16 alien species found in Cebu protected area

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has listed at least 16 invasive alien species (IAS) within the 28,312-hectare Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).

DENR regional executive director Isabelo R. Montejo said that the results of inventory revealed that the most common IAS is the mikania micrantha, a vine locally known as “Ooko” that tends to strangle seedling of trees and shrubs.

The presence of piper aduncum or matico also alarmed researchers since it is considered one of the invasive alien species.

Species listed in a four-day inventory at CCPL are swietenia macrophylla or mahogany, gmelina arborea or gmelina, acacia mangium or brown salwood, acacia Auricoliformis or auri, and Syzygium cumini or jambul.

Added to the list are chromolaena odorata or hagonoy, bidens pilosa or cobbler’s pegs, mimosa diplotricha or giant sensitive plant, lantana camara or iring-iring or kantutay, leucaena leucocephala or byatilis or luyluy, piper aduncum or matico, and psidium guajava or guava.

Also included are ziziphus mauritiana or Indian plum, mikania micrantha or bittervine, morus alba or white mulberry, and sphagneticola trilobata or Bay Biscayne Creeping-oxeye.

Montejo said that IAS, also called “non-indigenous” or “non-native” species, adversely affect the habitats and bioregions.

“These are species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural past or present distribution threaten biodiversity,” said Montejo in a press statement furnished to The FREEMAN.

According to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), IAS is now a global issue that needs international action. The CBD had called for the control and monitoring of alien species that threaten the ecosystem, habitats and species.

Montejo added that common characteristics of IAS include rapid reproduction and growth, high dispersal ability, phenotypic plasticity and ability to survive on various food types and in a wide range of environmental conditions, which causes enormous damage to biodiversity.

According to the preliminary results, among the 58 species listed in the matrix, 16 species were verified within the protected area of CCPL particularly in Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City where the remaining second growth indigenous forest is located.

However, those 58 species on the list need to be verified yet in other areas within CCPL.

The CCPL, under Republic Act No. 9486 was approved on June 7, 2007, covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares.

The protected area consists of the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban. — (FREEMAN)