Hottest of the hotspots: Philippine biodiversity in peril

1. Hottest of the hotspots: Philippine biodiversity in peril Pithecophaga jeferyii (Philippine Eagle) Endemic to Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Leyte 30 breeding pairs in the wild Photo: Oliver Langrad, Conservation International

2. Hottest of the hotspots: Philippine biodiversity in peril Workshop on Philippine Biodiversity Youth Ecology Camp, Assumption Antipolo, April 13-17, 2010 Facilitator: Mr. Henry G. Calilung, Science Teacher, Holistic Education and Development Center, Taytay, Rizal

3. What is biodiversity? biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals (Merriam-Webster 2010) variety of life forms Introduction

4. Are there kinds of biodiversity? (Miller 2001) Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecological diversity Introduction

5. Genetic diversity – refers to variety of genomes within a population; different sets of genes produce different characteristics within the same species Seeds of the bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) reflect the genetic diversity within the species. Farmers in Swaziland, South Africa, take advantage of this by planting seeds of mixed colors, shapes and sizes. This way, they avoid having their crop wiped out in the event of a pest attack. Photo: http://www.unep.org/IK/Biodiversity.asp?id=Biodiversity Introduction

6. Species diversity – refers to the variety that exists within a community of plants and animals An artist’s rendition of an African watering hole. Such a gathering is not possible of course. Photo: http://arbgames.com.au/ravensburger-300-piece-large-format-jigsaw-puzzle-memories.html?js=n Introduction

7. Mt. Apo, Mindanao Lake Balinsasayao, Negros Tubbataha Marine National Park, Palawan Photo: http://raconteurist.bravejournal.com/entry/27108 Photo: http://bilogangbuwanniluna.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html Photo: http://bilogangbuwanniluna.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html Ecological diversity – refers to the variety of communities that exist in their natural environment Introduction

8. Are all forms of life equally important? (Miller 2001) Indicator species Keystone species Endemics Introduction

9. Indicator species – serve as early warning devices for an ongoing disturbance that is damaging the natural balance of an ecosystem. They are very sensitive to pollution and are the first to be affected. Frogs are useful indicators since their sensitive skin makes them susceptible to even small amounts of pollutants. In addition, they live on both land and water and so serve as barometers of good environmental health for both ecosystems. Photo: http://blog.mycology.cornell.edu/?p=97 Introduction

10. Keystone species – not necessarily the most abundant in a community, these species perform ecological functions on which the whole ecosystem depends. Without them, everything collapses. With their massive bodies and tusks, elephants can effectively dig the ground in search of water during the dry season. The holes they make then become watering holes for other animals. Photo: http://www.naturehaven.com/elephantbottom.html Introduction

11. Endemics – these are species that are unique to a locality. The conservation of endemics takes top priority since they are found nowhere else on the planet. The Gold-ringed Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila divergens) is one of the largest snakes in the world (6-8 feet in length). They are found only in Luzon and are classified as Vulnerable because their mangrove habitats are being destroyed. Photo: Gernot Vogel in www.gernot-vogel.de Introduction

12. Philippines: The Galapagos Islands ten times over Nepenthes sp (Pitcher plants, lapsay), Of the 86 global sp, 8 are Philippine endemics; N. Merilliana can hold 1.5 L of water Photo: Phill Mann, International Carnivorous Plant Society

13. The Philippines as a megadiversity country (Carr and Langhammer 2010) Megadiversity countries hold 70% of the world’s plant and animal life forms: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, United States, Venezuela Philippines: the Galapagos Islands ten times over

14. The Philippines as a megadiversity country (Carr and Langhammer 2010) The world’s megadiversity countries: Map: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/hotspots/index.html Philippines: the Galapagos Islands ten times over

15. Philippine terrestrial vertebrates (Heaney and Regalado, Jr. 1998) Philippines: the Galapagos Islands ten times over

16. Comparative endemism (Ong et al, 2002) Philippines: the Galapagos Islands ten times over

17. Comparative endemism (Ong et al, 2002) Philippines: the Galapagos Islands ten times over

18. Speciation: Darwin revisited Phloeomys pallidus (Northern slender-tailed cloud rat, Bu-ot) At 2.5 kilos, these cloud rats are the largest in the world. Endemic to Benguet, Kalinga-Apayao, Bataan/Zambales Large and meaty, cloud-rats are heavily hunted Photo by: WLR Oliver in www.fieldmuseum.org

19. What is speciation? There is a grandeur to this view of life.. that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on.. endless forms most beautiful and wonderful have been and are being evolved. (Charles Darwin as quoted in Miller 2001) Speciation: Darwin revisited

20. What is a species? (Campbell and Reece 2002) How do species evolve? Reproductive isolation Symaptric vs allopatric speciation Speciation begins with isolation. A population may be divided by geographic barriers (allopatric speciation) or by chromosomal mutations (sympatric speciation). Figure: http://scienceblogs.com/evolvingthoughts/2007/03/basic_concepts_allopatry_and_s.php Speciation: Darwin revisited

21. Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity (Heaney and Regalado, Jr. 1998) Gallicolumba luzonica (Luzon Bleeding Heart) Endemic to Luzon Near Threatened (Trapped for food and for the illegal pet trade) Photo: Ken Llio in www.flickr.com

22. Philippine Islands – from the seafloor via plate tectonics and volcanic activity Palawan & Mindoro – from the Eurasian mainland Samar & Leyte – formed 50M yrs ago; where Hawaii is at present Luzon – 15M yrs ago; rotated in place several times Mindanao – 5M yrs ago; came from 3 separate islands View geological history of the Philippine Archipelago (press esc to return to this slide) Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

23. Ice Age Islands (20,000 yrs ago) Sea level was 120m lower. Islands became connected: Greater Luzon Greater Negros-Panay Greater Palawan Greater Mindanao Chart: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Vanishing_Treasures/Origins_2.htm Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

24. Ice Age Islands (20,000 yrs ago) Deep sea channels kept smaller islands isolated Mindoro Sibuyan Siquijor Camiguin Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

25. The Philippine Archipelago 20,000 years ago. Note the formation of the Greater Islands (Luzon, Negros-Panay, Mindanao, Palawan). Note also that smaller islands have always been isolated (Sibuyan, Camiguin). Map: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Vanishing_Treasures/images/maps/ICE_AGE.gif Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

26. Mountain ecosystems Most Philippine islands have prominent mountains. Mountains harbor distinct forest types based on differences in temperature & rainfall. Each forest type produces its own unique set of plants and animals. Humus, the sponge-like-flood-controlling layer of decomposing plant material, becomes more abundant the higher one goes up a mountain. Map: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Vanishing_Treasures/Origins_4.htm Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

27. Forest types in Philippine mountains – Lowland forest Lowland forest in Pasonanca Natural Park, Zamboanga Peninsula, Southwestern Mindanao. The largest trees (2-3 meters diameter, 30-40 m tall) are found in the lowland forests. Most of these trees are dipterocarps which are known for their beautiful, lustrous wood collectively known as “Philippine mahogany.” Lianas and other vines reach from the forest floor to the canopy providing a natural highway for monkeys, squirrels, civet-cats and monkeys. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30369673@N06/4236409604/ Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

28. Photo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dipterocarpus_grandiflorus_Blanco2.263-original.png The Apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus) produces, aside from its timber, an oily resin used in lamps and varnishing compounds. Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

29. Dipterocarps take 40 years to produce their first seeds (above) and about 100 years to reach marketable size. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lekowala/18798900/ Most lowland forests have been decimated and nearly all Philippine species are threatened with extinction. Of the 45 native Philippine dipterocarps, nearly half are found nowhere else on Earth. Photo: http://164.100.52.111/cat.asp?iCat=2 Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

30. Forest types in Philippine mountains – Montane forest Montane forest in Mt. Polis, Ifugao, Luzon. Montane forest trees are shorter (max of 25 m) and are much more decorated with vines, pandans, pitcher plants and orchids. The montane forest receives 2 to 3 times more rain than the lowlands. Rain is well distributed throughout the year. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30369673@N06/4235586655/ Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

31. Considered as the Queen of Philippine orchids, the Waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana) is nearly extinct in the wild forests of Mindanao due to over collection. Montane forests feature an abundant array of orchids and pitcher plants. Photo: Greg Allikas in www.cites.org Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

32. Forest types in Philippine mountains – Mossy forest Lower mossy forest in Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon. Mossy forests are the wettest places in the Philippines receiving as much as 5 times more rainfall than at sea level. Combined with a cool temperature, the abundant rain fosters an explosion of plant life (mostly mosses, ferns, and orchids). Trees are kept small (2-3 m) and are often gnarled and twisted by the wind. Photo: http://pcij.org/stories/playground-of-the-gods/ Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

33. The sunbirds are the hummingbirds of the Philippines. Shown here is the Apo sunbird (Aethopyga boltoni) found only in Mindanao. Mossy forests feature abundant species of birds, rodents and apmhibians. Photo: http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Aethopyga_boltoni Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

34. Each of the Ice Age islands are considered faunal regions and act as centers of diversification. (Heaney et al, 2010) Greater Luzon – 70% endemism Greater Mindanao – 80% endemism Sibuyan Island (463 km2) – 4 endemic mammals & 1 bat, more than any European country Camiguin Island (265 km2) – 2 endemic mammals, 1 frog, 12 plants Origins and dimensions of Philippine biodiversity

35. The study of biodiversity Boiga dendrophila levitoni (Mangrove cat snake) Endemic to Panay Vulnerable (Destruction of mangroves for prawn farms) Photo: Maren Gaulke in www.gernot-vogel.de

36. The study of biodiversity (Stiling 2002) Species richness – total number of species Species evenness – distribution of individuals per species Field studies (A need for real heroes!) – field studies are financially and physically challenging, sometimes even life-threatening The study of biodiversity

37. Trapping for mammals The study of biodiversity

38. Netting for birds and bats The study of biodiversity

39. Camera traps for dangerous carnivores The study of biodiversity

40. Forest studies The study of biodiversity

41. Canopy studies The study of biodiversity

42. Classifying threatened life forms (IUCN 2010) Extinct (EX) Extinct in the Wild (EW) Critically Endangered (CR) : > 250 individuals Endangered (EN) : > 2,500 ind Vulnerable (VU) : > 10,000 ind Near Threatened (NT) Least Concern (LC) Data Deficient (DD) Not Evaluated (NE) The study of biodiversity

43. Workshop # 1: Mark-recapture game Arctictis binturong ssp. whitei (Palawan binturong, Bear cat) Endemic to Palawan Vulnerable (Hunted for food and medicinal uses) Photo: www.columbiabbc.edu

44. Philippine biodiversity in peril Rafflesia speciosa (Bunga-bangkay, Uruy) Endemic to Panay (5 new sp since 2002) Critically Endangered (Deforestation) Photo: Dr. Julie Barcelona, Philippine National Herbarium

45. What are hotspots? “Hotspots are the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth.” (Carr and Langhammer 2010) There are 34 hotspots in the world. The Philippines is ranked by many as the hottest. Philippine biodiversity in peril

46. The world’s hotspots Photo: http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/02/05_atlanticforest.shtml Philippine biodiversity in peril

47. Vital statistics (Carr and Langhammer 2010) Philippine biodiversity in peril

48. Vital statistics of the Philippines’ ecosystems: Philippine biodiversity in peril

49. State of the Philippine forests (Heaney and Regalado, JR. 1998) Pre-Spanish times: 95% forest cover (probably most forested archipelago in the world) 1600 : 90% old growth forest cover 1900 : 70% cover Some islands already denuded (Cebu) Others untouched (Protected by: Malaria in Mindoro; Isolation in Palawan; Moro people in Mindanao) 1997 : 7% cover Philippine biodiversity in peril

50. State of the Philippine forests (Mallari et al, 2001) Philippine biodiversity in peril