanda sanderiana are possibly extinct in the wild. Endemic at mild altitudes include the endangered Lithocarpus submonticolus and Peperonia elmeri. In the upper montane forest, the endemic species are Cypholopus microphyllus and Nepenthus copelandi. Thirty-seven (37) species were highly valued, such as, the endangered Agathis philippinensis (almaciga) and dipterocarps, such as the rare Vatica manggachapoi  and Shorea palita (Lauan).

The nominated property is the habitat of a total of 227 vertebrate species belonging to 59 families of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Likewise, 118 species of butterflies belonging to 69 families are recorded in the area. There are 272 species of birds, wherein 111 (40%) are endemic to Mount Apo and 2 species are in the critical list.

One endemic but critically endangered bird species is Pithecophaga jefferyi (Philippine Eagle) whose remaining population is believed to be only around 500. The Philippine eagle is of outstanding universal value for science and conservation, whose nesting and feeding areas are located in dipterocarp forests including closed canopy forests. It is the second largest eagle in the world. The aviator Charles Lindbergh, as representative of the World Wildlife Fund, proclaimed it as “the air’s noblest flyer.” The Philippine eagle is the nation’s symbol and is locally known as “haribon” or bird king. With a wingspan of two meters, this bird of prey boasts the largest surface area in its wings among all eagle species. Like the giant panda of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary, recently inscribed as a World Heritage Site at the 30th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Vilnius last July, the Philippine eagle is a wonder of nature of great charisma. This bird is not found elsewhere in the world and has become the symbol of Philippine conservation efforts. Widespread destruction of its habitat and collection is driving this species to extinction.  Another endemic bird species in the critical list is Cacatua heamatopygia (Abukay).

2)  Mount Hamiguitan and Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

Mt. Hamiguitan, another sanctuary of endemism of outstanding universal value is part of the Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindanao.  It is the only protected forest noted for its unique bonsai field or ‘pygmy’ forest of 100-year old trees in an ultramafic soil. Mt. Hamiguitan has been found to have five (5) vegetation types and these are the agroecosystem, dipterocarp, montane and typical mossy and the mossy-pygmy forest. This serially nominated property is found to possess high and varied ecosystem with many endangered, endemic and rare species of flora and fauna. One of the endangered bird species located is the majestic Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).  It has been identified by Conservation International as one of the Philippines ‘hotspots’ that is included by the Philippines Eagle Alliance as one of the first priority sites in Eastern Mindanao for conservation and protection.

The 6,834-hectare total surface area of Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by five (5) vegetation types, namely, agro-ecosystem (75-420m asl), dipterocarp (420-920m asl), montane (920-1160m asl), typical mossy (1160-1350m asl) and the mossy-pygmy forest (1160-1200m asl).  Each of these forest type harbors endemic, threatened, rare and economically important species of flora and fauna.

The mossy-pygmy forest occupies approximately 225 hectares of the sanctuary. Trees have an average height of only 1.4m with a diameter of 8 cm. Two dominant species that can only be found in this forest type are Leptospermum flavescens and Wendlandia nervosa. Other species include Tristaniopsis micrantha, Dacrydium elatum, Calophyllum blancoi, Symplocos polyandra, and  Agathis philippinensis (Almaciga) which has the highest average height of only 2.4 m.  Madulid (1991) reported that this type of vegetation is associated with ultramafic species, such as, Calophyllum sp. Norman (2004) explained that the stunted growth of trees could be attributed to a high concentration of chromium, iron, nickel and magnesium in soil.

Inventory of flora species in each vegetation type revealed that the montane forest has the highest species richness of plants with 462 species, followed by dipterocarp forest with 338 species. Mossy and agro-system have the lowest species richness value of 246 each. The highest diversity index of trees (1.7) could be observed in the montane forest while a diversity index of 1.273 was observed in the mossy forest.  The mossy-pygmy forest has the highest diversity index (1.498) for shrubs, herbs and vines. Assessment of the conservation status of the 477 identified species revealed that 163 species (18.56%) are endemic, 35 species (3.99%) threatened, 33 species (3.75%) rare and 204 species (23.23%) economically important. Eight (8) species, namely, Elaeocarpus verticillatus, Patersonia lowii, Astronia lagunensis, Nepenthes argentii, N. mira, Schizaea inopinata and S. malaccana, have been found to be new record in Mindanao and one species, Nepenthes maxima, as new record in the Philippines. Based on sampling plots, endemicity of trees per vegetation type revealed that as elevation increases, endemic species also increase.  This property is therefore found to be very rich in endemism.

The IUCN Red List has identified at least 11 endangered vertebrate species.  The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources and Development (PCARRD) reported that the mountain is inhabited by five endangered species, 27 rare species, 44 endemic species and 59 economically important species.  In July 2004, the Mt. Hamiguitan Range has been declared under Republic Act 9303 as a protected area under the category of wildlife sanctuary. Out of the 14 species of mammals observed in Hamiguitan Range, seven species (50%) were found as Philippine endemic and three species (21.4%) as Mindanao endemic with six threatened species. Two endemic species of mammals in Hamiguitan Range, Acerodon jubatus (Golden-crown Flying Fox) and Tarsius syrichta (Philippine Tarsier) are endangered; three endemic species are vulnerable, Sus philippinensis (Philippine Warty Pig), Cervus mariannus (Philippine Brown Deer), and Haplonycteris fischeri (Philippine Mossy-pygmy Fruit Bat); and one endemic species is threatened, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Asian Palm Civet). For birds, a total of fifty-three species were found, of which ten species (18.9%) are Mindanao endemic and 20 species (37.7) are Philippines endemic, respectively with four threatened species.  Two endemic species of birds, Phapitreron cinereiceps (Dark-eared brown dove) and Pinelopides panini (Tarictic Hornbill) are endangered; one is near-threatened, Aethopyga primigenius (Grey-hooded sunbird) and one vulnerable, Mimizuku gumeyi (Giant-scoop Owl).

Mindanao’s sanctuaries of endemism are properties belonging to the 15 biogeographic zones in the Philippines considered to have the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area. Mount Apo Natural Park and Mount Hamiguitan Range and Wildlife Sanctuary are two sites in the island of Mindanao nominated as a serial property for inclusion that possess outstanding universal significance.

Valeur universelle exceptionnelle

Justification de la Valeur Universelle Exceptionelle

Mount Apo and Mount Haguimitan are part of the Sanctuaries of Endemism in southern Mindanao.  These two properties are part of the reason why the Philippines ranks 7th among the 17 biological rich countries of the world.  These two properties represent the fast disappearing habitats of globally important species of plants and animals.  The diversity of habitats and plant and animal species in these two properties is attributed to the geologic setting.  Mount Apo is a Pliocene-Quaternary volcanic terrain, which provided opportunity for diversity due to high altitude.  While Mount Hamiguitan is an ultramafic terrain giving rise to an ultramafic forest and associated diverse habitats and flora and fauna.  At the national level, these sanctuaries are a conservation interest.  At a global scale, these properties are known to be habitats of globally important species of plants and animals.

Satements of authenticity and/or integrity

Mindanao’s sanctuaries of endemism are properties located in same bio-geographic zones that are found to have the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area.

 

The Mount Apo Natural Park is one of these sanctuaries and is one of the 14 bio-geographic zones of the Philippines. It has one of the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area. At 3,144 meters above sea level, it is the Philippines’ highest peak with three (3) distinct forest formations from lowland tropical rainforest to mid-mountain forests and finally to high mountain forests. Its base covers about 71,796 hectares of mountain ranges that extend to two (2) regions of Mindanao from Davao City, Bansalan, Digos and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur in Region 11 and Makilala, Magpet and Kidapawan, North Cotabato in Region 12. Mount Apo harbors the largest number of few remaining identified habitats of the majestic and endemic but endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the most critically threatened bird species in the Philippines (around 500 are believed to remain in the wild) of outstanding universal value for science and conservation, whose nesting and feeding areas are located in dipterocarp forests including closed canopy forests. It is the second largest eagle in the world. The aviator Charles Lindbergh, as representative of the World Wildlife Fund, proclaimed it as “the air’s noblest flyer.” The Philippine eagle is the nation’s symbol and is locally known as “haribon” or bird king. With a wingspan of two meters, this bird of prey boasts the largest surface area in its wings among all eagle species. Like the giant panda of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary, recently inscribed as a World Heritage Site at the 30th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Vilnius last July, the Philippine eagle is a wonder of nature of great charisma. Aside from the Philippine eagle, Mount Apo also hosts hundreds of endemic species of flora and fauna. Its floral list includes 629 species, 42 of which are endemic and 18 species are considered at risk, including the Waling-Waling (Vanda sanderiana) which is recognized as the Queen of Philippine Orchids and recommended by plant enthusiasts as the Philippine National Flower.

 

Mt. Hamiguitan is part of the Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary located in Davao Oriental, Mindanao.  It is the only protected forest noted for its unique bonsai field or ‘pygmy’ forest in an ultramatic soil that is a result of the development of rock weathers that has left the soil with an unsually high concentration of iron and magnesium, thereby causing it to be unproductive.  This forest type has a substrate predominated by rocks called ultrabasic or surpentines. Mt. Hamiguitan has been found to have five (5) vegetation types and these are the agroecosystem, dipterocarp, montane and typical mossy and the mossy-pygmy forest.  In the pygmy forest, only a specialized group of plants grow on this type of forest, those that are often low, heath-like shrubs such as the Nepenthes alata, a facultative species, and obligate ultramatic species of Nepenthes, which has been found to be numerous in the area. It has been declared as a protected area in the Philippines as it is found to possess a varied ecosystem with many endangered, endemic and rare species of flora and fauna. Also endemic in Mt. Hamiguitan is the majestic and Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). The Hamiguitan Range has been identified by Conservation International as one of the Philippines ‘hotspots’ that is included by the Philippines Eagle Alliance as one of the first priority sites in Eastern Mindanao for conservation and protection. 

 

Both Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan are declared Protected Areas.  They are protected under RA. 9237 and RA 9303, respectively. The management system is in place and both properties are being managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and the Protected Area Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Natural Resources of the Philippines. Being sanctuaries of endemism, Mt Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan present the highest and richest bio-diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area having unique, rare and threatened endemic species of outstanding universal value. Its outstanding value comes from its being a sanctuary, habitat and centers of endemism of rare and threatened species.

Comparison with other similar properties

The Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao is being compared with the following Natural and Mixed properties:

 

1.      Kinabalu Park (N ii, iv/ 2000) in the State of Sabah on the northern end of the island of Borneo in Malaysia.  This is dominated by Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m), the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, it has a very wide range of habitats, from rich tropical lowland and hill rainforest to tropical mountain forest, sub-alpine forest and scrub on the higher elevations. It has been designated as a Centre of Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia and is exceptionally rich in species with examples of flora from the Himalayas, China, Australia, Malaysia, as well as pan-tropical flora. The Kinabulu NP is a 75,400ha park north Sabah; lowland montane tropical rainforest; high biodiversity with 75 of Borneo’s 135 ficus species (13 endemic), and 72 Fagaceae species; 25% of fauna species are endemic, 290 species of butterfly and moth; 4094m Mt. Kinabulu.

 

2.      Taman Negara National Park, MALAYSIA (PENISULA) 434,000ha area is one of largest tropical rainforest reserves in Southeast Asia; lowland montane evergreen rainforest.  Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, this Nationa Park has a high biodiversity with over 2000 flora species.  The 2189m Mt. Tahan  is the highest point on the  Malaysia Peninsula.

 

3.      Gunung Mulu National Park (N i, ii, iii, iv/ 2000) in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.  This property is important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features, Gunung Mulu National Park.  It is located on the island of Borneo in the State of Sarawak and is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, this park contains a rich biodiversity of species. The 52,864-ha park contains 17 vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in 20 genera noted.

 

The Sanctuaries of Endemism of Mindanao has Mt. Apo having a height of 3,144 meters above sea level and is the Philippines’ highest peak with three (3) distinct forest formations from lowland tropical rainforest to mid-mountain forests and finally to high mountain forests, and with Mt. Hamiguitan, being the only protected forest noted for its unique bonsai field or ‘pygmy’ forest in an ultramatic soil that is a result of the development of rock weathers that has left the soil with an unsually high concentration of iron and magnesium, thereby causing it to be unproductive.  This forest type has a substrate predominated by rocks called ultrabasic or surpentines.

 

Gunung Mulu National Park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world. The Gunung Mulu NP MALAYSIA has 52,900ha protected area with expansive tropical lowland montane rainforest; 2371m Mt. Mulu; limestone massif; high endemism and biodiversity of flora and fauna; inhabited by Penan peoples.

 

4.      Gunung Leuser NP in Sumatra, INDONESIA  is one of largest tropical rain forests protected areas in Indonesia (835,500ha).  It has montane, swamp, subalpine and lowland dipterocarp rain forests.  Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, it is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna found only in this part of the world. Over 2000 flora species, a biosphere reserve, ecosystem development project and Orang-utan Rehab Centre (orang-utans, gibbons, tigers, monkeys, elephants, leopards, Sumatran rhino) waterfalls, hot springs, volcanic rock are found in the area.

 

5.      Kutai Game Reserve in Kalimantan INDONESIA is a 200,000 ha biosphere reserve that is a best example of tropical rainforest on Kalimantan.  It is one of Southeast Asia’s largest lowland montane rainforests with 262 dipterocarps and 83% of Borneo’s forest species.  Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, it is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna found only in this part of the world.

 

6.      Irian Jaya Tropical Forest Protected Areas in IRIAN JAYA is one of the largest expanses of pristine tropical rainforest (35 million ha) in Southeast Asia.  It has lower montane forests occur below 3000m and upper montane and subalpine forest above 3400m; swamp, eucalyptus, beach, and mangrove (2nd largest behind Sundarbans) forest; sago palm is staple foodsource.  It has two national parks and seven nature/game reserves. Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, it is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna found only in this part of the world.

 

7.      Lorentz National Park (N i, ii, iv/ 1999), Indonesia (2.5 million ha) is the largest protected area in South-East Asia. Different from the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, the Lorentz National Park is the only protected area in the world to incorporate a continuous, intact transect from snowcap to tropical marine environment, including extensive lowland wetlands. Located at the meeting-point of two colliding continental plates, the area has a complex geology with ongoing mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation. The area also contains fossil sites which provide evidence of the evolution of life on New Guinea.  However, like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, the Lorentz park is found to have high level of endemism and the highest level of biodiversity in the region.

 

8.      Andaman Island Protected Areas in India  which is a six national parks and 94 wildlife sanctuaries on Andaman and Nicobar islands covering 70,800ha.  Unlike the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, this property is of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, beach, bamboo and mangrove forests.  But it is found to have a high rate of biodiversity of flora species, esp. on Andaman like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao.

 

9.      Western Ghats INDIA which is over 15 million ha of area with eight national parks and 39 wildlife sanctuaries;.  It has moist evergreen forest across mountain range.  Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, it is rich in species diversity (84 of India’s 112 endemic amphibians).  It has monkeys, squirrels and bats live in tree canopy, with deer and elephants that browse in lower branches and understorey.  Clear felling in the property was stopped in mountainous areas by Chipko movement.

 

10.  Southern Laos Tropical Forest Reserves in LAOS is the most extensive undisturbed tropical evergreen forest region in Laos. Like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao that being considered as a priority area for conservation, the Southern Laos Tropical Forest Reserves has the lowland tropical forest of Belovens Plateau (80,000ha) Xe Piane (15,000ha) and Bung Nong Ngom National Parks which have been identified as priority areas for conservation.  It consists of dense evergreen and semi-evergreen monsoon forests and open deciduous forest in flatter areas.  And like the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Mindanao, this property is found to have numerous flora and fauna including threatened species.  In the Sounthern Laos Tropical Forest Reserves are found such threatened species as the black gibbon, clouded leopard, tiger, Asian elephant and kouprey. This is being proposed as a transborder site with Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.