Republic of the Philippines

Bicol University
INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
East Campus, Legazpi City, Albay 4500
A.Y. 2022-2023

GEC Elective 21.2: People and the Earth’s Ecosystem

PHILIPPINES AS A MEGADIVERSE COUNTRY
Midterm Output: Infographic and summary
BS Architecture 5B

For a country to be labeled as a megadiverse, it must exhibit a great level of biodiversity

and contain at least one of the following characteristics: Ideal geographic position, Diversity
of soil and climate, Large in size, Crossroads of biogeographic regions, and Richness of
culture (according to Group of Similar Mega-diverse Countries). The Philippines is considered
one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world; its geographical isolation, various
ecosystems, and high rates of endemism account for two-thirds of the world's biodiversity and
70% to 80% of its plant and animal species. Moreover, the country is known as home to 52,177
identified species, with 50% or more estimated to be indigenous.

Furthermore, the country was recognized by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) as
a part of the planet’s richest center of marine life and coral diversity, or the Coral Triangle. This
also explains why the Philippines ranked 3rd in terms of marine biodiversity with two
hundred eighty identified inland fish, where more than sixty-five of these are considered
to be endemic. One of these is the Sillago argentifasciata (Silver-banded sillago) which can
be found on Lumbucan Island, Palawan. The Philippines’s rich biodiversity is not just limited to
fish. This is evident as the country ranked 4th in bird endemism having a projected seven
hundred and thirty-six bird species of which 249 of these are endemic, 181 are resident,
131 are migratory, 118 are accidental occurrence, 29 are resident or migratory, 10 are not
endemic, 2 vagrant, 3 extirpated, and 6 species which status are unknown. An example is
the Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica). Based on the data provided by the DENR as of the year
2019, this specie can be found in the provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Lubang,
Luzon, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Panay, Polillo, Samar, Sibuyan,
Siquijor, and Ticao. As the Philippines derived a large benefit from the ecosystem. These
services will not be possible without the role of other species such as mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, and insects. The number of identified mammals in the country is estimated to be two
hundred seven with 135 considered to be endemic, 67 residents, and 5 as introduced
species. This includes the Tamaraw (Bubalus Mindorensis), a well-known buffalo-like
mammal that can only be found in Mindoro. There are also an estimated one hundred
eighteen amphibians in the country. This consists of 96 species that are considered to be
endemic, 5 introduced, and 17 of these are resident. The Philippine Flat-headed Frog
(Barbourula busuangensis) is an example of this. A large, heavy-bodied, highly aquatic frog
found in the fast-moving waters of mountain streams on the Philippine islands of Busuanga and
Palawan. The country is also home to the Marbled crested lizard (Bronchocela marmorata)
or marbled agamid lizard. This is only one of the projected three hundred and fifty-four
reptiles in the country (246 are endemic, 3 are introduced, 5 are migratory, and 100 are
considered resident). These three hundred and fifty-four identified reptiles are further classified
into 5 categories with their corresponding numbers: Critically Endangered (5), Endangered
(5), Vulnerable (3), Threatened (35), and Species with Insufficient Information (305). Aside
from that, the Philippines also accounts for about seventy percent endemic of nearly
twenty-one thousand insect species and three hundred five endemics out of nine
hundred fifteen butterflies. Some examples of these are the Magellan birdwing butterfly
(Troides Magellanus), Attacus Lorquinii, Calomera Lacrymosa. There are also more than
fifty species of freshwater crabs that are recognized as endemic. This includes the Palawan
Purple Crab (Insulamon Plawanese), which was found on the island of Palawan.

The Philippines exhibits its rich and unique biodiversity not just in terms of fauna but flora as
well, as it accounts for up to 5% of the world’s flora with an estimated nine hundred
eighty-four species, including seven hundred forty-one endemic species, and two
hundred forty-three that are indigenous, making it the 5th place in terms of plant species.
Moreover, these identified 984 plant species consisting of 180 Critically Endangered, 255
Endangered, 145 Threatened, 404 Vulnerable, and 1 with Insufficient Data. The Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recognized Philippine Teak (Tectona
philippinensis) as endemic species of the Philippines and is considered to be very important as
it is one of the only three species that belong to the genus Tectona which includes the
commercial teak (Tectona grandis) and the molave (Vitex parviflora). It is found in the
municipalities of Lobo and San Juan in Batangas province. It is also found in barangay
Katayungan and Baclayon, Iling Island, Occidental Mindoro and Mt. Makiling, Laguna. Another
example is the Attenborough's Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes attenboroughii), a carnivorous pitcher
plant native to the Victoria massif of Palawan. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) classifies
the plant as critically endangered for its restricted distribution and plant poaching.

Aside from its species richness, the Philippines’ unique biodiversity is also supported by various
ranges of ecosystems, landscapes, and habitats, which are now under threat from human
activities. Forest ecosystems cover 7.2 million hectares of the country, accounting for over
a quarter of the country’s total land area. Unfortunately, it is estimated that the country is
losing 2.1% of its forest cover each year, which is considered to be the second-fastest
deforestation rate in South-East Asia, and ninth fastest in the world. The country is also
notable for its agricultural ecosystem, however, it is now on the decline due conversion of these
agricultural lands into housing areas. But, these events do not end in inland areas as bodies of
water follow the same track. The decline in water quality and biodiversity in the country is at its
worst as exhibited by Laguna de Bay and its associated rivers.

Therefore, this infographic shows that numerous species dwell in the country, making it one of
the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. These species, whether flora or fauna, have
significant key roles in the ecosystem which makes them important and must be protected to
maintain the function of regulation in the ecosystem as humanity relies so much on its resources
and services it offers. This campaign infographic is to spread awareness about these species
and that people must understand to protect them.
References:

RISE Volume 29 No. 1 - Philippine Teak (Tectona philippinensis Benth. & Hook. f.) - Ecosystems
Research and Development Bureau - DENR. (2017, May 29). Ecosystems Research and
Development Bureau - DENR. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from
https://erdb.denr.gov.ph/2017/11/07/volume-29-no-1-philippine-teak-tectona-philippinensis-benth
-hook-f/
AmphibiaWeb - Barbourula busuangensis. (n.d.). AmphibiaWeb - Barbourula Busuangensis.
Retrieved from https://amphibiaweb.org/species/2038

L. (2020, October 23). Philippine Wildlife: Endemic and Endangered Species in the Philippines.
Kapwa Travel. Retrieved from
https://kapwatravel.com/blog/philippine-wildlife-endemic-and-endangered-species-in-the-philippi
nes/

Silver-banded Sillago-Encyclopedia of Life. (n.d.). Silver-banded Sillago-Encyclopedia of Life.

Retrieved from https://eol.org/pages/46579890

Silver-banded whiting - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Silver-banded Whiting - Wikipedia. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver-banded_whiting

Future Learn. (2022, January 21). Endangered species in the Philippines - causes and
conservation - FutureLearn. FutureLearn. Retrieved from
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/futurelearn-international/endangered-species-philippines#The_
Philippines_ecosystem

Philippines - Species | CEPF. (n.d.). Philippines - Species | CEPF. Retrieved from

https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/philippines/species

Biodiversity Philippine Clearing House Mechanism. (2019, January 31). Philippine Clearing
House Mechanism. Retrieved from http://www.philchm.ph/status-of-philippine-biodiversity-2/

CORPORATIVA, I. (n.d.). Conservation of Megadiverse Countries - Iberdrola. Iberdrola.

Retrieved from https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/megadiverse-countries

Group Members:

BAÑAS, Sofia Nicole T.

BARAGA, Joanna Mae C.
BULAWAN, John Kristel R.
DE VILLA, John Albert M.
OPERIO, Mia Francine S.
RAZON, Mikaela Francesca S..