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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Biliran (55,542 ha) lies about three kilometres off the northern tip of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas. Both Biliran and the adjacent small island of Maripipi (3,171 ha) are mountainous, rising to 1,320 and 924 m respectively. About 48% or 26,870 ha of the two islands are classified as timberland, mainly in the central parts of both islands. However, all areas below 500 m have been cleared for agriculture, and it was recently estimated that less than 10% of Biliran and 15-20% of Maripipi remains covered by primary or lightly disturbed forest. This includes lowland forest on the lower slopes of the hills, and montane forest, including mossy forest, around the higher peaks.
The Asug Forest Reserve lies 10 km south of Caibiran on Biliran. The elevation there ranges from 300-1,266 m, and forest covers 77.7% of the area. It is a tourist destination, because of the picturesque and clear waters of Tomalistic Falls. Private investors are proposing to build a mineral water bottling plant to tap this water. The forested interior of Biliran is an important watershed.
Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded on Biliran, including Samar Hornbill, which is endemic to the Eastern Visayas, and the poorly known Miniature Tit-babbler. The forests there may prove to support important populations of these and other birds of conservation concern.
Non-bird biodiversity: A survey in 1987 recorded 30 indigenous species of land mammals on Biliran and 25 on Maripipi. These include the rare Philippine Nectar Bat Eonycteris robusta on both Biliran and Maripipi Islands, and the vulnerable Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox Pteropus pumilus.
Biliran (55,542 ha) lies about three kilometres off the northern tip of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas. Both Biliran and the adjacent small island of Maripipi (3,171 ha) are mountainous, rising to 1,320 and 924 m respectively. About 48% or 26,870 ha of the two islands are classified as timberland, mainly in the central parts of both islands. However, all areas below 500 m have been cleared for agriculture, and it was recently estimated that less than 10% of Biliran and 15-20% of Maripipi remains covered by primary or lightly disturbed forest. This includes lowland forest on the lower slopes of the hills, and montane forest, including mossy forest, around the higher peaks.
The Asug Forest Reserve lies 10 km south of Caibiran on Biliran. The elevation there ranges from 300-1,266 m, and forest covers 77.7% of the area. It is a tourist destination, because of the picturesque and clear waters of Tomalistic Falls. Private investors are proposing to build a mineral water bottling plant to tap this water. The forested interior of Biliran is an important watershed.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The remaining forests on Biliran and Maripipi are under pressure from an increasing population, although on Maripipi the steep mountain slopes appear to provide some natural protection. Illegal logging is reported to be a major problem.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
A reforestation project on Biliran Island covers 2,875 ha and there is also a 302-ha plantation forest. Unfortunately, these are mainly planted with exotic species (mahogany Swietenia macrophylla, gmelina Gmelina arborea and acacia Acacia mangium), that are of limited value to the native wildlife or to watershed protection.
Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats, and whether it supports important populations of threatened and restricted-range birds.
Biliran and Maripipi are not currently officially protected. However, part of the IBA, the Asug Forest Reserve (1,286 ha) in Caibiran on Biliran, is proposed for inclusion under the NIPAS in the Protected Landscape category.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Biliran and Maripipi Island (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/biliran-and-maripipi-island-iba-philippines on 22/11/2024.
