Lake Bito
Location:	10°47'N, 124°59'E; 7 km NNW of Abuyog in east-central Leyte, Leyte Province.
Area:	126 ha.
Altitude:	10m.
Biogeographical Province:	4.26.12.
Wetland type:	14.
Description of site:	A small freshwater lake and associated marshes in low hills in east-central Leyte. The lake is fed by several small streams and local run-off; it has a maximum depth of 15m, a pH value of 7.0, an average dissolved oxygen value of 7.8 p.p.m., and an average total hardness (SBV) of 1.6.
Climatic conditions:	Humid tropical climate with no dry season, but a very pronounced period of maximum rainfall from November to January (Type II).
Principal vegetation:	Ipomoea reptans and the filamentous alga Cladophora sp; rice paddies, pandanus and some fruit trees in surrounding areas.
Land tenure:	The lake is owned by the Local Authority. The surrounding land is partly owned by the Local Authority and partly by private individuals.
Conservation measures taken:	None.
Conservation measures proposed:
Land use:	Fishing with fish pens and fish traps, mainly for Tilapia sp and Chanos chanos. Cultivation of rice, coconuts and root crops in surrounding areas.
Possible changes in land use:
Disturbances and threats:	The major threats to the lake are slash-and-burn farming in the catchment area, hunting and the illegal use of dynamite for fishing.
Economic and social values:	The site is important for outdoor recreation and supports a locally important fishery.
Fauna:	The lake supports a rich fish fauna including Chanos chanos, Tilapia sp, Ophicephalus striatus and Glossogobius giurus. The freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium sp also occurs. Some waterfowl use the lake, mainly grebes (Podicipedidae) and herons (Ardeidae).
Special floral values:	None known.
Research and facilities:
References:	Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (1984-85).
Criteria for inclusion:	1b.
Source:	Haribon Foundation and Perla M. Magsalay.