Save the Philippine forest in order to save the Philippine Eagle and our wildlife.

Sorry to inform you all that I had to change the video clip from BBC Wildlife Specials because it was blocked. The new video posted is a portion of the original clip that I posted. (posted by iyakabud on youtube last Jan 28, 2007)

video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K_G6xQGduw

Climate Map within our 7,107 islands.

As diverse as our culture, dialect, ethnicity , history, religion, topographic and geographic locations, biodiversity and natural wonders, yes, this country of ours also possess different climate types. Climate in the Philippines is classified into (4) four different types as illustrated from the map shown.

According to the book Philippine Orchids by Reg S. Davis and Mona Lisa Steiner, "These four climatic zones owe their existence and differences to the trade winds, equatorial calms and the geographical bearing and height of the prominent mountains and mountain ranges of the Islands. Most of the Philippines lies within the trade-wind belt. The exception is the southern half of the Island of Mindanao which is within the area influenced by the tropical calms. From August to December the portion of the archipelago above Leyte and Cebu is frequently exposed to typhoons, the cyclonic storms which originate in the vast Pacific Ocean area east of the Philippines. These storms travel on courses toward the Asiatic coast, often crossing central and northern Luzon and, on occasions, the southern Islands. The typhoons bring torrential downpours and, as a result, the precipitation within the Philippines varies from 61 inches per year in the Cebu area, which experiences few typhoons, to as much as 176 inches per year around Baguio, where the maximum number of typhoons are encountered."

This is one major factor why the Philippines as small as it is, is so blessed with various species of plants, trees and wildlife. Likewise, if you are about to plant something in your garden, try to think of this map and analyze whether it is suitable for your type of climate.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Philippine_climate_map.png

Philippine Forest Near Extinction (1900-2000)

One hundred (centennial) years has passed based from the maps shown here. Look at what is left of the country's virgin rainforest. Do you realize how many threatened species (both our flora and fauna) are facing extinction? Do you realize that we have altered the balance of our environment and that we may never bring it back?

It is the year 2010. What do you think will the next updated Philippine forest cover map show?

sources: http://bioval.jrc.ec.europa.eu/products/veget_map_insulare-sea/insularSEasia.php

http://essc.org.ph/content/view/30/46/

I'LL TRADE YOU MY ANTIPOLO SEEDLINGS.

Name: ANTIPOLO

Scientific Name: Artocarpus Blancoi

Family: MORACEAE

Origin: The seeds were collected from a medium sized mature tree found growing on the slopes of a mountain in Laguna. (see picture of mother tree shown from previous blog)

Uses: Lumber and furniture, seeds are edible and also eaten by wildlife

Quantity: 5pcs.

Height: 6inches - 1 1/2 ft.

Duklitan (Planchonella nitida) for Swapping!

SWAP NOW!
SEEDLINGS

Name: DUKLITAN
Scientific Name: Planchonella nitida (Pouteria duclitan)
Family: SAPOTACEAE


Origin: Seeds collected from a large and mature mother tree found near a creek in Laguna
Uses: Lumber, shade tree, fruits are eaten by bats and other wildlife
Quantity: 8pcs.
Height: 4-6 inches tall

HAUILI (Ficus septica) - A very prolific fig.

Have you ever wondered what kind of tree this is growing within cracks of cemented structures or deserted and unmaintained areas? It is a fig tree! Although it is not the type of strangler fig such as the Balete tree that envelops it's host tree until such a time when the host tree cannot sustain itself due to insufficient light and nourishment. This is the type which grows as a small tree without the aerial roots typical in other species of fig trees.

It is locally called Hauili or Ficus septica, which belongs to the family MORACEAE. It is one of the easiest genus to propagate from stem cuttings and seeds dispersal such as bird excrement, provided that fertile seeds have been developed and pollinated by wasps which cater specifically for this type of tree. It is one of the most prolific species that I have observed and is widely distributed throughout the country, especially within Manila (capital of the Philippines).

Inset photos were taken earlier this day from within our property and our neighbor's planter, which obviously have been neglected, leaving the young Hauili tree to develop.

MOUNTAINEER'S MOTTO + Some Unsolicited Advice.

When I was still in college, I remember joining the mountaineering club among other organizations. I remember jogging around the inner periphery of the university campus in order to qualify some endurance test. My ever protective mom was fearful at the time, because a few montaineers were reported over the television to have died from Mt. Apo (tallest mountain in the Philippines) due to hypothermia and so my mom could not be persuaded to sign the parents waiver of my joining the mountaineers club, my first climb to Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu, Batangas. Luckily, my persistence payed off since I was able to get my dad's signature instead. Hehehehe....... I know I can be hard headed at times.

Anyway, the leaders of the hike taught us many things. They taught the whole group how to watch over one another, do's and don'ts of a mountaineer or hiker and most important of all is their motto or slogan which says, "Kill nothing but time; Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but footprints".

However, there are instances wherein certain considerations must be done for the common good. For some people who are into conservation and preservation especially our Philippine flora and fauna, specimen collection must be done with good intentions in order to help preserve and propagate the dwindling population of species in the wild, especially now that so little of our virgin forest remains. For if in case such population of wild species become extinct, propagated species from private collections can be reintroduced in the wild to restock what was lost.

Lastly, my advice to collector's is to 1) Do your research. 2) Do not hoard so that wild specimens can replenish their population. 3) Do not destroy the natural habitat or environment of the flora or fauna when collecting specimens. 4) Give respect to all living things great and small. They too have a place in this planet we call Earth.

TALISAI-GUBAT MASSACRE. WHEN WILL THE KILLING STOP?

I just found out last week that another mother tree, particularly the only mature Talisai-gubat (Terminalia foetidissima) tree that I am aware of has been cut down. The tree which I usually visit on a regular basis is situated inside a private property where lush undergrowth of wild plants meet with lansones and rambutan trees/seedlings for a converted fruit orchard. Other trees of mature status within the area have also been logged previously to make way for the said fruit trees. Another mother tree is lost!

I have observed that owners/tenants of private lands within this area of Laguna annually clear their land on the onset of the rainy season to make way for their orchards, vegetable crops, timber needs or infrastructure. Whichever purpose it is, native forest trees, the undergrowth plants, vines and epiphytes are all wiped away and cleared, leaving the soil exposed to the elements of wind, sun and rain, thus disrupting the natural ecosystem of the said area. Moisture is lost from intense heat during summer months. Soil erosion will be the lands demise during the rainy season. It seems that destruction and degradation of our lands is a never ending story.

If you ask me, forest trees and commercial crops can co-exist together. Of course light requirements will be an issue, but pruning will be a much better alternative solution than killing hundred year old trees. The trees help protect the land from the harsh elements of the environment. They will act as wind breaker, source of a myriad of uses such as food and medicinal needs and especially our oxygen needs. They help filter the pollution from water and the very air we breathe. They were here before we were born. Doesn't it count for something?

DAO MASSACRE. (Reminiscing the Times We Shared)

It is a sad sad sight to see that this lone Dao tree inside a private lot near the intersection of Bay going to Calauan, Laguna had been chopped down. I only discovered this incident about 1 month ago, when I passed this area and noticed that the mature tree that I had been checking out to admire was missing. The tree that I used to admire so dearly was fenced by a property wall and the gate to the property. And so I usually see the mid portion up to the top from the distance of the road as I drove by the area. Now it is gone!

I can still remember the day Dao (Dracontomelon dao) and I met. It was a typical afternoon of December of 2007 that I decided to stop by this property to take a closer look at the unknown tree that has caught my attention. I stopped by the roadside and went to the gate. Seeing that the gate was open and nobody was answering to my constant call and knocking, I entered to investigate if there was anybody that I can find...... The chained dog was already barking as of this time. Soon somebody came out of the door from the small dilapidated house just beyond. I asked the old lady what kind of tree it was, but she didn't know anything about it. I asked if i could come in to inspect the tree and so she humbly obliged.

This tree that stood near the gate was unique in it's own right. It was the first time that I've seen anything of it's kind and deep in my heart I knew that it is native to our country.

I visited this particular tree every now and then for months and years even, until someone from the tenants of the house was able to give me a name....... "Dao ang tawag diyan", the man replied to me. We went to where the tree was standing and to my surprise, a few small rounded yellow fruits were scattered on the gound.