Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) are geographical regions that have been determined to be of international importance in terms of biodiversity conservation, using globally standardized criteria published by the IUCN as part of a collaboration between scientists, conservation groups, and government bodies across the world. The purpose of Key Biodiversity Areas is to identify regions that are in need of protection by governments or other agencies. KBAs extend the Important Bird Area (IBA) concept to other taxonomic groups and are now being identified in many parts of the world. Examples of types of KBAs include Important Plant Areas (IPAs), Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the High Seas, Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites, Prime Butterfly Areas, Important Mammal Areas and Important Sites for Freshwater Biodiversity, with prototype criteria developed for freshwater molluscs and fish and for marine systems. The determination of KBAs often brings sites onto the conservation agenda that hadn't previously been identified as needing protection due to the nature of the two non-exclusive criteria used to determine them; vulnerability ; and irreplaceability.
29-468: The Mounts Iglit–Baco Natural Park (MIBNP) is a legislated protected area of the Philippines and an ASEAN Heritage Park located in the island of Mindoro in the central Philippines. It was first established in 1970 by virtue of Republic Act No. 6148 as a national park that covered an area of 75,445 hectares (186,430 acres) surrounding Mount Iglit and Mount Baco in the interior of Mindoro. The park
58-420: A World Heritage Site Key Biodiversity Area The KBA global standard was published in 2016. The criteria for what can qualify as a KBA is one or more of the following: The KBA standard has been applied around the globe to over 16,000 areas with a total 21,000,000 km , which can be viewed in map form. It is used by scientists to assess fragmentation and habitat loss in vulnerable areas, and
87-450: A mossaic of predominantly grasslands with patches of secondary forests in the soutwestern interior of the park. In April 2018, 523 tamaraws were spotted in the protected area. This is up from 327 spotted in 2012. Despite this population trend and ongoing efforts aimed at conserving and protecting this species, the threats to the tamaraw population within the protected area continue to escalate. The Tamaraw Conservation Program In 1979,
116-482: Is attributed to the steadfast support from various stakeholders, including the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) , Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (MBCFI) , D'Aboville Foundation (DAF) Inc. , World Wildlife Fund (WWF) , UNDP-BIOFIN , Far Eastern University , University of Santo Tomas -Project MATAPAT, Occidental Mindoro State College , and other local and international partners. The park
145-615: Is crossed by ten major river systems, including Mongpong, Patrick, Mag-asawang tubig, Bongabong, Lamintao, Anahawin, and Busuanga Rivers which empty into the Sibuyan Sea and South China Sea . The park is home to at least six ethnic groups on the island: the Batangas, Tagalog , Mangyan , Bisaya , Bicolano , and Ilocano . At least five (5) Mangyan groups, including 1) Bangon; 2) Buhid; 3) Hanunuo; 4) Tadyawan; and 5) TaoBuid, each with its own language, culture, and tradition. Moreover,
174-446: Is generally seen as an effective method of identifying areas in need of protection. Some criticism involves the scale of KBAs, such as the use of global data to set parameters for single regions or ecosystems, as well as the lack of involvement of local governments and other authorities- especially in developing countries- in their implementation. Other issues raised include the defining of conservation strictly in terms of location, and
203-521: Is one of the 228 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Philippines (i.e., KBA–60) with a total area of 56,299.59 hectares or about 53% of the total area of MIBNP. In relation to KBAs, the MIBNP hosts four Important Bird Areas (IBAs) including PH041: Iglit, PH042: Siburan, PH043: Malpalon, and PH044: Mt. Hitding. With its diverse flora and fauna, and the culture of the indigenous peoples residing within
232-530: Is the habitat of the endemic tamaraw ( Bubalus mindorensis ), a small, hoofed mammal of the bovid family unique to the Philippines that first documented in 1888. It is one of the most seriously endangered animals in the world. It was for this reason that the park was established, first as a game refuge and bird sanctuary in on 1969 with an initial area of 8,956 hectares (22,130 acres), as a national park in November 11, 1970, then natural park in 2018. In 1996,
261-597: Is the home of the largest remaining population of the critically endangered tamaraw (a small buffalo). In 2003, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations listed it as one of its four heritage parks in the Philippines. The park has also been nominated to the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006. In 2018, the park was designated as a "Natural Park" under the Republic Act No. 11038 or
290-451: The IUCN declared the tamaraw as one of the top 10 endangered species on Earth, the highest risk rating for any species. In 2002, the tamaraw was classified as critically endangered (Criteria: C1), an upgrade listing from 1996 listing of endangered. The tamaraw population is currently estimated at less than 600 individuals, from an estimated population of 10,000 in early 1990. More than 80% of
319-654: The Department of Environment and natural Resources in collaboration with the Conservation and Resource Management Foundation, Inc. (DENR & CRMF, 1987-1989); Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB, 1990-1997) with the assistance of the University of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (UPLBF, 1990-1993 and 1995); and DENR MIMAROPA in 1998. In 1999, the management and supervision of the project
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#1732797871466348-723: The Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (ENIPAS) Act of 2018, which increased the area to 106,656 hectares (263,550 acres). The natural park lies in the south-central area of Mindoro and is administratively divided across the municipalities of Sablayan , Calintaan , Rizal and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro , and the municipalities of Bongabong , Bansud , Gloria , and Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro . The municipality of Sablayan occupies
377-980: The Lamao Forest Reserve in Bataan , Mariquina Reserve in Rizal , Angat River Reserve in Bulacan , Caliraya Falls Reserve in Laguna , La Carlota Reserve in Negros Occidental , San Ramon Reserve in Zamboanga , Magalang Reserve in Pampanga , and Hacienda San Antonio in Isabela . In the same year, the Forest Act of 1904 ( Act No. 1148 ) was adopted that expanded the scope of protected areas in
406-776: The Philippines In the Philippines, protected areas are administered by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. As of 2020, there are 244 protected areas in the Philippines, covering a total area of about 7,760,000 hectares (19,200,000 acres) – 15.4% of the Philippines' total area. The first important legislation that formed
435-589: The Philippines encompasses 4,620,000 hectares (11,400,000 acres) of terrestrial areas and 3,140,000 hectares (7,800,000 acres) of marine areas. They are managed according to the following classifications described in Section 4 of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act). World Heritage Site or part of a World Heritage Site World Heritage Site or part of
464-514: The Philippines. Among the first of such mountain forest reserves to be declared was Mount Maquiling declared on November 21, 1910. On February 1, 1932, the National Parks Act ( Act No. 3195 ) was enacted that formally established the national parks system in the country. Mount Arayat became the first national park in the Philippines established on June 27, 1933, following this act. A series of acts and legislations were passed in
493-960: The Tamaraw Gene Pool Farm, an off-site breeding facility was established under the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) in Manoot, Rizal within MIBNP. From the inception of TCP in 1979 to date, several agencies have handled the implementation of the Project, including the Presidential Assistance for the National Minorities (PANANIM, 1979-1983); Office of the Muslim Affairs and Cultural Communities (OMACC, 1984); Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF, 1985-1986); Central Office of
522-526: The basis of the current system of national parks and protected areas in the Philippines is Act No. 648, enacted in 1903 by the Philippine Commission . This act authorized the civil governor to "reserve for civil public purposes, and from sale or settlement, any part of the public domain not appropriated by law for special public purposes." A total of eight national reserves had been established on July 26, 1904, pursuant to this law. These are
551-561: The current population is presumed to be in only one sub-population in a restricted area "No hunting agreement area" within the Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park and adjacent areas encompassing about 2500 hectares. The traditional land-use practices from the residing Indigenous Communities and poaching incidents from lowlanders are currently the main threats to the viability of these subpopulations, limiting their chance to expand and increase their population. The biggest population of tamaraw can be found in
580-733: The higher slopes. In the park's southern portion near the Lamintao River is a 367-hectare (910-acre) block of Acacia forest. There is also an area of Agoho forest along the Anahawin River within the Mindoro Biodiversity Rescue and Conservation Center (MBRCC), formerly known as Tamaraw Gene Pool Farm, the birthplace of the Kalikasan Bagong Sibol also known as " Kali ", the only tamaraw bred in captivity that survived to maturity. The rest of
609-548: The important indigenous plants found in the park are the kalantas tree, tindalo, almaciga , kamagong and the endangered jade vine . The Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management Office (MIBNP-PAMO), established in compliance to Section 11-B of RA 11038 (ENIPAS Act of 2018), as the mandated agency to ensure sustainable management and development of the park, is situated in Sitio Tamisan, Poypoy, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro. List of protected areas of
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#1732797871466638-528: The largest portion of the park in terms of area at 68%, and Mansalay occupies the smallest at 1.2%. Most of the protected area facilities are located in the municipality of Calintaan which shares 9% of the total area of MIBNP. The park has a rugged terrain composed of slopes, river gorges, mountains and plateaus. In the park's northern portion, Mount Baco rises to an elevation of 2,488 metres (8,163 ft) above sea level. Mount Iglit reaches 2,364 metres (7,756 ft) and can be found south of Mount Baco. The park
667-622: The lowland portions are open grasslands. The most extensive forests in the national park are in the remote northern portion in the area of Mount Baco. The park's lush environs harbor an incredible array of wildlife. Aside from the Tamaraw , the park shelters numerous other endangered species. The protected area supports twenty-five (25) known Mindoro's endemic species and their habitats including seven (7) species of birds; nine (9) species of mammals; three (3) species of amphibians; five (5) species of invertebrates; and one (1) species of plants. MIBNP
696-456: The naming of single species as important to the environment rather than the interconnectivity between species and doesn't prioritize areas that are dense in biological diversity. Some argue, however, that KBAs are meant to be a "focused response to a central problem in conservation" rather than a catch-all solution. Criteria may also be too broad, as one analysis found that between 26% and 68% of all terrestrial land on Earth could be classified as
725-564: The next decades that aimed to further strengthen these policies, including the Revised Forestry Code of 1975 ( Presidential Decree No. 705 ) and Forest Administrative Order No. 7. Following the 1987 Constitution , the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act was enacted which further enhanced the administration and classification of protected areas and broadened the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in enforcing its provisions. Protected areas in
754-602: The park's biodiversity and ecosystems, a range of activities are being conducted within the protected area. These include regular Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) and Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring Systems (BAMS), Annual Tamaraw Population Counts, targeted Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaigns, promotion of ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, livelihood opportunities, ecosystems restoration, extensive patrolling and monitoring using SMART tool, and strict enforcement of applicable environmental and forestry laws. The success of these conservation efforts
783-729: The protected area shares boundaries with parts of the ancestral domains of the Taobuid, Buhid, and Bangon, with their unique and entwined cultures within MIBNP. These communities have nurtured a deep connection with the land for generations, their traditions and way of life entwined with the natural rhythms of the park.The Mangyans depend on the park for their subsistence, where they engage in traditional farming and hunting for food. There are also areas of grasslands turned into pastures, as well as areas of slash-and-burn " kaingin " agriculture. The park's vegetation consists primarily of grasslands, lowland Dipterocarp forests, and montane rainforests on
812-500: The protected area, MIBNP is fast becoming an attraction to various types of audiences. Originally established as a ranching area, the park has witnessed a considerable reduction in its forest cover over the years. Presently, less than 3% of the primary forests remain intact, a noticeable massive decline of forest cover. Despite this, the park strives to protect remnants of lowland rain, mountain, and cloud forests housing critically threatened endemic animal species. To monitor and preserve
841-922: Was again placed under the PAWB, known today as the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).The latter continues to implement the TCP to date (2024). Apart from the tamaraw, other forms of wildlife are also found within the park including the Mindoro climbing rat , Mindoro stripe-faced fruit bat , Philippine deer , and wild pigs . A number of bird species also inhabit the park like the Mindoro imperial pigeon , Mindoro scops owl , black-hooded coucal , scarlet-collared flowerpecker , Mindoro hornbill , Mindoro racket tail , Mindoro boobok , Mindoro bulbul , and Mindoro bleeding heart pigeon. The park harbors at least 25 species of threatened floras. Some of
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