Post by seacid on Feb 26, 2008 17:07:10 GMT 8
DISCOVER SPECIES
BY IVAN SARENAS
From DISPATCH MAGAZINE January 2008
a Publication of ROX
It is seemingly a little regarded fact that the Philippines has been elevated to being the hottest spot for biodiversity in the world. We have 510 species of endemic amphibians, birds and mammals. Compare that to Brazil, which has 725 unique species. Then realize that Brazil is 28 times larger. Biologists now call the Philippines as Galapagos Times Ten. This is something we can actually boast about.
Sibuyan Island may just be one of the 7,107 that we have. A casual visitor may think that it is but one of many. It has the familiar charm, similar sounds and the same smiles. But unbeknownst to almost everyone, this island is extremely special. For an island of its small size, (463 square kilometers, it has a perimeter coastal road a mere 96 kilometers long), it is the white-hot superstar of endemic biodiversity. Researchers from the Field Museum of Chicago were astounded by the fact that they discovered five unique mammal species in a casual survey. The National Museum found, in a single hectare, 123 species of trees, 54 of which are endemic. This island has more species found nowhere else in the world than most countries in Europe.
Sibuyan makes itself obvious even from afar, the jagged peaks of Mt. Guiting Guiting dominates the horizon from all the other surrounding waters and islands. It is no surprise that it is one of the most revered summits for Filipino mountaineers. It requires above-average fitness and intermediate skills to enjoy this climb. The trail will take you through the whole gamut of different mountain forest systems, from the lowland dipterocarp to the mossy rainforest, all within the 157 square kilometer Mt. Guiting Guiting Natural Park.
Day 1 is an 8-hour average haul up to Mayo's peak, which personally speaking, affords my new-Most Breathtaking View In The Philippines. Few places can squeeze such emotion through my jaded eyes- The Guiting-Guiting massif painted gold by the sunset uncharacteristically made me prayerful. Day 2 is easy to underestimate; the seemingly relaxed assault to the peak turns out to be actually difficult. All four limbs shall be required as you bargain with the rocks and gravel across a trail that makes you pray even harder. There are chasms, hundreds of feet deep for you to fall in. There are century-old branches to flagellate your already bleeding legs because you forgot to wear long pants. There are the jagged uneven rocks that alternately save and punish you. My expensive, state-of-the-art boots smiled and died before reaching the summit.
Day 3 is a lesser penalty, a 4-hour descent back to sea level and sandals. Along the way, you are sure to have encountered organisms that exist only on this island. Then ask any taxonomist looking at your photos if there is a species that you may have discovered, to please have it named after yourself.
Now, for something to be actually ashamed of: we have started to allow mining to disturb this biological paradise. As of this writing, two permits have been granted to extract minerals from Sibuyan, and another 23 are pending. The tenuous excuse is that it is being done outside the park boundaries. Compare that to the whole group of the Galapagos Islands which had 97% of its area declared as a National Park exempt from all extractive activities.
Mining, like agriculture, is a necessary human undertaking but some places should plainly be exempt. Sibuyan simply does not have the large area to buffer the disturbance caused by mining, even in its most benign modern form. Sibuyan Island in its entirety is obviously an international 9+outside her smiling lips?
CONTACT Park Superintendent Malvin Rocero – 0918-5269354 Magdiwang Bgy. Capt. Gerry Tansiongco – 0919-3475715
WHERE TO STAY Corran Guest House in Magdiwang town has cozy fan rooms for P250 a night. Vicky Rance – 0920-5308533
BY IVAN SARENAS
From DISPATCH MAGAZINE January 2008
a Publication of ROX
It is seemingly a little regarded fact that the Philippines has been elevated to being the hottest spot for biodiversity in the world. We have 510 species of endemic amphibians, birds and mammals. Compare that to Brazil, which has 725 unique species. Then realize that Brazil is 28 times larger. Biologists now call the Philippines as Galapagos Times Ten. This is something we can actually boast about.
Sibuyan Island may just be one of the 7,107 that we have. A casual visitor may think that it is but one of many. It has the familiar charm, similar sounds and the same smiles. But unbeknownst to almost everyone, this island is extremely special. For an island of its small size, (463 square kilometers, it has a perimeter coastal road a mere 96 kilometers long), it is the white-hot superstar of endemic biodiversity. Researchers from the Field Museum of Chicago were astounded by the fact that they discovered five unique mammal species in a casual survey. The National Museum found, in a single hectare, 123 species of trees, 54 of which are endemic. This island has more species found nowhere else in the world than most countries in Europe.
Sibuyan makes itself obvious even from afar, the jagged peaks of Mt. Guiting Guiting dominates the horizon from all the other surrounding waters and islands. It is no surprise that it is one of the most revered summits for Filipino mountaineers. It requires above-average fitness and intermediate skills to enjoy this climb. The trail will take you through the whole gamut of different mountain forest systems, from the lowland dipterocarp to the mossy rainforest, all within the 157 square kilometer Mt. Guiting Guiting Natural Park.
Day 1 is an 8-hour average haul up to Mayo's peak, which personally speaking, affords my new-Most Breathtaking View In The Philippines. Few places can squeeze such emotion through my jaded eyes- The Guiting-Guiting massif painted gold by the sunset uncharacteristically made me prayerful. Day 2 is easy to underestimate; the seemingly relaxed assault to the peak turns out to be actually difficult. All four limbs shall be required as you bargain with the rocks and gravel across a trail that makes you pray even harder. There are chasms, hundreds of feet deep for you to fall in. There are century-old branches to flagellate your already bleeding legs because you forgot to wear long pants. There are the jagged uneven rocks that alternately save and punish you. My expensive, state-of-the-art boots smiled and died before reaching the summit.
Day 3 is a lesser penalty, a 4-hour descent back to sea level and sandals. Along the way, you are sure to have encountered organisms that exist only on this island. Then ask any taxonomist looking at your photos if there is a species that you may have discovered, to please have it named after yourself.
Now, for something to be actually ashamed of: we have started to allow mining to disturb this biological paradise. As of this writing, two permits have been granted to extract minerals from Sibuyan, and another 23 are pending. The tenuous excuse is that it is being done outside the park boundaries. Compare that to the whole group of the Galapagos Islands which had 97% of its area declared as a National Park exempt from all extractive activities.
Mining, like agriculture, is a necessary human undertaking but some places should plainly be exempt. Sibuyan simply does not have the large area to buffer the disturbance caused by mining, even in its most benign modern form. Sibuyan Island in its entirety is obviously an international 9+outside her smiling lips?
CONTACT Park Superintendent Malvin Rocero – 0918-5269354 Magdiwang Bgy. Capt. Gerry Tansiongco – 0919-3475715
WHERE TO STAY Corran Guest House in Magdiwang town has cozy fan rooms for P250 a night. Vicky Rance – 0920-5308533