Name: Oliver R. de Paz Submitted to: Dr. Teofanes A.

Patindol
Course & Year: BSF II Submitted on: March 06, 2020
FSci 124n
(Forest Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation)
Exercise No. 5

Philippines Biogeography

Introduction

The Philippines is a country of Southeast Asia, with its 7,107 islands strewn over the
Western Pacific Ocean, approximately 13 N of the equator and 122 E of Greenwich. Its
collective land area is about 300,000 sq. km, about the size of the state of Arizona. This
island archipelago is one of the most megadiverse countries in the world, housing over 5% of
the entire world’s flora in an area not even 1% of the world’s total. An estimated 10,000 to
11,000 species of plants are believed to occur in the Philippines and likely many more if the
tropical forests were fully explored and documented.

There are six terrestrial biogeographic regions of Philippines namely; greater Luzon,
greater Mindoro, greater Palawan, greater Negros-Panay, greater Mindanao, and greater Sulu
which these ecoregions have endemic floras and faunas.

Greater Luzon is located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island in the
Philippines and lies at the northern end of the island group, and based on the map it shows
the cream color. The lowland rain forests ecoregion comprises all the areas below 1,000 m on
Luzon and a few isolated volcanic mountains in the south of the island that exceed 1,000 m:
Mt. Maquiling, Mt. Banashaw, Mt. Isarog, Mayon Volcano, and Bulusan Volcano. The broad
Cagayan River valley to north is sheltered from typhoons lying between the two north-south
mountain ranges: the Cordillera Central in the west and the Sierra Madre to the east. The
fertile soil of the Cagayan Valley is the biggest rice-growing region in the country. Southern
Luzon is also agricultural but is subject to typhoons and comprises less area as Luzon
narrows southward. Several neighboring island groups are also part of the ecoregion,
including the Batanes and Babuyan Islands to the north (rather isolated but placed here for
convenience), Polillo and Catanduanes to the east, and Marinduque to southwest.
 Greater Palawan represents a bridge between the Sunda Shelf and Philippine
bioregions and contains faunal elements from both, as well as it own unique elements. This
ecoregion, though more intact than any other region in the Philippines, is under great pressure
from logging interests.

The Greater Negros-Panay Rain Forests ecoregion, including the Western Visayas
and parts of additional political regions, appears as a number of isolated islands, but during
the last ice ages these islands were for the most part of one continuous island. The islands
contain a unique mix of Sundaic and Philippine mammals and birds, including leopard cats
and endemic pigs and deer species. Sibuyan, a small mountainous island surrounded by deep
water, contains five endemic mammals and several restricted-range birds and nearly qualifies
as an ecoregion in itself. 

Mindanao island is the second largest after Luzon in the Philippines, in the southern
part of the archipelago, surrounded by the Bohol, Philippine, Celebes, and Sulu seas.
Irregularly shaped, it measures 293 miles (471 km) north to south and 324 miles (521 km)
east to west. The island is marked by peninsulas and is heavily indented by the Davao and
Moro gulfs in the south and by Iligan Bay in the north. The long, semicircular Zamboanga
Peninsula (west) extends southwesterly toward the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo, and the
Cotabato and Surigao peninsulas extend south and north, respectively.

Sulu archipelago is comprising hundreds of volcanic and coral islands and numerous
rocks and reefs in the southwestern Philippines. A double island chain, it extends 170 miles
(270 km) southwest from Basilan island off southwestern Mindanao and ends near the eastern
shores of Sabah (East Malaysia). The islands, the most important of which are Jolo, Tawi
Tawi, Sanga-Sanga, Sibutu, Siasi, and Cagayan Sulu, form a rampart between the Sulu
(northwest) and Celebes (southeast) seas. The islands are thickly forested, and their fertile
soils support some rice, cassava, coconuts, and fruit. Marine-based activities, however, are
the economic mainstay.

This exercise focuses on the ecoregion of greater Mindoro where endemic floras and
faunas can be found in this region. The island of Mindoro is called the dark island by
outsiders because of a virulent strain of malaria. Mindoro is located between the large islands
of Luzon and the Sunda-affiliated Palawan, and it shares faunal attributes of both islands.
However, Mindoro was isolated from Luzon and Palawan throughout the Pleistocene and
retains its own unique character, including an endemic water buffalo species (Heaney 1986).

This ecoregion includes the island of Mindoro and the Semirara Islands. The climate
of the ecoregion is tropical wet (National Geographic Society 1999). The western coast of
Mindoro experiences a wet season during the southwest monsoon of June to October and a
dry season during the November to February northeast monsoon because of the central
mountains (High Rolling Mountains) (Collins et al. 1991). The High Rolling Mountains
dominate the central portions of the island and rise to a maximum elevation of approximately
2,500 m at Mt. Halcon and Mt. Baco.

Mindoro along with Palawan and the Calamianes was rifted below water from the
Asian mainland approximately 32 million years ago, transported through seafloor spreading
across the growing South China Sea, added to the growing Philippine Archipelago
approximately 17 million years ago, and uplifted above water approximately 5-10 million
years ago (Hall and Holloway 1998; Dickinson, Kennedy, and Parkes 1991). Mindoro is
separated from Palawan to the south and Luzon to the north by deepwater channels and has
not been connected to those islands during the recent past (Pleistocene) (Heaney 1986).

Vegetation types on Mindoro include lowland evergreen rain forest to approximately

400 m or higher, open forest from about 650 to 1,000 m, and mossy forest above. Only small
patches remain of the lowland evergreen dipterocarp rain forest that would have dominated
the lowland eastern portions of the island. Semideciduous forest would have predominated on
the western half of the island. Limited stands of Mindoro pine (Pinus merkusii) are found at
elevations of 600 m or less in the northern portions of the island (Stattersfield et al. 1998;
Development Alternatives 1992).

Objectives

 To identify and describe the different bioregions in the Philippines.

 To identify and describe threatened endemic species of flora and fauna in Great
Mindoro based on DENR-DAO 2004-15 and DENR-DAO 2007-1.
 Threatened Endemic species of Fauna in Greater Mindoro based on DENR-
DAO
2004-15 and DENR-DAO 2007-1
 Mindoro Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba platenae)

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Columbiformes

Family: Columbidae

Scientific name: Gallicolumba platenae

Conservation Status (IUCN Red list category and criteria): Critically Endangered

Population Trend: Decreasing

Distribution and Habitat: Gallicolumba platenae is endemic to the island of Mindoro in the
Philippines, where there have been confirmed records from only four sites since 1980. These
localities are Puerto Galera, MUFRC Experimental Forest, Siburan and Mt Iglit-Baco
National Park, with unconfirmed local reports from eight other localities suggesting that
remnant populations conceivably exist elsewhere. It was common in the early 20th century
and apparently locally common as recently as 1954. Subsequently, unconfirmed reports
suggested it was common in the recent past in the extreme south of the island. However, the
paucity of reports from hunters and very low encounter rate by fieldworkers suggests that
numbers have become very low. The Mount Siburan IBA holds the largest remaining suitable
habitat for the species.
Ecology and Behavior: This predominantly terrestrial pigeon inhabits closed-canopy
primary and secondary lowland forest, preferring dry forest substrates on gentle slopes up to
750 m. It is not known whether or not it undertakes altitudinal, seasonal or nomadic
movements. It has been recorded breeding in May. In Mt. Siburan IBA, the species has been
recorded in various habitats: (1) in an open area of the forest floor under closed canopy forest
surrounded with limestone outcrops and boulders, (2) in bamboo thickets with numerous
rattans, bounded by primary closed canopy forest, (3) close to a pool in a dry riverbed in
closed-canopy forest on flatter, less rocky ground, (4) in shady, level forest with minimal
rocky outcrops. These sites were classified as secondary lowland growth forest with varying
degrees of canopy gap and human disturbance (Haribon Foundation in litt. 2009).

Conservation Issues: Lowland forest destruction has eradicated almost all of this bird's
habitat. In 1988, just 120 km2 of forest remained on Mindoro, only 25% of which was
closed-canopy. At current rates of loss, the island may lose all primary forest below 900 m
within a few years. The forests at Siburan and Mt Iglit-Baco National Park are threatened by
encroaching shifting cultivation and occasional selective logging. Rattan collection further
disturbs the forest undergrowth. Dynamite-blasting for marble is a threat to forest at Puerto
Galera. On Mt. Siburan, clearing for agriculture and slash-and-burn farming was the main
cause of forest fragmentation. Ground surveys have shown an open patch of land to be a
slash-and-burn farm owned by indigenous people called the Batangan, a sub-tribe of the
Mangyan ethnic group. Hunting (using snares) for food and collection for the pet trade are
additional threats, particularly during the dry season (February-May). Recent surveys have
shown that during the rainy season, Mangyan-Batangan indigenous people set hundreds of
ground traps intended for the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and other ground birds, small
mammals and reptiles (Haribon Foundation in litt. 2009). These ground traps have
accidentally caught Gallicolumba platenae (B. Tabaranza in litt. 2008, Haribon Foundation in
litt. 2009).

 Threatened Endemic species of Flora in Greater Mindoro based on DENR-DAO

2004-15 and DENR-DAO 2007-1
 Mangifera monandra

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Sapindales

Family: Anarcardiaceae

Scientific name: Mangifera monandra

Conservation Status (IUCN Red list category and criteria): Endangered

Population Trend: Decreasing

Distribution and Habitat: A plant of the moist tropical lowlands. It is found in areas where
there is year-round rainfall.

Ecology and Behavior: Mangifera monandra is a large evergreen tree. The straight bole can
be free branches for 15-20 meters up to 120 cm in diameter and free of buttresses.

Conservation Issues: The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood which is used locally
and also traded.
 A. What is biogeographic realm? Describe the eight biogeographic realms of the
world.

Biogeographic realm refers to an area of land with relatively similar living organisms and
each realm corresponds to a distinct evolutionary history and contain multiple biomes, but
those biomes may biologically differ from similar biomes in different biogeographic realms
(Miklos Udvardy,1975).

The eight biogeographic realms are as follows:

 Antarctic Biogeographic Realm

The Antarctic biogeographic realm covers a total area of 0.12 million square miles,
making it the smallest of all the realms. The Antarctic biogeographic region is located in the
Southern Ocean and is comprised of the area surrounding the South Pole, including:
Antarctica, the islands above the Antarctic tectonic plate, the ice in the waters, and the ocean
itself. This realm is home to plant species such as: lichens, mosses, Antarctic hair grass, and
microfungis. Additionally, some animal species may be found here, depending on the time of
year. These animal species include: penguins, whales, squid, albatross, seals, and Antarctic
petrels.

 Oceania Biogeographic Realm

The Oceania biogeographic realm covers a total area of 0.39 million square miles, making
it the second smallest of all the realms. The Oceania biogeographic region is located in the
Pacific Ocean, in a region referred to as Asia Pacific. It is comprised of a number of islands,
including: the US state of Hawaii, a part of Japan, the Juan Fernandez Islands, the Cocos
Islands, and the Campbell islands. Geographically, Oceania is known for its large amounts of
coral reef, the most famous of which is the Great Barrier Reef because of the isolated nature
of the islands within this realm, each location has very unique plant and animal life.

 Indo-Malayan Biogeographic Realm

The Indo-Malayan biogeographic realm stretches across the southern reaches of East
Asia, the greater part of South Asia, and the area known as Southeast Asia. It covers a total
area of 2.9 million square miles, which includes: the Indian subcontinent, parts of southern
China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This realm is primarily covered in tropical and
subtropical forests that have been further divided into 3 bioregions: Indochina, Indian
subcontinent, and Munda Shelf and the Philippines. The Indo-Malayan biogeographic realm
is home to a number of endemic species, both plant and animal. Some examples of endemic
species found here include: fairy bluebirds, gibbons, treeshrews, Kitti’s long-nosed bat, and
Philippine creepers. Other large mammals that can be found in the Indo-Malayan realm are
the leopard, tiger, orangutang, Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, and water buffalo.

 Australasian Biogeographic Realm

The Australasian biogeographic realm covers a total area of 2.9 million square miles,
making it the same size as the Indo-Malayan realm. It includes New Guinea, New Zealand,
Tasmania, Australia, and the eastern region of the Indonesian archipelago. Australia is
considered the most environmentally diverse country within this realm as it is made up of
desert, rainforest, grasslands, and mountains. The Australasian realm sits between the
Antarctic realm and the Indo-Malayan realm; it is separated from the Asia realm by the
Wallace Line. Because of this position, some of the plant and animal species of this realm can
also be found in the Indo-Malayan and Antarctic realms as well.

 Neotropical Biogeographic Realm

The Neotropical biogeographic realm covers an entire area of 7.3 million square miles
and is made up of the tropical regions of the Americas. It includes all of South America,
Central America, the Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the southern region of the
US state of Florida, and a small part of the southern tip of the US state of Texas. The plant
and animal species of this realm are distinct from those found in North America, which is
why the two regions are characterized separately. This difference in species occurred because
of the two realms were physically separated until between 2 and 3 million years ago.
Interestingly, the Neotropical biogeographic realm has more tropical rainforest coverage than
any other realm.

 Afrotropical Biogeographic Realm

The Afrotropical realm covers a total area of 8.5 million square miles and is made up of
southwestern Pakistan, southern Iran, the southern regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the area
south of the Sahara Desert in Africa, the island of Madagascar, and the islands in the western
part of the Indian Ocean. The majority of this realm has a tropical climate, although it is
diverse in ecological habitats, including: deserts, highlands, savannahs, and forests (coastal,
montane, and lowland).

 Nearctic Biogeographic Realm

The Nearctic biogeographic realm covers a total area of 8.8 million square miles, making
it the second largest of all the realms. It encompasses the US (including most of Texas and
northern Florida), Canada, Greenland, and the highland regions of Mexico. This realm is
further divided into 4 ecological regions including: eastern, western, southwestern (which
includes the northern part of Mexico), and the Canadian Shield. Each of these regions has
distinct environmental habitats that support a diverse range of plant and animal species.
Animal families that originated and continue to thrive in this realm include: canines (dogs,
wolves, coyotes), equine (horses and donkeys), and antelopes. Some of the animal families
that originated here are now extinct, although their relatives inhabit the Neotropical realm.

 Palearctic Biogeographic Realm

The Palearctic biogeographic realm covers a total area of 20.9 million square, making it
the largest of all the realms. It is made up of the area north of the Saharan Desert in Africa,
the area north of the Himalayan Mountains in Asia, the northern region of the Arabian
Peninsula, and the entire area of Europe. It is further divided into 7 ecoregions, which contain
boreal forests, Mediterranean climates, coastal deserts, river basins, and mountainous terrain.
The Palearctic is home to several endemic animal families, including: red pandas, mouse-like
hamsters, and accentor birds.

B. Why it is necessary to study biogeography?

According to an article of Amanda Briney in ThoughtCo. it is necessary to study

biogeography because it is the study of the past and present distribution of the world's many
animal and plant species and is usually considered to be a part of physical geography as it
often relates to the examination of the physical environment and how it affected species and
shaped their distribution across the world. Biogeography also includes the study of the
world's biomes and taxonomy, the naming of species and has strong ties to biology, ecology,
evolution studies, climatology, and soil science as they relate to animal populations and the
factors that allow them to flourish in particular regions of the globe. The field of
biogeography can further be broken down into specific studies related to animal populations
include historical, ecological, and conservation biogeography and include both
phytogeography (the past and present distribution of plants) and zoogeography (the past and
present distribution of animal species).

And most importantly is important to study biogeography because it gives us learning and
knowledge of what are the distribution of faunas and floras and how they are distributed
around the world and the factors that contributed of having ecoregions all over the world.

References:

https://www.iucnredlist.org.10.2305_IUCN.UK.20163.RLTS.T22690985A93298156.en.pdf

https://www.iucnredlist.org.10.2305_IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T31404A9630812.en.pdf

https://www.worldwildlifefund.com/Mindoro%20%20%20Ecoregions
%20%20%20WWF.htm

https://worldwildlifefund.com/Forest%20Wildlife/Philippines%20%20Islands%20of
%20Palawan,%20Balabac,%20Ursula,%20and%20the%20Calamain%20Group
%20%20%20Ecoregions%20%20%20WeWF.htm

https://worldwildlifefund.com/Forest%20Wildlife/Southeastern%20Asia
%20%20Philippines%20%20%20Ecoregions
%20%20%20WWF.htmhttps://worldwildlifefund.com/Forest%20Wildlife/Biogeography
%20%20The%20Study%20of%20Global%20Species%20Distribution.htm

https://worldwildlifefund.com/Forest%20Wildlife/Luzon%20-%20Wikipedia.htm

https://www.worldatlas.comWhat%20Are%20TheEight%20Biogeographic
%20Realms%20%20-%20WorldAtlas.com.htm

https://www.worldatlas.com/Biogeographic%20Realms.htm