Greater Negros–Panay rain forests
Kanlaon, Negros Island
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmIndomalayan
Geography
Area35,074 km2 (13,542 sq mi)
CountryPhilippines
Coordinates11°15′N 122°30′E / 11.25°N 122.50°E / 11.25; 122.50

The Greater Negros–Panay rain forests ecoregion (WWF ID: IM0114) covers the central Visayan Islands in the Philippines, including the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Masbate, Sibuyan, Ticao, Guimaras, Romblon, Tablas, Siquijor, and Bohol, but excludes Leyte and Samar. During the last ice age, these were all on the same island. The lack of a land bridge to Asia during the ice age kept most Asian megafauna, including elephants and tigers, from reaching the Philippines and the Visayan Islands, which hosts many unique and endemic species with some exclusive only to an island.[1][2][3][4]

Location and description

Panay, Negros and the islands around them in the Visayas occupy the central position in the Philippines. Most of the islands are rugged, with the highest point being 2,465 metres (8,087 ft) at Mt. Kanlaon.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification (Af)). This climate is characterized as hot, humid, and having at least 60 mm of precipitation every month.[5][6] The islands receive precipitation averaging 2,417 mm/year, with July and August being the wettest months.[1]

Flora and fauna

Vegetation in the ecoregion depends on distance from the coast, and elevation. Beach vegetation merges into beach forest away from the coast, featuring trees of genus Casuarina (a tall evergreen with feather-like leaves) and Barringtonia. There are also mangroves along the coast that give way to tropical lowland rain forest farther inland. These lowland forests are dominated by trees of genus (Dipterocarpus), but the dipterocarps are joined by Pterocarpus indicus, Pandans Pandanus, and others.[4]

Upper hill dipterocarp forests are found from 650 meters to 1,000 meters, where the dominant trees are Shorea polysperma, oaks, chestnuts, and elaeocarps. Montane forests begin at about 1,000 meters featuring oaks and laurels.[4]

There are 58 species of mammals in the ecoregion, 13 of which are endemic. Large mammals of conservation interest include the Philippine spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), and the critically endangered Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons).[4]

One island in particular, the isolated, mountainous Sibuyan Island contains six endemic mammal species. It also has 700 species of vascular plants, 54 of which are endemic, and 131 bird species, a high level of diversity for a small island.[1]

Protected areas

Over 9% of the ecoregion is officially protected.[3] These protected areas include:

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Greater Negros-Panay rain forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Greater Negros-Panay rain forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Greater Negros-Panay rain forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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