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Agusan
Marsh
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Location:
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8°00'-8°19'N, l25°52'-126°02'E; near Bunawan in the interior of northeastern Mindanao Island, Agusan del Sur Province. |
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Area:
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89,359 ha. |
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Altitude:
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c.55m. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. |
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Wetland
type:
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10, 11, 13, 14, 15 & 19. |
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Description
of site:
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A vast complex of freshwater marshes and water courses with numerous small shallow lakes and ponds in the upper basin of the Agusan River and its tributaries. The maximum depth of water is 4m. Some parts of the marsh have been converted into fish ponds and rice paddies. The rivers rise in the hills of eastern Mindanao and cause extensive flooding in the marshes from November to March. The drainage is north via the Agusan River into Butuan Bay. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 2,750 mm. The rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year (Type III). |
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Principal
vegetation:
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Freshwater marshes with Cyperus spp, Typha sp and Phragmites sp; secondary growth dipterocarp forest, scrub and cultivated land (mainly rice paddies) in surrounding areas. |
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Land
tenure:
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State owned (public land). |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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The wetland has been declared a "reserved area". |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Ross (1984) has suggested that the area could be made into a crocodile sanctuary if the local inhabitants could be convinced that they could ranch or crop crocodiles on a sustained yield basis. Parts of the water catchment area have been proposed as protected areas to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation. The Bureau of Forest Development has recommended that an area of 5,363 ha be designated as a reserve for the reintroduction of the Eastern Sarus Crane Grus antigone sharpii. |
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Land
use:
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Fishing, some aquaculture and agriculture (mainly rice and cash crops). The region is sparsely populated because of the annual flooding of the Agusan River. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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Proposed development projects in the water catchment area include the construction of dams and reservoirs for hydro-electric, flood control and irrigation purposes. |
| Disturbances and threats: | Parts of the marsh have already been converted into aquaculture ponds and agricultural land, and large-scale drainage is being considered. The crocodiles are heavily persecuted. Clear-cutting of forests in the water catchment area has resulted in severe flooding and increased rates of sedimentation in the wetland. |
| Economic and social values: | The wetland supports a small subsistence fishery, and is an important source of water for irrigation. |
| Fauna: | An important
area for a variety of waterbirds, notably herons and egrets such as Bubulcus
ibis (over 500), Ardea purpurea and A. cinerea (over 200).
The Eastern Sarus Crane Grus antigone sharpii, now extinct in the
Philippines, was last recorded in Agusan Marsh in 1965. The marshes support the largest population of the Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus remaining in the Philippines, and it is thought that the endangered Philippine Crocodile C. mindorensis may also be present. |
| Special floral values: | No information. |
| Research and facilities: | Some studies have been carried out by the Forest Research Institute, North Central Mindanao Forest Research Center, Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Development Project and Bureau of Forest Development. Ross (1984) gathered some information on the crocodile population. However, the area remains very poorly known and is especially worthy of further study. |
| References: | Anon (1977b & 1983); Ross (1984). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b, 2a, 2b. |
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Source:
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Haribon Foundation, Simplicia N. Alonzo-Pasicolan and Perla M. Magsalay. |