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Ajuy,
San Dionisio and Sara Wetlands
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Location:
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11°07'-11°23'N, 122°58-123°07'E; in the Municipalities of Ajuy, San Dionisio and Sara, near the east coast of Panay Island, Iloilo Province. |
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Area:
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45,000 ha. |
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Altitude:
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0-10m. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. |
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Wetland
type:
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10 & 19. |
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Description
of site:
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A large complex of fish ponds and rice paddies adjacent to the Sampunong Bob Bird Sanctuary, a 54 ha patch of secondary forest with a large breeding colony of herons. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with the seasons not very pronounced; relatively dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year (Type III). |
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Principal
vegetation:
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Rice paddies (Oryza saliva); plantations of Cocos nucifera, root crops and shrubbery in surrounding areas; grassland dominated by Imperata cylindrica on the hillsides around Sampunong Bob Bird Sanctuary. |
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Land
tenure:
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The wetlands are privately owned; surrounding areas are mainly privately owned. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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The wetlands are unprotected. The breeding colony of herons is protected in the Sampunong Bob Bird Sanctuary (54 ha), which is wardened by a forest guard. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Land
use:
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Cultivation of rice and aquaculture; agriculture and grazing of domestic livestock in surrounding areas. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | The major threats are the hunting of herons and other birds in their feeding areas, the uncontrolled burning of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), and the cutting of trees. |
| Economic and social values: | Fish and rice production. |
| Fauna: | The rice paddies and fish ponds provide a rich feeding area for about 100-150 pairs of Purple Herons Ardea purpurea which breed and roost in the Sampunong Bob Bird Sanctuary. The wetlands are also a feeding area for large numbers of egrets Egretta spp and presumably many other waterfowl. |
| Special floral values: | None known. |
| Research and facilities: | |
| References: | Magsalay et al. carried out a preliminary survey of the area in May 1987, and the Bureau of Forest Development is proposing to carry out a detailed study of the Purple Herons. |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1e, 2c, 3b. |
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Source:
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Perla M. Magsalay. |