ENVIRONMENT: Biodiversity

Flora

(Terrestrial Vegetation)

The forest area is comprised of mostly open limestone forest with sections of climbing bamboo. Due to a particularly wet microclimate, primary forest and residual trees are clad in moss layers and vascular epiphytes, including various ferns, orchids, and Nepenthes pitcher plants. Furthermore, the fairly dense understorey of both primary and secondary forest includes rattans, large treeferns (Cyathea), and a high proportion of various species of palms. Only few prominent fig trees could be found within the study area. Ridges and mountaintops, reaching elevations of up to 830 meters, either yielded ridgetop forest, or were entirely clad in impenetrable climbing bamboo (Schizostachyum?), while primary forest in other areas is dominated by trees of "Bankalawan".

Although a floral inventory specific to the Malumpati area has not yet been accomplished, the following floral species have been documented in the Northwest Panay Peninsula, are likely to be found in the Malumpati area in varying abundance.

Fauna

A comprehensive analysis of faunal inventory in the municipality has not been accomplished yet, but the following faunal species have been documented by Philippine Endemic Species Conservation Project (PESCP) to exist in the area.

In surveys of the Malumpati region, species of fruit pigeons were fairly abundant, however, records of hornbills were scarce. This may be explained by the area yielding only few large fig trees, and possibly fruiting trees as a whole, with the fruit pigeons using fruits of pioneer "Balante" trees. Both species of hornbills known to occur on the peninsula, Visayan Tarictic Penelopides panini and Writhed-billed Aceros waldeni, are listed among the 40 critically endangered Philippine endemic bird species. Proportion of breeding pairs can be inferred to be 15-30 Tarictics for one Writhed-billed. In areas of past intense hunting the number is down to <10% of the former population densities (swarms of up to 50 as compared to swarms of up to 3-5). On the one hand, this will reflect the naturally lower population density of the latter species, but may in addition be attributed to a higher susceptibility to hunting pressure.

Although faunal biodiversity in the region is itself important in terms of maintaining a healthy ecosystem, certain species are proven to be critical to the overall health and maintenance of the forest. Notably, large seed dispersers such as hornbills, fruit bats, and fruit pigeons play a vital role in the distribution of seeds, enabling forest regeneration. The absence of large seed dispersers would lead to the eventual death of the forest. As stated in Hamman and Curio (1997), composition of the forest would change drastically if large seed dispersers were lost. 60% of the late-successional tree species would lose all dispersal agents if large frugivores were hunted to extinction. These large seed dispersers are also valuable aesthetically, and as critically endangered charismatic vertebrates attractive to tourists.

Identified rare species found in the vicinity of the area

We found evidence for the occurrence of the following threatened vertebrate taxa endemic to the West-Central Visayas or the Philippines: Visayan Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides panini; Writhed-billed Hornbill Aceros waldeni; Negros Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba keayi); White-throated Jungle Flycatcher (Rhinomyias albigularis); Greenfaced Parrot-finch Erythrura viridifacies; Visayan Flowerpecker Dicaeum haematostictum; Philppine Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus philippensis; White-winged Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina ostenta; Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis (Philippine near endemic); Visayan Warty Pig Sus cebifrons; Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox Pteropus pumilus; Visayan Water Monitor Varanus salvator nuchalis.

Seven of the 16 critically endangered Philippine endemic bird species are restricted to the West-Central Visayan Islands, making the Visayas unique and favorable in terms of eco-tourism potential. Of these seven, three have been recorded in the Malumpati region, as well as 2 endangered, 1 vulnerable, and 1 near threatened endemic bird species.

Critically Endangered Endemic Bird Species

• White-throated Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias albigularis
• Writhed-billed Hornbill Aceros waldeni
• Visayan Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides panini

Endangered Endemic Bird Species

• Greenfaced Parrot-finch Erythrura viridifacies
• Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis

Vulnerable Endemic Bird Species

• Bar-bellied cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata

Near-threatened Endemic Bird Species

• Blue-crowned racquet-tail parrot Prioniturus discurus