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Lake
Danao
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Location:
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10°40'N, 124°20'E; in the northern part of Pacijan Island, one of the Camotes Islands east of Cebu Island, Cebu Province. |
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Area:
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260 ha. |
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Altitude:
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c.5m. |
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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, about 5 km long, with no definite outlet; the largest freshwater lake in Cebu Province. Most of the original vegetation has disappeared, and even the small islet in the lake has been planted with coconuts. The only remaining area of aquatic vegetation is on the east side of the lake, where the water is shallow and there is a dense growth of submerged vegetation. The lake is fed by local run-off and is uniformly shallow with an average depth of 3m; it fills up during periods of heavy rainfall to a maximum depth of 5.lm, and recedes again during dry periods to a minimum depth of l.lm. The average values for dissolved oxygen, pH and total hardness (SBV) are 5.0 p.p.m., 8.2 and 1.7, respectively. |
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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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Pistia stratiotes, Panicum hemizomon, Hydrilla sp and Eichhornia crassipes; plantations of coconuts and corn fields in surrounding areas. |
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Land
tenure:
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State owned (public land). |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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The site was declared a Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary under Administrative Order No.1 dated 24 December 1965. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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A proposal has recently been prepared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to increase staffing at the Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary from two to five. |
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Land
use:
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Fishing, mainly for species of Tilapia, Cyprinus carpio and Chanos chanos, and to a lesser extent for Glossogobius giurus, Clarias sp and freshwater shrimps; cultivation of coconuts and corn in surrounding areas. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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There is a proposal to develop parts of the lake for brackishwater aquaculture. |
| Disturbances and threats: | Although the lake has been designated as a Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, there is no effective protection, and there exists a possibility that fish pens and fish cages will be constructed in the lake. |
| Economic and social values: | The lake supports a very rich fishery, and most of the local residents are dependent on this resource for their subsistence. |
| Fauna: | The rich fish fauna includes Tilapia spp, Cyprinus carpio, Chanos chanos, Glossogobius giurus and Clarias sp. A wide variety of waterfowl occur including Tachybaptus ruficollis, Egretta intermedia, Ardea purpurea and Dendrocygna arcuata. The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus formerly occurred at the lake; Groombridge (1982) reports that the population was still healthy in 1978, but according to other reports, the last individual was killed in 1971. Monitor lizards Varanus sp do still occur. |
| Special floral values: | Several rare orchids and a variety of herbs of medicinal value grow along the shore of the lake. |
| Research and facilities: | The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has carried out some studies of the fish resources, and the Asian Wetland Bureau Philippines surveyed in lake in April 1988. |
| References: | Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (1980, 1983 & 1984-85); Groombridge (1982). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b. |
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Source:
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Haribon Foundation and Perla M. Magsalay. |