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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Kalatungan Mountain range lies to the south of the Mt Kitanglad range (PH094). Mt Kalatungan is one of the highest mountains in the Philippines, reaching 2,824 m. The forests in the Kalatungan Mountains include limited areas of lowland residual evergreen forest at c.1,000 m, extensive areas of lower montane forest, and upper montane (mossy) forest from c.2,500 m up to the peaks. Old growth forest is estimated to cover c.14,911 ha, brushland or open-canopy forest covers c.2,130 ha, and grassland (parang) covers c.3,295 ha. There are numerous rivers and waterfalls, a lake and small wetland area, cliffs, caves and rock formations that also provide habitats for wildlife.
The indigenous Manobo and Talaandig tribes (generally called the Bukidnons) live in the forest. They consider the forests holy and use them as a burial ground. These tribes live in and depend on the forest for food and medicine, and only hunt in certain seasons. A mini-hydroelectric power plant at Camp 1 in Maramag, Bukidnon provides power to Central and Southern Bukidnon.
The threatened Philippine Eagle and Philippine Hawk-eagle have both been recorded recently in the Kalatungan Mountains. Extensive areas of montane forest remain there, and the avifauna may prove to be similar to that in the nearby Mt Kitanglad range (PH094), with populations of many of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area.
Non-bird biodiversity: Small populations of the endangered flying fox Acerodon jubatus, Mindanao Pygmy Fruit Bat Alionycteris paucidentata, which is endemic to this IBA and Mt Kitanglad, Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippinensis and Philippine Brown Deer Cervus mariannus survive in this IBA. Five dominant endemic tree species are present, Katmon Dillenia philippinensis, White Lauan Shorea contorta, Red Lauan Shorea negrosensis, Bagtikan Parashorea malaanonan and Bikal Baboi Schizotachyum dielsianum. The highly threatened Almaciga sp., the collection and cutting of which is banned, can be found in the forest.
The Kalatungan Mountain range lies to the south of the Mt Kitanglad range (PH094). Mt Kalatungan is one of the highest mountains in the Philippines, reaching 2,824 m. The forests in the Kalatungan Mountains include limited areas of lowland residual evergreen forest at c.1,000 m, extensive areas of lower montane forest, and upper montane (mossy) forest from c.2,500 m up to the peaks. Old growth forest is estimated to cover c.14,911 ha, brushland or open-canopy forest covers c.2,130 ha, and grassland (parang) covers c.3,295 ha. There are numerous rivers and waterfalls, a lake and small wetland area, cliffs, caves and rock formations that also provide habitats for wildlife.
The indigenous Manobo and Talaandig tribes (generally called the Bukidnons) live in the forest. They consider the forests holy and use them as a burial ground. These tribes live in and depend on the forest for food and medicine, and only hunt in certain seasons. A mini-hydroelectric power plant at Camp 1 in Maramag, Bukidnon provides power to Central and Southern Bukidnon.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Pressures on the habitats and wildlife in the Kalatungan Mountains include kaingin, forest fires, and the exploitation of forest products (e.g. rattan) and unregulated wildlife hunting. The most destructive of these is the conversion of forest into agricultural land and the introduction of cash crops. In addition to the ethnic Manobo and Talaandig tribes, Boholanos and Cebuanos from the Visayas have settled into the area by renting or buying land.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Several studies have reportedly been conducted at this site by universities and the DENR. Various NGOs, conservation and mountaineering groups are also assisting the DENR in the protection and conservation of the mountain range.
The Kalatungan Mountains has been proposed for declaration as a Natural Park under the NIPAS. The recommendation was submitted on June 1997 and the review process is on going.
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.
The Mt Kalatungan range is proposed for declaration as a Natural Park under the NIPAS. The recommendation was submitted on June 1997 and the review process is on-going.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kalatungan mountains (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kalatungan-mountains-iba-philippines on 23/12/2024.
