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 this IBA, mainly during a collecting expedition to Mt Tuduk in 1966. They are mainly birds of lowland and mid-altitude forest, including Lesser Eagle-owl, Silvery Kingfisher, Wattled Broadbill and Azure-breasted Pitta. The extensive, relatively low-altitude forests that are reported to survive in the Mt Latian complex are likely to support significant populations of many of these and of other birds of conservation concern. This could prove to be one of the most important sites for the conservation of lowland birds in the EBA.

Site description A large range of mountains extends southwards along the border between South Cotabato and Davao del Sur Provinces, from near Mt Latian in the north to near Mt Daingan in the south, which include several peaks which rise to well over 1,000 m. A large block of forest is shown there on recent forest cover maps, which includes substantial areas of both montane forest around the peaks and lowland forest on the lower slopes. On Mt Daingan, for example, there are old-growth dipterocarp forests at elevations ranging from 490 to 1,800 m. These forests are vital for the protection of the watersheds of several major rivers, such as the Big Glan, Big Lun and Little Lun, which feed agricultural lands to the north and south of General Santos City.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Habitats

Management considerations There are a number of threats to the forests of this IBA. There are several roads from the densely populated lowlands to the edge of the closed canopy forests, which has allowed access for kaingin. For example, a block of 500 ha of closed canopy forest in the vicinity of Mt Tangali has recently been reported to have been converted into cornfields. Uncontrolled forest fires are also a problem. Poor monitoring, detection and reporting facilities and slow reaction often allow these fires to get out of control.

Protection status Not officially protected.

Conservation response 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.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mount Latian complex. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013

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