Additions to the website: 10th January 2005
Added to website: 10 January 2005
- 2nd Danjugan Island Biodiversity Survey (Terrestrial)
- 2004, 54 pages, 352 KB
Summary
This report outlines the results of the terrestrial biodiversity survey programme that was conducted during the course of a six-week expedition between April and June 2004, on Danjugan Island.
This is the second collaborative terrestrial survey programme between Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) and the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (PRRCFI) based on Danjugan Island, Philippines. The first terrestrial programme was conducted between June and September 2001 and was the first integrated and quantitative survey of the biodiversity of Danjugan Island (Turner et al., 2002a).
This follow up assessment consolidates previous work from the 2001 project as well as expanding and enhancing the previous data sets. Bird and bat surveys similar to those in 2001 were carried out, allowing results to be compared over the 3-year period and providing for sound comparisons of ecological change. In addition, in depth studies were initiated, focusing on mangrove communities within the lagoons present on Danjugan.
This report presents both survey results of bird and bat fauna and detailed work into the ecological patterns of mangrove distribution across the island’s 6 lagoons. Furthermore, detailed assessments of the individuals comprising the mangal community at each lagoon has been made, allowing representative maps of each lagoon and associated mangal communities to be produced. Finally CCC staff set up a mangrove nursery on the island comprising 2000+ seeds of the following species: Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Xylocarpus granatum, which is managed by PRRCFI.
The results highlight an increase in the bird inventory record, with several new bird species recorded, including three endemics and two IUCN red listed species; the Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula poliocephala) and the Rufous-lored Kingfisher (Halcyon winchelli). Bat species identified included all previously known and recorded species. Mangrove research identifies age classes and dominant species and species distribution mapping of each lagoon.
The results of the latest work confirm that Danjugan Island is an important site for mangrove communities and a vital refuge for many endemic and threatened bird species. These new survey results support previous results, contributing seven new bird species records to the island. Additionally previous results highlighted that the island is of national and global importance for certain bat species for example Pteropus pumilus. These issues are discussed in the context of the conservation value of the island and the need for further research to ensure sustainable management of the island.
