Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Bulosao Watershed Forest Reserve is adjacent to the MacArthur Mountains, and straddles the boundary of Samar and Eastern Samar Provinces. The highest peak in the IBA is Mt Honop at 731 m. The northern and western boundaries of the IBA approximately follow the Sulat River. Closed canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.2,624 ha (65%) of the watershed, open canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.952 ha (24%), cultivated areas with brush cover c.208 ha (5%), coconut plantations cover c.171 ha (4%) and contract reforestation plots (planted with exotic tree species) cover c.100 ha (2%). There are a few small settlements present in the area, and the small patches of agricultural land and kaingin are planted with coconut, banana and fruit trees.
The avifauna of the Bulosao River Watershed Forest Reserve is virtually unknown, but it is likely to be similar to those of the other IBAs on Samar, the Mt Cabalantian-Mt Capotoan complex (PH073) and the Mt Yacgun-Mt Sohoton complex (PH074). The extensive forests in this IBA therefore probably support important populations of several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area.
The Bulosao Watershed Forest Reserve is adjacent to the MacArthur Mountains, and straddles the boundary of Samar and Eastern Samar Provinces. The highest peak in the IBA is Mt Honop at 731 m. The northern and western boundaries of the IBA approximately follow the Sulat River. Closed canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.2,624 ha (65%) of the watershed, open canopy lowland dipterocarp forest covers c.952 ha (24%), cultivated areas with brush cover c.208 ha (5%), coconut plantations cover c.171 ha (4%) and contract reforestation plots (planted with exotic tree species) cover c.100 ha (2%). There are a few small settlements present in the area, and the small patches of agricultural land and kaingin are planted with coconut, banana and fruit trees.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Major threats to the Bulosao River Watershed include selective extraction of timber and illegal logging, settlement in the area and the associated problems of agricultural expansion and kaingin. Wildlife hunting also takes place there.
Reforestation in the watershed has unfortunately mainly involved the planting of exotic tree species, which are of little value to the native wildlife. Future or proposed plans for the area include the Bulosao mini-hydroelectric power plant and a restoration plan for the Bulosao River Watershed.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Reforestation in the watershed has unfortunately mainly involved the planting of exotic tree species, which are of little value to the native wildlife. Future or proposed plans for the area include the Bulosao mini-hydroelectric power plant and a restoration plan for the Bulosao River Watershed.
An Initial Protected Area Plan (IPAP) has been drafted by the DENR Region 8 for Bulosao Watershed Forest Reserve, and the area is recommended for inclusion in the NIPAS. A Protected Area Survey Assessment (PASA) has been completed, and was submitted to PAWB/DENR on December 1994. Various NGOs and cause-oriented groups are working in the area including the Guiuan Development Foundation (GDFI) and the Eastern Samar Development Foundation (ESADEF, Inc.).
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.
The Bulosao Watershed Forest Reserve (4,055 ha) was declared by Presidential Decree 106 on 10 December 1992, and the area is recommended for inclusion in the NIPAS.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Southern Samar mountains (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/southern-samar-mountains-iba-philippines on 22/12/2024.
