Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This large IBA extends from Mt Kaluayan (Mt Lumot) in southern Misamis Oriental through south-eastern Bukidnon and along the border between Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur, east of the Pulangi river, to the Mt Kinabalian area. It comprises a large block of forest that is shown on recent forest cover maps. Mt Kaluayan is close to Mt Balatukan (PH091), and is a high mountain rising to 2,552 m. The rest of the mountains are relatively low, with Mt Kinabalian the highest peak in the south of the IBA at 1,672 m. Other peaks in the IBA include Mt Kimangkil. Old growth montane forest remains on the middle to upper slopes of these mountains. There are lowland forests on the lower slopes, which have been reported to be mainly secondary, although intact lowland dipterocarp forests were found at 490 m at Sitio Mayonhayon, Barangay Guibonon, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur in 1998.
Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded in or near to this IBA, but most of the mountains included in it are ornithologically unexplored. The extensive forests that are reported to remain in the IBA are likely to support many species of conservation concern, and could prove to be important for both the lowland and montane forest specialist species of the EBA.
Non-bird biodiversity: The montane forests on the northern slopes of Mt Lumot supports many endemic species, including 10 Mindanao mammalian endemics and 14 species of herpetofauna endemic to the Mindanao faunal region.
This large IBA extends from Mt Kaluayan (Mt Lumot) in southern Misamis Oriental through south-eastern Bukidnon and along the border between Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur, east of the Pulangi river, to the Mt Kinabalian area. It comprises a large block of forest that is shown on recent forest cover maps. Mt Kaluayan is close to Mt Balatukan (PH091), and is a high mountain rising to 2,552 m. The rest of the mountains are relatively low, with Mt Kinabalian the highest peak in the south of the IBA at 1,672 m. Other peaks in the IBA include Mt Kimangkil. Old growth montane forest remains on the middle to upper slopes of these mountains. There are lowland forests on the lower slopes, which have been reported to be mainly secondary, although intact lowland dipterocarp forests were found at 490 m at Sitio Mayonhayon, Barangay Guibonon, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur in 1998.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
This area was under two logging concessions, Anakan and Mac International, in the 1960s, and logging is reported to still be quite common in the area. The lower mountain slopes have been cleared for plantation and vegetable crops and for kaingin. A road linking Gingoog City and the municipality of Valencia in Bukidnon cuts through the mountains in the northern section of the IBA, and has allowed migration of settlers into the forest.
Land conflicts occur between the indigenous Higaonon tribe and the migrant settlers from the lowland.
Wildlife hunting is reported to be widespread, with target species including Philippine endemic wild pig, deer, Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus, doves and rats.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
A local NGO (a mountaineering group) called Kaplag, which is based in Gingoog City, is actively involved in the conservation of the forested areas inland of Gingoog, including some of the mountains in the northern portion of this IBA.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation carried out surveys at Sitio Mayonhayon, Barangay Guibonon, Esperanza in 1998. Haribon Foundation has also conducted biodiversity surveys on the northern slopes of Mt Lumot in late 1998 and early 1999. Further surveys are required in other parts of the IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats, and whether it supports important populations of threatened and restricted-range birds and other biodiversity.
DENR Region 10 is preparing a draft proclamation for the declaration of Mt Kimangkil and Mt Lumut (which are part of this IBA) as a component of the NIPAS.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Kaluayan - Mount Kinabalian Complex (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-kaluayan--mount-kinabalian-complex-iba-philippines on 23/12/2024.
