| December
2001 |
Volume
3, No. 4
|
New
SUAKCREM Project: "Responses of the Herpetological and Mammalian Faunas
of Negros Island, Philippines to
Fragmentation of the Tropical Rain
Forest"
Dr.
Ely L. ALCALA
SUAKCREM Researcher
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PROJECT
INFORMATION
TITLE:
Responses of the Herpetological and Mammalian
Faunas of Negros Island, Philippines
to
Fragmentation of the Tropical
Rain Forest
OBJECTIVES:
• BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH AND INVENTORY
• COMMUNITY LINKAGE
• ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
DURATION:
2 years
PROJECT IMPLEMENTOR: Silliman University -
Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental
Management (SUAKCREM)
GRANTOR: ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity
Conservation (ARCBC)
PROJECT LEADER:
Ely L. Alcala - SU Biology instructor
- SUAKCREM Researcher
CONSULTANT:
Dr. Angel C. Alcala - SUAKCREM Director
RESEARCHERS:
Ms. Renee Paalan - SU Biology instructor
Mr. Leonardo Averia - SU Biology instructor
Ms. Cynthia Dolino - Biology Graduate student
COMMUNITY WORKER: Ms. Ayessa Omero
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The Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental
Management (SUAKCREM) launched its first terrestrial biodiversity project
last August 2001. The project entitled “Responses of the Herpetological and
Mammalian Faunas of Negros Island, Philippines to Fragmentation of the Tropical
Rain Forest,” aims to promote research, community linkaging, and environmental
awareness in Southern Negros Island.
The project was conceived after reviewing the state of wildlife
in Negros Island. Here are some facts;
1. Negros forest cover is estimated around 4 % at the start of the millenium. This does
not include small forest patches scattered throughout the island.
2. Forest cover and animal population in Negros have precipitously declined
over the past years due to illegal hunting and logging. Particularly vulnerable
are the Philippine crocodile and Philippine spotted deer, both of which are
endangered and protected species. Two other species in the area are believed
to be functionally extinct, the bareback fruitbat due to habitat disturbance
and the Visayan warty pig due to hunting and hybridization with domestic pigs.
3. Southern Negros is unique due to the fragmented habitats and limestone forests
which provide shelter for some struggling animal populations. A thorough study
needs to be done to determine how fragmentation affects the viability of animal
populations living in the area.
Tropical
Southern Negros treeless upland landscape.
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4. Although attempts have been made to reforest previously logged areas and watershed systems have
been delineated in some areas, southern Negros does not have a single functional
protected area. Unlike the northern and southeastern parts of the island,
the southern part of the island is extensively mined and is not included in
the integrated protected system (NIPAS).
At the inception of the project there were three main activities:
1. Community linkaging- at least three municipalities and two cities have been visited
with the intention of promoting the project’s environmental programs which
include research and environmental awareness.
2. Community
presentation - three community presentations were conducted in three areas
in Basay; Actin, Poblacion, and Bongalonan. A video show was presented during
the meeting with local officials and schoolchildren in Basay. Information
flyers on wildlife conservation were also distributed to children and adults
who attended the presentation.
3. Scoping- this
particular activity represents the preliminary stage of data collection. Its
purpose is to determine the remaining old growth forests in southern Negros.
Research and protection programs will be developed in these sites. At least
5 sites have been identified by the project. These are located in the municipalities
of Cauayan, Hinoba-an, and Basay.
Flyers (front part) produced
for disseminating information regarding the project (left), and for
the conservation of the Negros cave frog (right) (Layout by E. Alcala)
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