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Lake
Leonard
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Location:
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07°24'N, l26°04'E; 60 km northeast of Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Mindanao. |
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Area:
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6 ha. |
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Altitude:
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c.800m. |
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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 tiny freshwater lake and associated marshes in the forested mountains of southeastern Mindanao, near the source of a tributary of the Hijo River. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of about 2,400 mm more or less evenly distributed throughout the year (Type IV). |
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Principal
vegetation:
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No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. Secondary forest, scrub and cultivation in surrounding areas. |
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Land
tenure:
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No information. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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None. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Land
use:
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Forestry throughout the water catchment area, and slash-and-burn farming, mainly for crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, coconuts, coffee and cacao, around the lake. Most of the cultivated land has been established at the expense of secondary forest. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | The edge of the lake is badly silted as a result of human activities on the upper slopes of the watershed, particularly road construction, shifting cultivation and logging. The disposal of mine tailings is also having a direct adverse impact on the lake's resources. The continued survival of Crocodylus mindorensis is highly precarious because of the present intensity of human activities within the watershed; the major threats to the species are accelerated siltation in the lake, poaching, pollution from pesticides and the destruction of the natural vegetation on the lake shore. |
| Economic and social values: | No information. |
| Fauna: | Fishes include Anguila pacifica, Clarias batrachus, Glossogobius giurus, Ophicephalus striatus and Tilapia mossambica. The endangered Philippine Crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis occurs at the lake during the breeding season in July, August and September. The surrounding forests support a very diverse avifauna including many of the species endemic to the Philippines. |
| Special floral values: | No information. |
| Research and facilities: | Synergistics Consultants (1980). |
| References: | |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b, 2a, 2b. |
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Source:
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Haribon Foundation. |