Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded in southern Leyte, and are likely to occur in the remaining forests on Mt Nacolod. These include the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, which has been recorded from near to the mountain. There is clearly a need for survey work, in particular to determine the importance of the forests on Mt Nacolod as part of the network of sites required for the conservation of the eagle.

Site description Mt Nacolod is in the south-eastern Leyte, and rises to 1,007 m. There are two significant areas of forest on the mountain, Buac Watershed Forest Reserve and Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation. Buac Watershed Forest Reserve has a flat to severely sloping terrain. A major portion (74%) of the area is forested, and the rest are kaingin and cultivated land (13%) and brushland (13%). It is a municipal watershed and is the source of water for surrounding towns. The Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation has c.454 ha of old growth forest, c.1,134 ha of second growth forest, c.544 ha of mossy forest, c.227 ha of brushland and c.2,177 ha of cultivated land. It is bordered to the east by agricultural land and coconut, abaca and rubber plantations. To the north, south and west are unclassified forests. A mini-hydroelectic plant has been put up in the area by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to provide electricity. An irrigation system by the NIA was also ¬erected to supply water to nearby farmlands.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Habitats

Management considerations The Buac Watershed Forest Reserve and Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation lie within the license area of the Timber Producers Marketing Corporation, with Timber License Agreement (TLA) No. 375. Illegal logging and kaingin are widespread in the area, and land-use conflicts exist there such as tenurial problems, illegal settlement, illegal clearing and conversion of land into agricultural lots by settlers. In addition to the indigenous Mangyan community, people from other parts of the Visayas are settling in the area. Soil erosion is a problem on denuded slopes. In 1995, a one year Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Project was implemented. This area lies on the Philippine Fault and is subject to numerous earthquakes, and the presence of forest is therefore important in protecting against potential mudslides.

Protection status The Mt Nacolod Forest Reserve was declared on 25 November 1966 by Proclamation No. 121, and originally covered 18,688 ha. The Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation (4,536 ha), which is part of the Nacolod Reserve, was declared on 23 November 1992 by Proclamation No. 107. The Buac Watershed Forest Reserve (5,934 ha) is proposed as a natural park under the NIPAS.

Conservation response In 1995, a one year Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Project was implemented. The DENR Region 8 is recommending Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation for protection under the NIPAS, and a Protected Area Survey Analysis (PASA) report has been completed and was submitted to the PAWB/DENR on November 1994. A future development plan is being prepared by the DENR-EMPAS, Region 8, to prepare for the recommendation of Buac Watershed Forest Reserve as a natural park under the NIPAS. Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate whether it supports important populations of threatened and restricted-range birds and other biodiversity.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mount Nacolod. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013

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