A Preliminary Assessment on the Herpetofaunal Diversity of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL), Batangas Philippines

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Ecological Community ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Taal Volcano ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Study Sites

The Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) encompasses a prehistoric volcano caldera that caters to many documented endemic species. Although regarded as a unique area with the potential to house a diverse ecological community, biodiversity research in TVPL is still found wanting. The present paper aims to provide baseline information and increase research interests on the herpetofaunal diversity of TVPL, in light of its many undocumented terrestrial faunal species. Twelve study sites within the municipalities of Tanauan, Mataasnakahoy, and Balete were visited during survey trips from May to November 2015. A combination of transect and opportunistic sampling techniques were utilized, with morphometric data and sexual maturity recorded for each specimen collected. This preliminary survey provided 24 newly documented species of amphibians and reptiles occurring within TVPL. A total 10 frog species (from families Bufonidae, Ceratobatrachidae, Microhylidae, Dicroglossidae, Ranidae, and Rhacophoridae) and 14 reptile species (from families Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Acrochordidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, and Tryonychidae) were documented. Of the reptiles recorded, 3 are endemic species and widespread throughout the Philippines: Gekko mindorensis, Hydrosaurus pustulatus, and Draco spilopterus. Also recorded were the Philippine endemic frogs Kaloula picta and Limnonectes woodworthi along with the Luzon endemics Platymantis mimulus and Varanus marmoratus. The species-effort curve of amphibians showed a distinct plateau whereas the species-effort curve of reptiles has shown an increasing trend suggesting that additional sampling efforts should be done in the area to further increase knowledge of the TVPL herpetofaunal diversity.

Rapid Assessment Of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) Terrestrial Biodiversity

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Taal Volcano ◽  
Ecological Barriers ◽  
Floral Diversity ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Terrestrial Biodiversity

With the exponential rise of human activities in the past decades, majority of studies conducted in Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) are geared towards the conservation and preservation of Lake Taal’s remaining biodiversity. However, the current structure and assemblage of its terrestrial biotic communities remain relatively unstudied. In this study, we conducted biodiversity censuses in the four sites in TVPL to provide baseline information regarding the community structure of the selected study sites. Comparison of the plant diversity in Taal Volcano Crater Island and Romandan Falls within the forested areas of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas reveal that both sites support remarkably different vegetation, with the former supporting a smaller floral diversity. The fairly small number of animal samples present difficulty in providing conclusive findings to the wildlife structure of the two study sites. However, the presence of 11 animal species exhibit valuable results in determining the ecological status of TVPL. It is deduced that several ecological barriers exist between the sites, which is attributed to their unique terrestrial biota.

scholarly journals Spatial and Short-Term Temporal Patterns of Octocoral Assemblages in the West Philippine Sea

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jue Alef A. Lalas ◽  
Romina Therese S. Lim ◽  
Joey P. Cabasan ◽  
Christine S. Segumalian ◽  
Rhea Mae A. Luciano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variations ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Taxonomic Richness ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The West ◽  
Philippine Sea ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
West Philippine Sea ◽  
Study Sites

Octocorals are relatively understudied than other coral reef organisms despite their ecological and economic values. The Philippines is known to have high marine biodiversity, but information on octocorals is lacking. This study investigated spatial and temporal variations in the assemblage of octocorals in selected reef sites in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)- the Kalayaan Island Group (i.e., Pag-asa, Sabina, Lawak, and Northeast Investigator) and Ulugan in 2017 and 2019. Results showed high octocoral taxonomic richness (at least 10 families) in the study sites. Mean percent octocoral cover in WPS was 5.35% SE ± 0.55, with Sabina having the highest octocoral cover in both years. Significant differences in octocoral cover were observed among sites in both years, but among-station differences were only observed in 2017. Octocoral assemblage also differed among sites in both years (ANOSIM: R > 0.5, p < 0.05), wherein different octocoral taxa dominated in different sites. In particular, variations were driven by high cover of holaxonians, nephtheids, and coelogorgiids in Sabina, and clavulariids, tubiporiids, and xeniids in Northeast Investigator in 2017. In 2019, significant variations were driven by high cover of helioporiids in Pag-asa, while Sabina had higher abundance of holaxonians, nephtheids, alcyoniids, and xeniids. Short-term temporal variation on octocoral cover in monitoring stations in Pag-asa was not observed (Kruskal-Wallis, p > 0.05), although the overall mean octocoral cover increased from 1.23% ± SE 0.47 in 2017 to 2.09% SE ± 0.37 in 2019. Further, there was no significant change in the octocoral assemblage in Pag-asa between years (ANOSIM, R = 0.11, p = 0.07). This study highlights high octocoral taxonomic richness in the WPS relative to other sites in the Indo-Pacific Region and provides baseline information on the octocoral assemblages, which can be useful for future ecological studies and marine biodiversity conservation efforts.

Rediscovery and lectotypification of the Philippine endemic Hornstedtia microcheila Ridl. (Zingiberaceae) including an amendment to its description

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Taxonomic Key

Hornstedtia microcheila Ridl. (Zingiberaceae; Alpinioidieae; Alpinieae) is a poorly-known endemic species in the Philippines. It has not been collected again since its description in 1909. In 2017, however, the species was rediscovered in the Mt. Mandalagan Range, Patag, Silay City, Negros Occidental, after a lapse of over a century. A new, amended and extended description of H. microcheila based on this new collection is presented herein. Typification, colour photographs, distribution data, ecological details as well as a taxonomic key to the different Hornstedtia species in the Philippines are also provided.

scholarly journals Can Agroforestry Farmers Attain Sustainability? Case of Farmers in Selected Upland Farming Communities in the Philippines

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Leila Dimayuga Landicho ◽  
Josefina T. Dizon ◽  
Agnes C. Rola ◽  
Maria Ana T. Quinbo ◽  
Rowena DT. Baconguis
Keyword(s):  
Natural Capital ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Multiple Cropping ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Community Capitals ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
High Level

This article is based on the study which investigated the socioeconomic and biophysical conditions of the upland farming communities in the Philippines; identified the development pathways that were undertaken by the upland farmers; and determined level of sustainability of the upland farming communities on the basis of their development pathways. This article argues that agroforestry farmers in upland farming communities in the Philippines can attain sustainability. This argument is based on the study conducted in the three pilot upland communities of the Conservation Farming Villages program in Albay, Ifugao and Negros Oriental, Philippines. From seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with at least 12 participants per FGD for a total of 147 farmers, and farm household survey of 230 upland farmers, research results indicate that agroforestry farmers in the three study sites were smallholders and were cultivating in areas with marginal conditions. There were five development pathways identified. These are monocropping in contour, multiple cropping in contour, agroforestry, agroforestry with non-farm activities, and multiple cropping/monocropping without contour. With the community capitals framework as the theoretical foundation, analysis indicated that the five development pathways contributed to a high level of social, human and political capitals having mean scores of 0.73, 0.55 and 0.54, respectively; a moderate level of physical, financial and natural capital, with mean scores of 0.23, 0.20 and 0.23, respectively; and a very low level of cultural capital with mean score of -0.08. At the community level, on the other hand, research results revealed that the CFV sites in Ligao, Albay and La Libertad, Negros Oriental have almost similar contributions to the sustainability of the upland farming communities, while Alfonso Lista, Ifugao had the lowest. Thus, institutional arrangements with the farmers’ association and the local government units also played a key role in the sustainability of the upland farming communities. These results imply the need for a holistic and collaborative engagement towards attaining sustainable upland farming communities.

Critical medical ecology and intersectionality perspectives in schistosomiasis prevention and control in selected communities in Mindanao, the Philippines

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Soledad Natalia M. Dalisay ◽  
Vicente Y. Belizario ◽  
Joseph Aaron S. Joe ◽  
Carlo R. Lumangaya ◽  
Reginaldo D. Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Schistosomiasis Japonica ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Morbidity Control ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
And Control

Abstract Schistosomiasis japonica remains a public health concern in many areas of the Philippines. Periodic Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to at-risk populations is the main strategy for morbidity control of schistosomiasis. Attaining MDA coverage targets is important for the reduction of morbidity and prevention of complications due to the disease, and towards achieving Universal Health Care. The study employed a qualitative case study design. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to provide in-depth and situated descriptions of the contexts surrounding the implementation of MDA in two selected villages in known schistosomiasis-endemic provinces in Mindanao in the Philippines. Data analysis was done using the Critical Ecology for Medical Anthropology (CEMA) model coupled with the intersectionality approach. It was found that within various areas in the CEMA model, enabling as well as constraining factors have been encountered in MDA in the study settings. The interplay of income class, geographical location, gender norms and faith-based beliefs may have led to key populations being missed during the conduct of MDA in the study sites. The constraints faced by the target beneficiaries of MDA, as well as programme implementers, must be addressed to enhance service delivery and to control morbidity due to schistosomiasis. Improving compliance with MDA also requires a holistic, integrated approach to addressing barriers to participation, which are shaped by wider socio-political and power structures.

scholarly journals Metal Distribution and Sediment Quality Variation across Sediment Depths of a Subtropical Ramsar Declared Wetland

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2779
Author(s):  
Tatenda Dalu ◽  
Rolindela Tshivhase ◽  
Ross N. Cuthbert ◽  
Florence M. Murungweni ◽  
Ryan J. Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Sediment Quality ◽  
General Management ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
High Enrichment ◽  
Effect Level ◽  
Sediment Metals ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Pearson Correlations ◽  
Quality Variation

The study of wetlands is particularly important as these systems act as natural water purifiers and thus can act as sinks for contaminated particles. Wetland sediments are important as they provide an indication of potential contamination across temporal and spatial scales. The current study aimed to investigate the distributions of selected metals and nutrients in different sites in relation to sediment depth, and identify relationships among sediment metals. Significant differences in nutrient (i.e., N, P) and metal (i.e., K, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, B) concentrations were found across study sites, whereas nutrients (i.e., N, P) and metals (i.e., Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn) were significantly different with sediment depths. When compared against Canadian sediment standards, most of the assessed metals were within the “no effect” level across the different sites and depths. The K, Ca, and Mg concentration showed extreme contamination across all sites and depths. The enrichment factor values for K, Ca, and Mg showed extremely high enrichment levels for all sites and sediment depths. The Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and B concentration showed mostly background enrichment levels. All sediments across the different sites and sediment depths indicated deterioration of sediment quality. Pearson correlations suggest that most metals might have originated in a similar source as that of Mn and B, owing to a lack of significant differences. These results provide baseline information for the general management of the Nylsvley Wetland in relation to sediment metal pollution. The specific sources of metal contaminants also require further elucidation to further inform management efforts.

Observations on dugongs at Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Phillipines

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
LV Aragones
Keyword(s):  
The Philippines ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Seagrass Biomass ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Vantage Points

A simultaneous monitoring system that used a team of local observers to count dugongs around Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines, from eight vantage points was employed from March 1989 to May 1990 to identify important dugong habitats around the island. On average, five dugongs were seen per survey day. More dugongs were observed during March and July 1989 than in other months. These periods coincided with the bimodal peaking of seagrass biomass in the region and the lull between monsoons for that year. The site where dugongs were most often sighted was about 1.5 m deep, had the largest area of seagrass on the island (approximately 50 ha) and supported a seagrass (above-ground) biomass averaging 1060 g m-2 (wet weight). The dugongs were shy, making observations difficult. They were observed to graze at the study sites once per day, usually starting in the late afternoon or at night. Animals usually stayed on the seaward side of the spur-and-groove sections of the reefs. Short seagrasses such as Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotundata, C. serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium and Thalassia hemprichii showed more evidence of being grazed than the taller Enhalus acoroides. By direct observations of the area grazed by a single dugong, an average consumption rate of 30.5 kg (wet weight) of seagrass (above ground only) per day was estimated. The methodology developed in this study may be used to identify reserve areas for the protection of dugong habitats in the Philippines. The dugong populations of Palawan require further attention and implementation of conservation measures.

scholarly journals Sibuyan Island in the Philippines – threatened and in need of conservation

Oryx ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Goodman ◽  
N. R. Ingle
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Excellent Candidate ◽  
Faunal Survey

In the spring of 1992 a group of zoologists completed a faunal survey of Sibuyan Island, a small mountainous island in the central Philippines. This island, which is oceanic in origin and during the Pleistocene at least was not connected to any other island mass, has an exceptional amount of intact primary forest, including lowland forest, a habitat that has all but been destroyed in the Philippines. The mammalian fauna of Sibuyan Island is exceptionally high in endemic species and also contains many other species that are threatened throughout the Philippines. Current logging operations severely threaten the remaining areas of lowland forest on the island. With forests of the Philippines under intense pressure, the most realistic hope for conservation lies in the protection of forests on islands where the population and political pressures are less intense. Sibuyan Island is an excellent candidate for such initiative.

The herpetofauna of Kioloa, New South Wales: baseline observational data collected 30 years ago and inspired by R. E. Barwick

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Henle ◽  
Will Osborne ◽  
Frank Lemckert
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Field Station ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitat ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Frog Species

There is increasing concern about the global decline of amphibians and reptiles. One problem with documenting declines and identifying underlying causes is the absence of historical data to compare to current data. Here we provide historic data for Kioloa on the south-eastern coast of New South Wales. In this region considerable clearing of natural forest and woodland and creation of farmland ponds took place during the second half of the 20th century. The Australian National University has a field station at Kioloa and R.E. Barwick introduced us to the field station and what was known of the herpetofauna in the mid-1980s. We undertook detailed observational surveys of the herpetofauna at this time and we revisited the area at other times, focusing on the coastal habitats. We found 13 species of frogs and 11 species of reptiles. Three further frog species and one reptile species known to occur in the area in the 1980s were not detected by us. More recently, one further frog species and six reptile species were added to the list, raising the total to 17 frog and 18 reptile species. The number and composition was similar to other locations of coastal New South Wales, except for some of the rarely encountered species. No strictly forest-dependent species were observed in the partially cleared survey area and such species presumably had already disappeared from these areas already before we commenced our observations. The frog Pseudophryne bibronii was still common in tall open-forest but was uncommon in partially cleared areas. Six species of frogs and one species of reptile presumably benefited from the anthropogenic habitat modifications. No declines of common species of reptiles occurred between the mid-1980s and 1993 but all species of frogs were very rare in 1993 due to very dry conditions. Litoria aurea, a threatened species of frog that was widespread in the mid-1980s, survives (2012) only at one site in the area.

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