VSU flora experts join in updating key biodiversity areas for global conservation

Dr. Marlito M. Bande, the director of the Zonal Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Habitat Restoration (Biodiversity Center), together with Ms. Serica Joy Compendio-Dadios, a faculty member of the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management (ITEEM), joined the forum with other marine and terrestrial experts and other concerned agencies from October 14 to 18 to update the list of Philippine KBAs and identify trigger species.

Trigger species are highly endangered animals or plants that live only in one place and are at risk of extinction. 

The two Viscan experts shared their data on the various trigger species they found from their project sites across the Anonang-Lobi Range in Leyte Province and Mt. Nacolod in Southern Leyte.

According to Ms. Compendio-Dadios, they recorded several trigger species in Mt. Bacolod and the Anonang-Lobi Range, which include several endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna, including Gomphandra fernandoi, Aquilaria malaccensis, Dendrobium milaniae, Acerodon jubatus, Nisaetus philippinensis, and newly recorded orchids and dipterocarps monitored through their project were also listed in the database.

On top of that, they also proposed to extend and integrate the Mt. Nacolod KBA to Panaon Island, integrate the municipalities of Quinapondan, General MacArthur, Giporlos, and Mercedes into the existing KBA of Guiuan to Salcedo, and extend up to Calicoan Island because of the rich mangrove ecosystem in these areas.

Updating the data on Philippine KBAs is part of the Department of Natural Resource-Biodiversity Management Bureau's (DENR-BMB) initiative to contribute to the protection of 30% of the earth's land and oceans by 2030. This initiative is adapted from the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, or the 30x30 global biodiversity goal.

The workshop is made possible because of the collaborative efforts of DENR-BMB together with its partners for the Philippine 30x30 Project, including the Haribon Foundation, Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc., Marine Protected Areas Support Network, Conservation International Philippines, Oceana, Rare, and World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines.

VSU is committed to conserving the environment. Earlier this year, the Biodiversity Center of VSU and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Baybay released a Pinsker’s hawk-eagle near Mt. Pangasugan.

[This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No: 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life below Water), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).]