Lake Buhi
Location:
13°28'N, 123°30'E; 40 km southeast of Naga, Camarines Sur Province, southeastern Luzon.
Area:
1,707 ha.
Altitude:
c.120m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.26.12.
Wetland type:
14.
Description of site:
A freshwater lake and associated marshes, almost surrounded by hills rising to l,548m. The lake drains southwest into a tributary of the Bicol River. The average depth is 12m, and the bottom is loamy clay. The pH value is 6.3, and the average dissolved oxygen 10 p.p.m.
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:
The aquatic vegetation includes Hydrilla verticillata and Pistia stratiotes.
Land tenure:
No information.
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
 
Land use:
Fisheries production, the principal species being mudfish, catfish, tilapia, carp (Ophicephalus striatus, Clarias sp, Tilapia mossambica, Cyprinus carpio) and freshwater shrimps. Other species of commercial importance include gourami Gourami sp, plasalit Trichogaster pectoralis and climbing perch Anabas testudineus.
Possible changes in land use:
 
Disturbances and threats: No information.
Economic and social values: The lake supports an important fishery.
Fauna: The lake is noted for its endemic fish Mystichthys luzonensis, a small species only 12.5 cm in length, commercially known as "tabios" or "sinarapan"
Special floral values: None known.
Research and facilities: Some studies of the fisheries have been carried out by the Bicol River Basin Development Program in San Jose, Pili.
References: Rinconada Integrated Development Area Project Feasibility Study (1979).
Criteria for inclusion: 1b. 2d.
Source:
Haribon Foundation.