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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The extensive Mt Labo range straddles the boundaries of the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Quezon. It rises to a maximum altitude of 1,539 m, with several lower peaks, and has a rolling to rugged terrain. The Mt Labo watershed consists of about 49,700 ha of forestland. It was extensively logged over from the 1960s to 1980s, and the remaining forest is located on the steeper slopes of the mountains. However, a block of closed canopy virgin forest was located along the boundary of Camarines Norte near Mt Labo during a recent forest mapping survey, that was reported to be in good condition and have minimal threats of encroachment. The forest is montane on the higher peaks, with lowland forest below c.1,000 m. There are also large areas of agriculture land and areas of marginal grassland.
Being an inactive volcano, the area has been the subject of several geothermal explorations since 1982. It is an important watershed, being a major source of water for Camarines Norte, and is the source of several major river systems.
Mt Labo is virtually unknown ornithologically, although a few of the threatened and restricted-range birds of the Luzon Endemic Bird Area have been recorded nearby, including the extremely poorly-known Brown-banded Rail. As this IBA has areas of both lowland and montane forest, it is likely that the avifauna there will prove to be similar to that of nearby Mt Isarog (PH031).
Non-bird biodiversity: The globally threatened endemic Gray’s Monitor Lizard Varanus olivaceus and the Sail-Fin Lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus have been recorded in this IBA. Virtually nothing is known of mammals there, but it is potentially very important for southern Luzon endemics.
The extensive Mt Labo range straddles the boundaries of the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Quezon. It rises to a maximum altitude of 1,539 m, with several lower peaks, and has a rolling to rugged terrain. The Mt Labo watershed consists of about 49,700 ha of forestland. It was extensively logged over from the 1960s to 1980s, and the remaining forest is located on the steeper slopes of the mountains. However, a block of closed canopy virgin forest was located along the boundary of Camarines Norte near Mt Labo during a recent forest mapping survey, that was reported to be in good condition and have minimal threats of encroachment. The forest is montane on the higher peaks, with lowland forest below c.1,000 m. There are also large areas of agriculture land and areas of marginal grassland.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The remaining forest on Mt Labo has been reported to be under considerable pressure, presumably from logging operations and kaingin, like other mountains in southern Luzon. However, a recent forest mapping project reported that a block of undisturbed forest there had minimal evidence of encroachment and that the second growth forest in this area exhibited good stocking.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
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 and other biodiversity.
The IBA includes the Abasig-Matogdon-Mananap Watershed Forest Reserve (1,032 ha), which was declared by Proc. No. 836 on 18 November 1991.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Labo (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-labo-iba-philippines on 22/11/2024.
