|
Hijo
River
|
|
|
Location:
|
07°15'-07°32'N, 125°50'-126°05'E; 50 km northeast of Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Mindanao. |
|
Area:
|
58,200 ha. |
|
Altitude:
|
500-1,000m. |
|
Biogeographical
Province:
|
4.26.12. |
|
Wetland
type:
|
11 & 12. |
|
Description
of site:
|
The upper basin of the Hijo River, including the Masara River, Balite Creek, Lingdan River, Calmah Creek, Magdaum Creek and many smaller rivers and streams, in the mountains of southeastern Mindanao. The Hijo River eventually flows south into Davao Gulf. The flow of water is relatively stable throughout the year because of the even distribution of the precipitation. The pH values range from 7.6 to 8.5. |
|
Climatic
conditions:
|
Humid tropical climate with the rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year (Type IV). The average annual rainfall is approximately 2,400 mm; the mean monthly temperatures vary from a high of 24°C in May to a low of 21°C in January, and the mean relative humidity is 82%. The area is almost free of typhoons. |
|
Principal
vegetation:
|
No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. The terrestrial vegetation includes logged-over dipterocarp forest, secondary forest, secondary scrub and cultivation. |
|
Land
tenure:
|
Some 648 ha of the watershed are under concession to the North Davao Mining Corporation. |
|
Conservation
measures taken:
|
None. |
|
Conservation
measures proposed:
|
|
|
Land
use:
|
The water catchment area includes 14,601 ha of cultivated land, 411 ha of grassland, 41,154 ha of forest, 1,698 ha of secondary scrub and 318 ha of developed land. |
|
Possible
changes in land use:
|
Approximately 8% of the Hijo River basin will be affected by the mining operations of the North Davao Mining Corporation. |
| Disturbances and threats: | Mining activities and the disposal of mine tailings. |
| Economic and social values: | No information. |
| Fauna: | Fish species include Osphronemus gourami, Trichogaster pectoralis and Anguilla sp. The forests support a large variety of mammals, birds and reptiles including many of the species endemic to Mindanao and the Philippines. |
| Special floral values: | No information. |
| Research and facilities: | |
| References: | Synergistic Consultants (1981). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b, 2b. |
|
Source:
|
Haribon Foundation. |