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Davao
Gulf
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Location:
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6°35'N, 125°23'E to 7°22'N, 125°50'E; the western shore of Davao Gulf from its northern extremity to the region of Pedada, Davao City and Davao del Sur Province, Mindanao. |
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Area:
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c.120 km of coastline. |
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Altitude:
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Sea level. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. |
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Wetland
type:
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01, 02, 05, 06, 07 & 10. |
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Description
of site:
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A large sheltered sea bay consisting of several smaller bays with mangrove swamps and intertidal sand flats and mudflats. Much of the mangrove has been converted to aquaculture ponds, but there remains a narrow fringe along most of the coast and there are still extensive areas in some protected bays and along river channels. The major rivers entering the bay are the Sumlug, Tagum, Davao and Pedada. The water is saline and the maximum tidal variation is l.75m. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with the rainfall more or less evenly distributed throughout the year (Type IV). |
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Principal
vegetation:
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Mangrove forest dominated by Sonneratia alba, Avicennia marina, A. officinalis and Rhizophora mucronata. Less common species include Ceriops tagal, Schyphiflora hydrophyllacea, Xylocarpus mollucensis, X. granatum, Rhizophora apiculata, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Bruguiera parviflora, Acanthus illicifolius. Heritiera littoralis, Aegicus sp and Casuarina equesetifolia. There are plantations of Cocos nucifera and agricultural crops in adjacent areas. |
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Land
tenure:
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A mixture of state and private ownership. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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A small farm west of Davao City is maintained by the owner, Mr Donego, as a private wildlife sanctuary. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Howes (1987) recommends that further surveys be carried out to determine the importance of the Gulf for migratory shorebirds, and to identify mangrove areas suitable for reafforestation, management and protection. |
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Land
use:
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Offshore fishing in the Gulf, and aquaculture in areas cleared of mangroves agriculture and some prospecting for gold in adjacent areas. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | Increased industrial development near Davao City poses a threat of pollution, especially from mercury which is used in gold processing. Increased forest clearance in the water catchment area, particularly in the Mount Apo region, is likely to have an adverse effect on the coastal wetlands, and there is a possibility that more mangroves will be cleared for aquaculture ponds. |
| Economic and social values: | A very important area for fisheries production, supplying the local markets in and around Davao City. Also a popular area for outdoor recreation, particularly scuba diving on the coral reefs off Alabat Island. |
| Fauna: | An important feeding area for egrets and ducks, and an important staging area for migratory shorebirds. In May 1987, Howes (1987) visited four sites and observed small numbers of Egretta eulophotes, E. garzetta, E. intermedia, 445 Dendrocygna arcuata, 26 Anas luzonica and 675 shorebirds of 17 species including Numenius madagascariensis. The private sanctuary on the Donego farm supports small numbers of Dendrocygna arcuata, Anas luzonica and other waterfowl. |
| Special floral values: | Some of the small patches of mangrove forest support a very diverse mangrove flora. |
| Research and facilities: | The Davao del Sur School of Fisheries at Malalag has carried out research on the fisheries, and several shorebird surveys were conducted in 1986 and 1987 by Ingle, Howes and others. |
| References: | Ingle (1986); Howes (1987). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b, 1e, 2a, 2c, 3b. |
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Source:
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John R. Howes. |