Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Several large blocks of old growth forest are shown on recent forest cover maps between the towns of San Vicente, Taytay and Roxas, in northern Palawan. Much of this area is low-lying, with the hills reaching a maximum altitude of only 701 m, so all of these are likely to be lowland forests.
The birds of this area are generally poorly known, but there are records of several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Palawan Endemic Bird Area, including the threatened Palawan Peacock-pheasant, Philippine Cockatoo, Blue-headed Racquet-tail and Palawan Hornbill. The extensive lowland forests in this IBA are likely to support significant populations of these and other threatened and restricted-range species.
Several large blocks of old growth forest are shown on recent forest cover maps between the towns of San Vicente, Taytay and Roxas, in northern Palawan. Much of this area is low-lying, with the hills reaching a maximum altitude of only 701 m, so all of these are likely to be lowland forests.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The areas logged on Palawan are relatively recent, and the majority of the forest within the closed canopy line is primary. Small-scale timber extraction and well-organised illegal commercial logging operations are hastening the depletion of the forest cover on the island.
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.
All of Palawan and associated islands are included in a Biosphere reserve, declared in 1990. An integrated management plan has been prepared for the whole Palawan Biosphere Reserve (ECAN), to zone the island. This IBA includes terrestrial core zone (primative wilderness area strictly protected) and buffer zone (regulated use allowed) areas.
Not officially protected.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: San Vicente - Taytay - Roxas forests (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/san-vicente--taytay--roxas-forests-iba-philippines on 22/12/2024.
