Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Mt Diwata is at the southern end of the Diwata range in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur Provinces in north-eastern Mindanao. This IBA includes the forested southern section of this range, south of Mt Hilong-Hilong (PH083) (the boundary between the two IBA’s is at c.9 o N). The southern part of the Diwata range is relatively low, the highest peak rising to only 1,261 m. A large block of old growth forest is shown in this IBA on recent forest cover maps. The forest will be montane around the higher peaks of the IBA, but there are also likely to be substantial areas of lowland forest on the lower slopes.
Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded in or near to the Mt Diwata range, including Philippine Eagle, mostly during a collecting expedition in 1976. The mountains around Mt Diwata are less well studied than Mt Hilong-hilong (PH083) in the northern section of the Diwata range, but they are likely to prove to have a similar avifauna. The extensive lowland and montane forests that are reported to survive in this IBA could therefore support significant populations of many species of conservation concern, and the lowland forests may prove to be particularly important.
Mt Diwata is at the southern end of the Diwata range in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur Provinces in north-eastern Mindanao. This IBA includes the forested southern section of this range, south of Mt Hilong-Hilong (PH083) (the boundary between the two IBA’s is at c.9 o N). The southern part of the Diwata range is relatively low, the highest peak rising to only 1,261 m. A large block of old growth forest is shown in this IBA on recent forest cover maps. The forest will be montane around the higher peaks of the IBA, but there are also likely to be substantial areas of lowland forest on the lower slopes.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The forests of this IBA are reported to be under pressure from encroachment for kaingin and the extraction of timber. However, Mt Diwata itself apparently receives protection through the presence of insurgents in the forests.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The Lianga Bay Logging Company operated in the area until 1994/1995. With financial support from the MacArthur Foundation the concession is managed by a cooperative company composed of former employees of the logging company.
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.
Not officially protected.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Diwata Range (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-diwata-range-iba-philippines on 23/12/2024.
