Mt. Isarog in the Bicol Region is one of the few mountains in the country with great varieties of wildlife species. However, ordinary people and local folks continue to extract forest resources from the protected areas of the mountain.  These activities pose threats to the biodiversity in Mt. Isarog.  Castroverde et. al. (CSSAC) conducted biodiversity trends identification on specific priority faunal species in MINP to specifically consolidate, organize, and analyze existing data on biodiversity population and threat reduction; determine the population distribution trends of key priority faunal species in MINP; come up with management prescriptions to strengthen biodiversity conservation measures; and recommend an effective biodiversity monitoring system for MINP.

Findings

• The population of faunal species in MINP has shown that 'baboy damo' (Sus scrofa), 'bayakan' (Pteopus speciosus), 'unggoy' (Macaca fascicularis), and 'punay' (Galliclumba luzonica) remained as the dominant species.  However, population decline had become evident among the species of 'sawa' (Phyton reticulares), 'sabit' (Spizaetus phillipensis), 'usa' (Cervus marianus) and 'salibad' (Microhierax erythrogynys).
• No significant difference was obtained in 2002 and 2003 in terms of presence, frequency, and population density of the faunal species.  These findings indicated the continuing reduction in the biodiversity population of the faunal species.  These also implied that institutional interventions and inter-agency collaborative efforts on reforestation and wildlife conservation and management of MINP should be further strengthened.
• Significant differences in the biodiversity population among the barangays included in the four monitoring periods were observed.  This may imply that biodiversity conservation efforts differed or that while some communities had actively and properly implemented reforestation and wildlife protection program, others had not.

The management descriptions recommended for the present state of MINP included active monitoring system coupled with improved data gathering tool and procedures; partnership and collaboration among various agencies and institutions; capability building to strengthen community-based organizations (CBOs); aggressive IEC; strict enforcement of policies and laws pareticularly along visitor management; and selection of key leaders in the communities and partner agencies.

Butterflies stand out in forest fauna not only for their beauty but more importantly for their role in pollinating crops.  These insects also serve as good indicators of balance due to their sensitivity to pesticides and toxins.  A rich source of butterflies is Mt. Isarog in the Bicol Region.  With butterfly rearing as one of the alternative livelihoods being promoted in the region, the risk of exploiting said fauna could threaten these species.  To ensure that butterflies are preserved properly as well as inventoried systematically, Jovillano-Mostoles (CSSAC) assessed their conservation status from September to December 2005.

Findings

• The butterfly inventory yielded 41 species under 29 genera and 7 families in Mt. Isarog.  The butterfly families found were Nymphalidae (13 spp.), Pieridae (9 spp.), Papilionidae (8 spp), Danaidae (7 spp.), Satyridae (3 spp.), and Lycaenidae and Hesperidae (1 spp.)
• The Pieridae family was found significantly different in terms of abundance (28.67 +- 26.8) and diversity (.678).  The Hesperiids had the lowest abundance (3.0) and diversity (0).
• It was also observed that population was significantly higher in cultivated areas than in forest areas.  In contrast, butterflies in cooler areas had striking shades and hues compared with those in cultivated and grassland areas.
• Host plants for common butterflies were abundant but not for rare butterflies.

The study highly recommend that conservation measures be done on both the butterfly species and their host plants.  Similarly, reduction of trees and unregulated collection of adult fliers need to be addressed to conserve the abundance of butterflies in Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP).

Source:Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.  Highlights 2005. Los Baños, Laguna:  PCARRD, 2006. 167p.