Cebu has less than 1% original forests, making it the “hottest of the global hotspots (an area of intense heat)”. This is according to ecological researches done by biodiversity conservation group in 1987. Meaning, Cebu belongs to a region with significant level of biodiversity exposed to threat of destruction. Due to deforestation and other forms of agricultural clearing (logging, kaingin-system, charcoal-making), Cebu has been reduced as one of the degraded areas in the country. Due to this degradation of its ecological habitats, Cebu also becomes a home for critically endangered endemic (ecologically living in a defined area) region has, the greater the proportion of endangered species it hosts

Here are the most critically endangered species in the Cebu islands:

Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum qaudricolor)
Is a modest passerine bird endemic to Cebu. The Cebu Flowerpecker is definitely not common and abundant. It was believed to be extinct but rediscovered in 1992. From its discovery, there were only 30 in kind but at the early part of 20th century, only 5 were found. Since then, it has been found only at three other sites.

Black shama (Copsychus cebuensis)
Locally named siloy, is a spectacular but shy eight-inch low-flying songbird which sings frequently at dawn or at dusk. It close to the ground and hides in dense thickets. Known to have been extinct, this songbird used to live in natural forests in Cebu. Its natural habitats, however, are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, lowland forests, and plantations. It fended itself to survive by adapting to an unfriendly environment – living in bamboo thickets and second growth forest. Now, at least 10 pairs were seen. Siloy was declared as the municipal bird of Consolacion, Cebu and a festival in Alcoy is also named after this bird.

Kawasan Paper Kite
Is a butterfly with spots and yellow tinged wings that ”glides like a kite”, perhaps the most beautiful tree nymph. It feeds on Parsonia, an endangered vine. It has been found in Kawasan waterfalls of Badian, along Tapon river and forest patches of Dalaguete, and the Nugas forest in Alcoy.

Cinnamon Trees (Cinnamomum cebuenese)
Are reported to be a new specie w/c grows only in the forest of Cantipla and Tabunan in the central part of Cebu. Used as remedy for stomach pains, its stems are sold in the markets of Brgy. Sudlon and Carbon market. The price of one tree is equivalent to five days’ salary of one farm worker in the area.

Still, some remain unnoticed. In Kawasan Nature Park alone, 5 endanged species were gathered. Kawasan Nature Park is also the dwelling place of rare birds, including bee-eaters, hornbills, kingfishers, higly endangered trees, like “Ipil” and “Tugas”, among others…

Perhaps extinction is natural but if we, humans alike are hastening the process, then probably our race comes with the extinction as well.

Sources:
Solstice (USJ-R school paper, summer issue 08-09)
Microsoft student 2007 DVD
Cebu Animal Welfare Society
Animalorgs.com

Bitaw….bitaw…..unsa kaha atong mabuhat para molahutay ning atong kabukiran og kalasangan?..

Ilabina nga daghan kita dinhi nga kusug kaau mosuroy sa atong kinaiyahan…


Cough! Usa Cough! Nako

mag tree planting..pede sad mamunit ta basura samtang mag katkat ta didto. ahehehe

ang cebu biodeiversity conservation foundation (cbcf), usa ka ngo, nangita og maka tanom og mga kahoy sa nug-as, alcoy nga pinuy-ana sa siloy. mo provide silag seedlings pero murag di sila ka provide og transpo. sa mga gusto mo volunteer maayo ni sya ma sked sometime before end of the year. naa na koy group na contact nga plan nila mo adto maybe november.

EXPLORER wrote:
ang cebu biodeiversity conservation foundation (cbcf), usa ka ngo, nangita og maka tanom og mga kahoy sa nug-as, alcoy nga pinuy-ana sa siloy. mo provide silag seedlings pero murag di sila ka provide og transpo. sa mga gusto mo volunteer maayo ni sya ma sked sometime before end of the year. naa na koy group na contact nga plan nila mo adto maybe november.


nindot ni sir jerry... may unta kaapil ang BC ani.. para sad kalaag sad ko sa alcoy..nyahaahah

@topi: amo company sa una ng tree-planting, nag coordinate ra mi ato sa DENR ba to or DPWH, nka limot nako. ahehehe

dayonon ta ni ang tree planting!...


kinsy ganahan magpatree planting diha este mo tree planting diay?...isa ang tiil...


lets give back to the nature...

dayon ni... pwede ta magtake pictures sa wildlife..fauna and flora den a2 e present sa DENR...

tree planting, kini go ko ani!!!

join ta mga taga BC ani beh.. for good cause ba..

@sir jerry:
naa nay nka set na date ani..? or mag agad cla sa mga mo join..?

join ko ani.. ahehehe

btaw y not bring a seedling each sa inyung mga climbs... para aside ninyu malipay sad ang kinaihayan sa inyung pag.duaw...

apil ko ani..sir jerry nus-a mani? para maka arrange me sa among mga skeds..pwd ni xa somewhere karong november or december. sakto para ting bugnaw, dako ug change mabuhi ang mga seedlings na atong i itanum.