NRCP: Siargao is home to hundreds of fauna, flora
Not only a surfing capital of the philippines
There is more to Siargao Island than its being named as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. It is recorded to be a home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna—another proof that the Philippines surely has a rich diversified ecosystem.
The municipality of Del Carmen alone has recorded a total of 110 species of plants and 403 species of animals from the aquatic and terrestrial habitats, said a news release from the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).
A study conducted by members of the Division V (Biological Sciences) of NRCP, led by Dr. Cecilia Banag-moran, has found remarkable plant and beach forest species.
The study also discovered that there are possible new species of frog, rat, tarsier, insects, marine fish and decapod crustaceans in Del Carmen, Siargao.
“With this rich diversity, a move for the global importance of Del Carmen, Siargao, should be considered for its conservation and sustainability,” the news release said.
Consider these identified species of animals: 11 amphibians, 14 mammals, 23 reptiles, 52 birds, and 81 marine fish.
What’s more, it was found that nine species of plants and 34 species of terrestrial vertebrates are endemic to the Philippines.
In addition to this, 45 species of plants and 17 species of terrestrial vertebrates are not yet assessed for their conservation status.
Also, according to the NRCP study, the amphibians and reptiles in mangroves and surrounding habitats are in excellent condition, which prompted the project researchers to recommend for the need to place protection measures in the area.
On the other hand, the highly diverse Del Carmen mangrove forest is home of interesting species, host to unique floral assemblages, and haven of high floral diversity.
According to the study, out of the 54 mangrove species in the world, Del Carmen has 19, or 35.19 percent, of the world species.
“There is also a remarkable record of new 90 species of marine flora, thus, the need for continuance of correct and diversified mangrove planting,” the NRCP said.
Overall, “this data will support the request for Del Carmen, Siargao, to be listed as new Ramsar Site in the Philippines,” it added. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands’s primary aim is to conserve and sustain the utilization of wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971.
The accord also seeks to recognize the significant ecological roles played by the wetlands and their scientific, recreational, cultural, and economic significance.
To date, there are six wetland habitats in the Philippines that have been designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
The presence of a threatened and endemic flora and fauna and possible new species, aside from the high diversity in the area is sufficient support for the Del Carmen Mangrove Forest to be listed under Ramsar for its long term conservation and sustainable utilization, the NRCP said.
Besides the move to consider Del Carmen as a new Ramsar site, the project recommends for policy conservation and protection of Siargao ecosystems and its biodiversity resources.
The study was under the Saklaw (Saklolo sa Lawa—sustainable Communities) of the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (Nibra) initiative of the NRCP.
It was conducted, in response to Siargao local government unit’s request for scientific evidence to support their bid for Ramsar.
The study assessed the biodiversity of the mangrove forests in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, through biological field surveys
A three-pager Photoguide of the Birds of Del Carmen Siargao has been produced under the study.
The comprehensive results of the project were presented by the researchers during the stakeholders meeting, which was attended by the heads of the municipality of Del Carmen, Mayor Proserfina M. Coro and Vice Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II, on January 6 via online, the NRCP said.