Siargao Island is not just a home to the famous “Cloud 9” wave, but also a home to hundreds of species of plants and fauna.
The teardrop-shaped island’s biodiversity was uncovered in a study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) members of Division V (Biological Sciences).
Led by Dr. Cecilia Banag-Moran, the NRCP team logged around 110 species of plants and 403 species of animals from the aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the municipality of Del Carmen alone.
The study showed that "remarkable plant and beach forest species and possible new species of frog, rat, tarsier, insects, marine fish and decapod crustaceans” can be found in Del Carmen, Siargao in Surigao del Norte.
"With this rich diversity, a move for the global importance of Del Carmen, Siargao should be considered for its conservation and sustainability,” the NRCP said in a statement posted on its website.
Included in the list of identified species of animals are the 11 amphibians, 14 mammals, 23 reptiles, 52 birds, and 81 marine fish.
"It was found that nine species of plants and 34 species of terrestrial vertebrates are endemic to the Philippines,” according to the NRCP.
"In addition to this, 45 species of plants and 17 species of terrestrial vertebrates are not yet assessed for their conservation status.”
The NRCP study also cited the “excellent condition” of the amphibians and reptiles in mangroves and surrounding habitats, which prodded the Banag-Moran’s team to recommend that protection measures be put in place in the area.
Through biological field surveys, the project researchers found out that Del Carmen’s mangrove forest also houses interesting species, and is endowed with unique floral assemblages, and high floral diversity.
"Out of the 54 mangrove species in the world, Del Carmen is composed of 19 or 35.19 percent of the world species,” the study pointed out.
Considering that about new 90 species of marine flora, the NRCP team underscored the need for continuance of correct and diversified mangrove planting.
The NRCP said given the data presented by the project researchers, there is no reason for Siargao not to be listed as new Ramsar site in the country.
The data was conducted under the SAKLAW (Saklolo sa Lawa – Sustainable Communities) of the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) after the local government unit of Siargao requested scientific evidence to support their bid for Ramsar.
It noted that currently, there are six wetland habitats in the Philippines that have been designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, signed in 1971 in Iran’s city of Ramsar is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
"The presence of a threatened and endemic flora and fauna and possible new species, aside from the high diversity in the area is sufficient support for the Del Carmen Mangrove Forest to be listed under Ramsar for its long term conservation and sustainable utilization,” the NRCP said.
Aside from the inclusion of Del Carmen in the list of Ramsar sites in the country, the project researchers also sought the policy conservation and protection of Siargao ecosystems and its biodiversity resources.
The NRCP noted that a three-pager Photoguide of the Birds of Del Carmen Siargao has been produced under the study.
The project results were virtually presented by the NRCP team during the stakeholders meeting held on January 6, 2021. The heads of the municipality of Del Carmen, Mayor Proserfina M. Coro and Vice Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II attended the event.