Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
An area of forest lies inland from the road near to Bongabong, in the foothills below the eastern slopes of Mt Hitding. It was not visited during surveys in 1991, but when examined through binoculars from the road it appeared to be lowland forest. Very few signs of human encroachment were visible and the forest extended down to about 100 m altitude. Gradients were gentle on the lower slopes and forest extended to the mountain peak at about 1,000 m. There is thus a possibility that this is a surviving undisturbed forest extending from the lowlands to the mountain top.
Several of the threatened and restricted-range lowland forest species of the Mindoro Endemic Bird Area were collected in the Bongabong area in the past, with recent unconfirmed records of two of these species. If substantial areas of lowland forest are found to remain there, this IBA could prove to be one of the most important sites for the conservation of the highly threatened endemic lowland forest birds of Mindoro. The higher altitude forests on Mt Hitding could also support some of the endemic montane species.
Non-bird biodiversity: This IBA is also likely to support some threatened mammals, including endemic subspecies of wild pigs.
An area of forest lies inland from the road near to Bongabong, in the foothills below the eastern slopes of Mt Hitding. It was not visited during surveys in 1991, but when examined through binoculars from the road it appeared to be lowland forest. Very few signs of human encroachment were visible and the forest extended down to about 100 m altitude. Gradients were gentle on the lower slopes and forest extended to the mountain peak at about 1,000 m. There is thus a possibility that this is a surviving undisturbed forest extending from the lowlands to the mountain top.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Commercial logging operations within Oriental Mindoro have been stopped for quite some time, and the canopy of the logged-over areas appears to have already closed. However, these stands are seriously threatened by the continuing commercial extraction of timber and kaingin. The Oriental side of Mindoro usually has a buffer of open canopy second growth forest or brush between the open canopy forest and openlands.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
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 Hitding (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-hitding-iba-philippines on 23/12/2024.
