Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River National Park
An important wetland
An important wetland
Role of wetlands
Wetlands appear to have an important role in the ecosystem of a certain location. It acts as a link between land and water. It provides nearly two-thirds of world’s fish harvest. Wetlands may be categorized as marshes, estuaries, swamps, coastal, bogs, and shallow lakes.
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| Cypress Lake, an example of Swamp source: wikipedia.org |
The characteristics of a wetland can be described on the way that natural habitat and appearance of the surroundings. Mostly, an area must be soaked by water at least part of the year. Some wetlands are dry. They hold water that ran off from precipitation. It prevents floods to occur in the land that cannot absorb great amount of water.
Wetlands in the
Philippines
The most important wetlands found in the Philippines are Olango Island, Naujan Lake National Park, Agusan March Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area. The wetlands listed are recognized by the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance, and these are called Ramsar Sites. These wetlands are picked because of the conservation and its use to provide habitat. It possesses an ecosystem that valuable to many life forms in the area.
The most important wetlands found in the Philippines are Olango Island, Naujan Lake National Park, Agusan March Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area. The wetlands listed are recognized by the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance, and these are called Ramsar Sites. These wetlands are picked because of the conservation and its use to provide habitat. It possesses an ecosystem that valuable to many life forms in the area.
Olango Island
The Olango Island Group is
located at Central Visayas region in the Philippines. It consists of six
islets, namely Sulpa, Gilutongan, Nalusuan, Caohagan, Pangan-an, and Camungi.
The area covers up 58 km2. The island serves as a resting place for
the migrating birds from Siberia, Northern China and Japan to Southeast Asia
and Australia. The reason why birds migrate is the winter climate. There are 97
species of birds and 48 migratory birds found in the island. Fishing and other
coastal related activities such as shellcraft, aquarium fish collection, boat
operation and seaweed farming are the types of occupation done in this island.
Naujan Lake National Park
The Naujan Lake is considered as
the fifth largest lake in the Philippines. It is a freshwater lake located in
the northeastern corner of the province of Oriental Mindoro in Mindoro Island.
The area covers 145.68 km2. It is the widest breeding place for
marsh birds. As for the tourist accommodation, the National Park has facilities
for tourist and recreational activities. Most people in the area do fishing as
their livelihood.
Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
The Agusan Marsh Wildlife
Sanctuary is the home of Lolong, the world’s largest crocodile in the world.
This wetland is declared a protected area by the former president Fidel V.
Ramos. It is found in the heart of Agusan Basin. It covers 148.36 km2.
It contains nearly 15% of the nation’s fresh water resources in the form of
swamp forests (Wikipedia). Over 200 species are found at the least part of the
year and making it one of the most important migrating spots of the birds, in
Asia. It happens when the lake lower down its water level. When water rises
during rainy season, ducks came to nest.
Tubbataha Reef National Marine
Park
The Tubbataha Reef National
Marine Park is found in the middle of Sulu Sea. It is declared as a World
Heritage Site by the UNESCO on the December 1993. It covers 968.28 km2.
The reefs are inhabited by over 1000 species of marine life. Notable species
are the manta rays, lionfish, sea turles, clownfish, and sharks. The wetland is
popular for the seasoned divers because of the coral walls where the shallow
coral reef ends giving way for great depth. It is considered as the best dive
sites by the CNN.
Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical
Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA)
The wetland is also called,
Freedom Island. It covers up of about 1.75 km2. It is an artificial
island and formed as a barrier island. It is found in Manila Bay. The
Philippine Duck is breeding on this wetland and at least 5,000 migratory and
resident birds found in the area.
Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River National Park
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| Source: puerto-undergroundriver.com |
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River National Park is found in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 50 km north. The
National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Ranges on the west coast of
Palawan. It has been managed by the city government since 1992. The whole area
covers up to 22,202 hectares. The river is measured 8.2 km long and that is
considered as one of the world’s longest navigable underground river.
The wetland has become one of the New 7 wonders of Nature on January 28, 2012. The underground cave has the astounding cave system. There are rock formations inside the cave that gives an impressive display of beauty in nature. The park has limestone karst mountain setting. The rock formations represent various forms of life and non-living, definitely a nature carved history. Examples of these representations are birds, woman, vegetables, ‘smokey mountain’, religious images, etc.
The area has become one of the
most important forest in Asia since it characterize a biodiversity habitat for more
than 800 species of plants, 165 bird species, 30 mammal species, 19 reptile
species and 8 bat species. Sounds from bats can be heard inside the cave.
The property contains a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem which provides significant habitat for biodiversity conservation and protects the most intact and noteworthy forests within the Palawan biogeographic province. Holding the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit, the park’s effective management system is a symbol of commitment by the Filipino people to the protection and conservation of their natural heritage. (UNESCO)
The property contains a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem which provides significant habitat for biodiversity conservation and protects the most intact and noteworthy forests within the Palawan biogeographic province. Holding the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit, the park’s effective management system is a symbol of commitment by the Filipino people to the protection and conservation of their natural heritage. (UNESCO)
Me with my mom (2011)
Laws imposed on Puerto Princesa
Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) headed by the City Government of Palawan managed the site for tourist destination of the city. Eventually, they passed a MOA with the DENR to supervise the area. The Republic Act 7611 has been implied in accordance of the mandate. The act is also known as “Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act”. Section 2 reveals, ‘It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect, develop and conserve its natural resources. Toward this end, it shall assist and support the implementation of plans, programs and projects formulated to preserve and enhance the environment, and at the same time pursue the socio-economic development goals of the country…’
| Type of Wetland | Coastal |
| Location | Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines |
| Plant Species | Dao, Ipil, Dita, Amugis, Apitong, Bitaog, Pongamia pinnata, Erythia orientalis, Almaciga, Kamagong Pandan, Anibong Rattan |
| Animal Species | 165 Bird Species (e.g. blue-naped parrot, Tabon scrub fowl, hill myna, Palawan horn bill, white breasted sea eagle) 30 Mammal Species (e.g. long-tailed macaque, bearded pig, bearcat, Palawan stink badger and the Palawan porcupine) 19 Reptile Species (e.g. python, monitor lizard and the green crested lizard) Notable species such as 9 species of bats, 2 species of swiftlets and whip spider found in the cave. |
| Strategy for Preservation | Cooperation among the tourists Preventing the manipulation of the natural form of the limestones Proper waste management Imposing laws for tourist who tend to disorder the area Public-private partnerships for conservation financing and capacity building |
Ecological Significance of Wetlands
The wetlands from the RAMSAR list have things in common. Notably, migratory birds are coming in those areas for the climate. Those are also support biodiversity. These wetlands are home for various species of birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, reptiles and plants. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a mountain-to-sea ecosystem as it takes care of the land and marine animals. There will be a great loss to the biodiversity if the wetland has come to its destruction. Birds will have no suitable place for migration, unbalanced ecosystem are some of the implications of destruction. That’s why local governments imposing laws for protecting the nature. It’s up to the people coming in the area and the residents nearby to cooperate with government. Mankind should conserve nature as it is God’s gift for us.
