PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY: Ecological Roles, Uses, and Conservation Status A.C. Alcala, E.L. Alcala, I.E. Buot Jr., A. Diesmos, M.L. Dolar E.S. Fernando, J.C. Gonzalez and B. Tabaranza

2. PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY:
Ecological Roles, Uses, and Conservation Status
A.C. Alcala1, E.L. Alcala1, I.E. Buot Jr.2, A. Diesmos3, M.L. Dolar4
E S Fernando5, J C Gonzalez6 and B Tabaranza7
E.S. J.C. B.
1 Silliman University-Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, 2/F SU Marine Lab.,
University-
Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City, 6200
2 Institute
of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines – Los Baños,
g , g , y pp ,
College, 4031 Laguna
3 National Museum of the Philippines, Padre Burgos Ave., Ermita, Manila
4 Tropical Marine Research for Conservation, 6363 Lakewood St., San Diego, CA 92122, USA
5 Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the
Philippines – L B ñ
Phili i Los Baños, C ll
College, 4031 LLaguna
6 Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, and Museum of
Natural History, University of the Philippines – Los Baños, College, 4031 Laguna
7 Haribon Foundation, 140 Kalayaan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City

3. Introduction
• The Philippines is a
mega-biodiversity center
mega-g y
of the world
• Insular nature equable and
nature,
tropical conditions
Geographic isolation with sea
g p
barriers
Diverse microhabitats
Mountain areas with high
endemism rates
Rise of sea level to 120m after
lowest level 18 000 20 000 yr
18,000-20,000 Pleistocene Ice-age islands
ago was attained 6,000 yr ago of the Philippines

4. Introduction
• Socio-economic/ecological
Socio-economic/
importance of
p biodiversity
y
© NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Variety of human uses --
medicines, food, natural
A
products, source of income
Promotes/stabilizes natural
productivity of ecosystems
d ti it f t
© JASPE MAYPA
Sources of genetic material for
bio-technology
ER
i
• Specific information included in
discussion of various taxonomic groups

5. Introduction
presentation deals with the following
This
hotos: E Fernando I Buot
E Alcala, L Dolar
J Maypa, J Gonzalez
taxonomic groups:
o,
G
Flowering Plants and Ferns
-- E.S. Fernando, I.E. Buot
Ph
Fishes
-- A.C. Alcala
Amphibians and Reptiles
-- A.C. Alcala, A. Diesmos
Birds
-- J.C. Gonzalez
Mammals
--L.M.Dolar, E.L.Alcala, B.Tabaranza

6. Philippine
Flowering Plants
Fl i Pl
by E.S. Fernando
Department of Forest Biological Sciences
College of Forestry and Natural Resources
University of the Philippines – Los Baños
f

7. Plants are the primary
producers and provide th habitat
d the
infrastructure
for
f many ecosystems.
t

8. © NATION GEOGRAPHIC
Plants are an
NAL
food
important
source for us
and our wildlife.
Ptenochirus jagori feeding
on fruits of Ficus nota
GRAPHIC
Plants
Pl t have great
© NATIONAL GEOG
economic
importance and
i t
potential

9. Plants play a key role in maintaining
th b i ecological b l
the basic l i l balance and d
ecosystem stability.
Plants provide ecological goods
and services, i .
d i.e
clean air, potable water, fertile soils.

10. Estimated number of species of plants (including
algae, fungi, & lichens) currently known from the Philippines
Plant Group Estimated Number of Endemic
p
Species Species
p
Angiosperms 8,120 5,800 (71%)
Gymnosperms
y p 33 6 (18%)
(
Pteridophytes 1,100 285 (26%)
Bryophytes
yop ytes 1,271
, 195 (15%)
95 ( 5
Algae 1,355 ?
Fungi, slime molds, 3,555 ?
& water molds
Lichens 789 ?
(data from Gruezo 1979; DENR-UNEP 1997; Villareal & Fernando 2000; Barcelona 2002)
Fernando et al. (2006)

11. Threatened plants of the Philippines
(2005 assessment by the Philippine Plant Conservation Committee)
Plant Group CR EN VU OTS OWS PE All
Categories
C t i
Angiosperms 85 142 124 56 71 2 480
Gymnosperms
G - 9 2 - - - 11
Pteridophytes 9 35 51 8 99 1 203
Bryophytes - 2 - - - - 2
All Taxonomic 94 188 177 64 170 3 696
Groups
CR – Critically Endangered; EN – Endangered; VU- Vulnerable; OTS – Other Threatened Species;
OWS – Other Wildlife Species; PE – Possibly Extinct.
Fernando et al. (2006)

12. CENTERS OF PLANT DIVERSITY in the Philippines
areas rich in plant species, large number of endemic species,
diverse range of habitats.
1 Sierra Madre Mountains 11 Southern Samar 7
Luzon Island Samar Island
12 Mt Guiting-guiting
Guiting- 2
2 Mt Pulag Luzon Island
Sibuyan Island 1
3 Mt Arayat Luzon Island 13 Mt Kanlaon Negros Island 3
14 Mt Talinis + Lake Balinsayao 4
4 Mt Makiling Luzon Island 5 6
Negros Island*
8 12
5 Lobo, Batangas 9
15 Mt Baloy Panay Island*
B l 11
Luzon Island* 15
13
6 Mt Isarog Luzon Island 16 Mt Kitanglad Mindanao Island 10
14
17
7 Mt Iraya Batan Island 17 Agusan Marsh Mindanao Island 16
18
8 Mt Halcon Mindoro Island* 18 Mt Apo Mindanao Island
9 C
Coron Island
I l d
10 Palawan Island
Fernando et al. (2006)
Cox 1988, DENR-UNEP 1997

13. Philippines
88
Conservation
Priority Areas
y
for Plants
~I
Important
t t
Plant Areas
a t eas
Based on presence of endangered
species, endemism and taxon
richness, habitat diversity, degree
i h h bit t di it d
of exploration
Fernando et al. (2006)

14. Philippine Ferns
“Non Seed-bearing Vascular Plants”
Seed-
by I.E. Buot Jr.
Institute of Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
University of the Philippines – L Baños
U i it f th Phili i Los B ñ

15. Pteridophytes
ot
Photos by J Maypa & I Buo
1100 species
y
144 genera
39 families
(Barcelona 2002)
Buot (2006)

16. Fourty-nine (49) species are
Threatened
(Tan et al 1986, Madulid 2000)
logging
slash and b rn farming
burn
over collection
etc.
Buot (2006)

17. All the 26 endemic
Cyathea species are
vulnerable or potentially
endangered
(Madulid 2000)
Trunks of Cyathea
spp. harvested for
Ornamental Use
Buot (2006)

18. Cyathea croziers
y
harvested from Mt. Mayon
as Teddy bears
Lycopodium spp.
collected from the
ll t d
forests of Quezon Buot (2006)

19. Overcollection
of
Platycerium
coronarium
from the
wilderness of
ild
Quezon, Laguna,
Albay, etc
Buot (2006)

20. Why Conserve the ferns
and their allies?
allies?
Food
Ornamental
Medicine
Handicraft
etc.
(Zamora and Co 1986)
Buot (2006)

21. Philippine F h t
Phili i Freshwater &
Marine Fishes
by A.C. Alcala
Silliman University - Angelo King
Center for Research and Environmental Management
Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City

22. Freshwater Fishes
Flock of
result of explosive evolution of
Cyprinids
18 species
i
5 genera encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com
encyclopedia thefreedictionary com Cyprinus carpio
17 species in 4 genera are endemic
p g
-George Myers (1959)
Probably,
Probably only 34
3-4 species Exist!
A.C. Alcala (2006)

23. Phot by J Maypa & B Stockwell
TOP CARNIVOROUS
Marine Fi h
Fishes
69 species
tos
i
4 Families
Serranidae
Carangidae Lutjanidae Lethrinidae
A.C. Alcala (2006)

24. Photos by J Maypa
The top
M
carnivorous fish is
first to disappear and
last to appear
in exploited reefs
A.C. Alcala (2006)

25. The carrying capacity is probably reached for
Species richness
but not for Biomass.
30 35
Diversity
y Biomass
25 30
)
2
y = -0.0493x + 2.0024x + 3.0381
-2
25
Recovery is
2
00m
20 R = 0.9692
ies
No. of speci
B iomass (K g·50
20
slow and only when 15
15
protected. 10
2
10
5 y = 0.0781x - 0.0234x + 0.5005 5
2
R = 0.9777
ockwell
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Photos: J Maypa & B Sto
Years of Protection
Recovery of top carnivorous fish
in 4 F
Families in MPA
ili MPAs
:
(source: B Stockwell, APCRS 2006)
A.C. Alcala (2006)

26. The original species
g p richness before
intense exploitation is unknown.
MPAs are useful to
Photo by J Maypa
show patterns of
tt
b
h
recovery on
coral reefs only
-- slow, decades
A.C. Alcala (2006)

27. Philippine Amphibians
pp p
and Reptiles
by A C Alcala1
A.C. and A Diesmos2
A.
1Silliman University - Angelo King
Center for Research &
Environmental Management
E i t lM t
Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City
2NationalMuseum of the Philippines
Padre B
P d Burgos Ave., E it Manila
A Ermita, M il

28. ypa, E & A Alcala
J May
Estimated number of species of amphibians
in the Phili
Philippines
i
Amphibian # Species # in Forest
Caecilians 3 3 100.0 %
Frogs & Toads 99 84 84.9 %
TOTAL 102 87 85.3
85 3 %
More than 100 species, will increase with refinements
in systematics
t ti
7 Families, mostly Ranids & Rhacophorids
Up to 63% determined to be near threatened to
63% h d
endangered
AC Alcala & A Diesmos (2006)

29. Photo J Maypa
os:
Estimated number of species of reptiles
in the Phili
Philippines
i
Reptile # Species # in Forest
Lizards 107 82 76.6 %
Snakes 85 62 72.9 %
Turtles 3 2 66.7 %
Crocodiles 2 1 50.0 %
TOTAL 197 147 74.6 %
14 Families
Lizards & snakes are predominant
Species of sea snakes (H d hiid )
15 S i k (Hydrophiids)
are excluded
AC Alcala & A Diesmos (2006)

30. 85%
85% of the Amphibians and 75% of the Reptiles
are associated with Forests.
Photo by J Maypa
Amphibians
A hibi
- indicators of climate change
- 28 to 63% Threatened to Critically
63% y Endangered
g
Reptiles - Probably 30% Threatened to Endangered
30%
AC Alcala & A Diesmos (2006)

31. Photo J Maypa
os:
Our study in SW Negros shows 20% species
20%
locally extinct in 50-60 years
50-
(Alcala, E. al. 2004,
(Alcala E et al 2004 Environmental Conservation journal)
Key Activity for conservation:
Protected areas by local stakeholders
Role of l
large species of A hibi
Amphibians &
Reptiles: nutrient cycling, leather industry
p y g, y
AC Alcala & A Diesmos (2006)

32. Philippine Birds
by J.C. Gonzalez
Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences, and Museum of Natural History
University of the Philippines – Los Baños

33. Philippines is a global
hotspot for
AVIAN diversity and endemism.
ez
Photo by JC Gonzale
576 species
os
192 are endemic
(Collar et al., 1999)
JC Gonzalez (2006)

34. tos: JC Gonzalez
Phot
At least 5 new species recently described
Bukidonon Woodcock (Scolopax bukidnonensis)
Calayan Rail (Gallirallus calayanensis)
Camiguin Hanging Parrot (Loriculus camiguinensis)
Lina s
Lina’s Sunbird (Aethopyga linarabori)
Pygmy Frogmouth (Batrachostomus pygmaeus)
JC Gonzalez (2006)

35. tos: JC Gonzalez
Phot
Taxonomy of Philippine Birds
Divided into two groups
Morphological (Gill 1990)
Biochemical Systematics (Sibley & Monroe 1991)
Bi h i l S t ti
Checklist follows two sources
Kennedy et al., 2000 - 572 species
BirdLife International - 576 species
Bi dLif I t ti l i
JC Gonzalez (2006)

36. tos: JC Gonzalez
Phot
Threatened Philippine Bird Species
Year 1988 1994 1999 2006
Critical
C i i l 49 16 13 13
Endangered 32 13 12
Vulnerable 45 43 43
Data Deficient - 4 4
Near-
Near-threatened 40 48 49 56
Collar & BirdLife
SOURCE Andrew
Collar et al
al. Collar et al.
al
International
JC Gonzalez (2006)

37. Photos: JC Gonzalez
Extinct or Extirpated Birds
Some species are likely to be extinct, having not
been recorded for several years.
• Negros Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus arcanus)
Fruit-
-not seen since 1953
t
• Sulu Bleedingheart (Gallicolumba menagei)
-not seen since 1891
i
• Cebu Flowerpecker was reported extinct in
1901, but
1901 b t was rediscovered iin 1992
JC Gonzalez (2006)

38. otos: JC Gonzalez
Pho
Extinct or Extirpated Birds
Two subspecies are known to be
functionally extinct
f ti ll ti t
• Ticao Tarictic Hornbill
(Penelopides panini ticaensis)
• Si ij Hanging Parrot
Siquijor H i P t
(Loriculus philippensis siquijorensis)
JC Gonzalez (2006)

39. tos: JC Gonzalez
Phot
Major Threats
j
Photo by J Maypa
• Habitat loss & conversion
y
• D f
Deforestation
t ti
• Collection of secondary forest
products
• Large scale land conversion
• Encroachment of permanent &
f
shifting agriculture (kaingin)
• Hunting and Poaching
JC Gonzalez (2006)

40. tos: JC Gonzalez
Phot
Why conserve birds?
• rich avifauna and center for global
Exceptionally
avian endemism
• Biological indicators for diversity and
environmental health
• Keystone species and form large
congregations
ti
• Agents for both pollination and seed dispersal
and controlling pest populations
JC Gonzalez (2006)

41. Philippine M i
Phili i Marine
Mammals
by M.L. Dolar
Tropical Marine Research for Conservation
6363 Lakewood St., San Diego, California

42. Marine Mammals
Photos by L Dolar, B Pitman, WWF
,
Order Cetacea 26 species
Baleen Whales = 5
Toothed Whales/Dolphins = 21
Toothed Whales/Dolphins
Order Sirenia 1 species
All 26 are threatened!
threatened!
Sirenia Baleen Whales
ML Dolar (2006)

43. AllWhales & Dolphins are threatened by
fish nets ( ill nets, ring nets, d ift nets, etc)
(gill t i t drift t t )
often as by-catch of fishers
by-
ML Dolar (2006)

44. Rarest and Critically endangered!
g
Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)
• Only
O l 77 Animals iin 2000
• Major threat – 70% of 22,878
people iin Malampaya Sound
• Malampaya Sound –
Protected Seascape since 2000
rom WWF-Phil. Website
Fr .
Geographic distribution
ML Dolar (2006)

45. Rarest and Critically endangered!
g
Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)
Best population estimate: 77 animals (CV= 27.4%)
ML Dolar (2006)

46. Threats to the Irrawaddy dolphins
1. Burgeoning human population
– 27, 828 people, 70% are fishermen
, p p ,
– growth rate = 6.67% (birth & immigration)
2. Entanglement in fishing nets and
structures
3. Heavy boat traffic
4. Eutrophication
ML Dolar (2006)

47. SIRENIANS: Dugongs
g g
Note: IUCN Red Data List
whale-like
flukes (2000) Threatened
Species – vulnerable to
extinction at a global
g
scale
DENR Administrative
Order 55 (1991) –
p
protected dugongs in
g g
Philippine waters
Geographic Di t ib ti
G hi Distribution
ML Dolar (2006)

48. Threats to the Dugong Population
1. Fishing nets (e.g. crab nets, hulbot-hulbot)
hulbot-
2. Entrapment in fish pens
2 E t t
3. Blast fishing
g
4. Habitat degradation –
denudation of seagrass beds Hulbot-hulbot
Fish pen Dynamite casualty in 2004
ML Dolar (2006)

49. Philippine Land
Mammals
b E.L. Alcala1
by E L & B Tabaranza2
B.
1Silliman University-Angelo King
University-
Center for Research and Environmental Management
2/F SU Marine Lab., Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City, 6200
2Haribon Foundation, 140 Kalayaan Ave
Diliman, Quezon City

50. Land Mammals
179 species
111 are endemic
EL Alcala1 & B Tabaranza (2006)

51. Red List Mammals
Threatened Species
Families Species Endemic
Endangered Critical Vulnerable
12 49 45 15 7 27
Thehighest number of endangered
g g
species in terms of per-unit area
Thehighest number of new species
discovered
EL Alcala1 & B Tabaranza (2006)

52. Strategies for Conservation

53. Strategies for Conservation and for
Preventing Extinction
• Establish protected areas
• Prevent alien species introduction
• No introduction to new habitats
• Re-
Re introduction of llost species with
R -i d i i
safeguards

54. Strategies for Conservation and for
Preventing Extinction
• Re-introduction of lost
Re-
species with safeguards
• Preserve remnants of
original forest, etc
forest etc.
• inventory and
Practical
domestication of usefull
d i i f Philippine spotted
deer, fruit bat, and
plants Visayan warty pig
breeding facilities at
• Captive breeding Silliman University

55. Strategies for Conservation and for
Preventing Extinction
• Ecotourism Now!
Before
Pamilacan Island, Bohol

56. Summary & Conclusions

57. Summary of Conservation Status
Threatened to Critically
Taxonomic Species Endemic
Endangered as of 2006
Group Richness
Species % of total Species % of total
Plants 10,524 6,286 59.73 696 16.6
18, ca 4
Fish
still 17 94.1 4 100
(cyprinids)
existing(?)
Amphibians 102 76(?) ca 75 29(?) ca 28-63
28-
Reptiles
197 138(?) ca 70 40(?) ca 20%(?)
576
Birds 192 33% 128 22
Marine
M i
26 - - 26 (1) 100 (4)
Mammals
Land
179 111 ca 67.4% 49 27
Mammals
Note: Numbers for land vertebrates are approximate
Total of 1,054 land vertebrates in 30 million hectares of land, but new systematics
reveals there will be more additions to total about 1,100.

58. Summary & Conclusions
• ThePhilippines is indeed a country of very high
biodiversity in terms of species
y p
• “hot spot” because of high rates of habitat
But a
destruction & extinction
• 20% of amphibians and reptiles locally extinct
20%
in 50-
i 50-60 years due t forest destruction and
to d
fragmentation

59. Summary & Conclusions
• causes of decrease in abundance are heavy
Other
exploitation and hybridization with domestic
species, e.g. wild pig on N
i ild i Negros, crocodiles
dil
• Manyspecies of higher animals are threatened
due to alien species invasion, e.g. Cyprinids of
Lake Lanao
• Many plant species are threatened with extinction
for various reasons

60. Looking to the Future
g
“At the end of the day, in a more
democratic world, it will be the
world
ethics and desires of the
p p
people, not their leaders, who
give power to government and
the NGOs or take it away. They
will decide… and choose
ill d id d h
whether particular species will
live or die.”
die
- E.O. Wilson (2002)