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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Catanduanes is an island of 182,300 ha which lies about 10 km off the tip of the Caramoan Peninsula in southern Luzon. The terrain on the island is hilly, particularly in the central portion, but the highest point only reaches just over 800 m. The substantial forests which remain in central Catanduanes are therefore all lowland dipterocarp in type, and are the largest remaining forest block in the whole of the Bicol Region. Forest is found above 490 m, and is estimated to cover a total of about 69,770 ha. It includes considerable areas of old growth dipterocarp forest (reported in 1997 to cover 5,876 ha), and closed-canopy forest in areas that show evidence of having been logged.
These forest areas are the source of water for Catanduanes Province. One hydropower project is currently operational, that supplies power to urban areas of the island. The forest areas were proclamation as a Watershed Reserve in 1987 because of these important functions. The whole area is state-owned.
Many of the threatened and restricted-range birds of the Luzon Endemic Bird Area have been recorded on Catanduanes. Extensive lowland forests are reported to remain there, so it could support important populations of many of these birds. This is one of the few islands near Luzon where there has been a relatively recent record of Philippine Cockatoo, and Cream-bellied Fruit-dove appears to be particularly numerous there. Two of the restricted-range species are represented on Catanduanes by endemic subspecies, Luzon Bleeding-heart G. l. rubiventris and Grey-backed Tailorbird O. d. nilesi.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals recorded in this IBA include endemic species such as Philippine Nectar Bat Eonycteris robusta, Large Rufous Horsesheo Bat Rhinolophus rufus, Mottle-winged Flying Fox Pteropus leucopterus, Southern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat Phloeomys cumingi, Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippensis and Philippine Brown Deer Cervus mariannus.
The area also harbors a significant number of endemic amphibians and reptiles including the Truncate-toed Chorus Frog Kaloula conjuncta, Rough-backed Forest Frog Platymantis corrugatus, Common Forest Frog Platymantis dorsalis, Giant Philippine Frog Rana magna, Woodworth’s Frog R. woodworthi, Mindoro Narrow-disked Gecko Gekko mindorensis, Philippine Calotes Calotes marmoratus, Common Flying Lizard Draco spilopterus, Common Burrowing Skink Brachymeles boulengeri, Two-digit Worm Skink Brachymeles samarensis, Northern Keel-scaled Tree Skink Dasia grisea, Yellow-striped Slender Tree Skink Lipinia pulchellum, Jagor’s Sphenomorphus Sphenomorphus jagori, Steere’s Sphenomorphus S. steerei, Black-Sided Sphenomorphus S. decipiens, Dog-faced Water Snake Cerberus rynchops, Philippine Cylindrical Snake Hologerrhum philippinum and Smooth-scaled Mountain Rat Snake Zaocys luzonensis. Globally threatened species, such as the Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus, the Endemic Sailfin Water Lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus and Gray’s Monitor Lizard Varanus olivaceus) were also recorded in the area, and particularly noteworthy is the Catanduanes Narrow-mouthed Frog Kaloula kokacii, which is known to occur only on Catanduanes Island. Threatened marine turtles also occur in this IBA, such as the endangered Green Turtle Chelonia mydas and Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea.
Catanduanes is an island of 182,300 ha which lies about 10 km off the tip of the Caramoan Peninsula in southern Luzon. The terrain on the island is hilly, particularly in the central portion, but the highest point only reaches just over 800 m. The substantial forests which remain in central Catanduanes are therefore all lowland dipterocarp in type, and are the largest remaining forest block in the whole of the Bicol Region. Forest is found above 490 m, and is estimated to cover a total of about 69,770 ha. It includes considerable areas of old growth dipterocarp forest (reported in 1997 to cover 5,876 ha), and closed-canopy forest in areas that show evidence of having been logged.
These forest areas are the source of water for Catanduanes Province. One hydropower project is currently operational, that supplies power to urban areas of the island. The forest areas were proclamation as a Watershed Reserve in 1987 because of these important functions. The whole area is state-owned.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
In the past, there was little evidence of timber extraction and kaingin in the forested areas of this IBA, probably a result of the local forest protection program and the low population density in the province. However, the human population of Catanduanes is increasing, which is putting pressure on natural habitats. There is evidence that people are moving into forested areas, leading to uncontrolled kaingin, land conversion, illegal cutting of trees and forest fires. As a result there has been an increased occurrence of soil erosion, landslides and siltation in some major river systems. There is also large-scale collection of forest products, hunting and pollution from household waste. Typhoon Rosing is reported to have damaged (at least temporarily) areas of natural habitat on Catanduanes in 1995.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Past conservation efforts in the area included Integrated Social Forestry programs, Reforestation Projects and Community Forest Projects (CFP) handled by LGU’s, the DENR, local NGOs and local communities. Contract reforestation of denuded areas and watershed rehabilitation programs are being planned. An Initial Protected Area Plan (IPAP) has been drafted for the site. A Rapid Resource Inventory has been completed within the proposed area as part of the PASA activities, which found that many important species are relatively abundant there. The floral inventory found several important species of trees in substantial quantity. It was therefore recommended that conservation and protection should be considered as a major concern in the management of this area.
In response to the threats to this area and in consideration of the unique biodiversity found there, the local government from the barangay to the provincial level, as well as local NGO’s, have officially requested the National Government to include the Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve in the NIPAS and declare it a protected area. This campaign started in February 1997.
Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats and the current status of the threatened and restricted-range birds and other biodiversity.
The Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve was declared through Proclamation No. 123 in 1987, and covers 26,010 ha. It is proposed as a Natural Park (see Conservation issues below) with an expanded protected area of 49,000 ha.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/catanduanes-watershed-forest-reserve-iba-philippines on 22/11/2024.
