Philippines      PDF  | Print |  Email

philflagBiodiversity Resources

  • 15,000 plant species
  • 179 species of land mammals
  • 105 species of amphibians
  • 258 species of reptiles
  • 576 species of birds
  • 77 mangroves and assorted species
  • 1,062 species of seaweeds
  • 16 species of seagrasses
  • 2,500 species of reef fishes
  • 430 species of corals
  • 5 species of marine turtles
  • 25 species of marine mammals

Ratification of MEAs

  • CBD – 1993
  • CITES – 1981
  • Ramsar Convention – 1994
  • WHC – 1985
  • Cartagena Protocol – 2007

Description

The most threatened endemic mammal is the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) while the most threatened endemic bird is the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).

The Philippines is one of the top ten countries in the world in terms of species richness, diversity and endemism, developed through a complex mix of ecosystem and habitat types, attributed to varying exposures to shifting winds and typhoons, great heights of numerous mountains and peculiar distribution of rainfall.  Unfortunately, the Philippines also ranks high in terms of biodiversity loss, both due to natural and man-made causes.  From an estimated 28 million hectares (93.3% of total landmass) in 1575, Philippine forest cover has been reduced to 2% as of 1992 due to unregulated logging and conversion of forests to agricultural land.  Coral reefs are constantly threatened by sedimentation, pollution (from upland and coastal developments), illegal and destructive fishing methods, and a rapidly growing population.  Of 27,000 kms of coral reefs (54% of the world’s circumference!), only 5% is still in pristine condition.  Mangrove cover of about 450,000 ha in 1920 is now less than 140,000 ha, as a result of shrimp farming and urban development.  Wetlands, on the other hand, take much toll from chemical, industrial and household wastes, mine tailings, fertilizers and pesticide run-offs.  These developments have been at the expense of species endemic to the country.  To date, 491 species from the Philippines are listed in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Endangered bird species include the Visayan wrinkled hornbill, the Philippine cockatoo and the Cebu flowerpecker.  

Other significant species include the smallest raptor, the Philippine falconet, and, newly discovered on Babuyan Island, the flightless Calayan rail.   Another unique species is the Taal sea snake, the world’s only sea snake that knows how to adapt to life in a freshwater lake.


Protected Areas

The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is tasked with protecting the quality of the environment and ensuring the conservation and management of the country’s environment and natural resources.  PAWB also serves as the NCP of ACB.  The National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS) Law or RA 7586 provides for the establishment and management of a comprehensive protected areas system encompassing remarkably outstanding areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of various species.   To date, a total of 3.2 million hectares have been declared as protected areas (1.6M hectares are terrestrial; 1.6 million hectares are marine).

 

 

Sources:

  • Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.  Philippines:  Third National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.