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Lake
Balanan
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Location:
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9°07'N, 123°01'E; in the mountains near the extreme southern tip of Negros Island, 5 km north of Siaton, Negros Oriental Province. |
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Area:
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Unknown. |
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Altitude:
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1,000m. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. |
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Wetland
type:
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14. |
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Description
of site:
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A freshwater lake in the forested mountains of southern Negros, with a shape resembling a figure of eight, the narrowest point between the two main portions of the lake being only 90 metres wide. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, and is fed by three streams, two of which rise on Lamaraw Mountain and the third on Anupugan Mountain. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with two pronounced seasons, a dry season from November to April and a wet season for the rest of the year (Type I). |
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Principal
vegetation:
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No information is available on the aquatic vegetation; surrounding areas are covered in luxuriant tropical rain forest. |
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Land
tenure:
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The area is Public Domain. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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The lake and surrounding forests are currently being managed as a Watershed Area by the Bureau of Forest Development. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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A proposal has been made to designate the area as a Game Refuge and Wildlife Sanctuary to protect the large population of bats and other wildlife. This proposal was endorsed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 7, in January 1987. |
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Land
use:
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Subsistence and commercial fishing, and public water supply; extraction of timber, slash-and-burn farming and cultivation of vegetables and other cash crops in surrounding areas. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | Slash-and-burn farming is having a detrimental effect on the region as a whole. |
| Economic and social values: | The lake is an important source of water, and its fishery provides a source of income for the local inhabitants. |
| Fauna: | A wide variety of waterfowl have been recorded including herons, egrets, ducks, rails and gallinules. |
| Special floral values: | No information. |
| Research and facilities: | Cadelina et al. (1985) carried out a study of the socio-economic importance of the lake for local inhabitants. |
| References: | Cadelina et al. (1985). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b. |
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Source:
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Perla M. Magsalay. |