Vertebrate faunal diversity in Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines: An assessment using the Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System (BAMS)

Rich biodiversity is one of the Philippines' greatest assets of which populations of flora and fauna continuously face massive threats due to anthropogenic interventions. This study in Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary (MCWS) is one of the pioneering research projects on vertebrate fauna in a permanent biodiversity monitoring plot that followed a nationally accepted system of biodiversity assessment and monitoring for species and habitat conservation. The study established a 2-ha Permanent Biodiversity Monitoring Area (PBMA) following the procedures in the Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System crafted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Biodiversity Management Bureau. Results showed that MCWS was home to different kinds of vertebrate fauna including 23 bird species from 17 families, 7 mammalian species from 6 families, and 8 herpetofauna species from 7 families. The habitat association assessment revealed that the majority of species were forest-dependent and some were associated with grassland, agricultural areas, and forest streams. The computed diversity values in MCWS were generally higher than in other areas in the Philippines. Lastly, a high percentage of ecologically important species were recorded including the native, endemic, and threatened species. The study revealed the presence of essential species that shall be prioritized for conservation. The product of this study can act as baseline information for the continuous monitoring of the area and can further be used in crafting more appropriate and comprehensive conservation and management plans for the area.