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Lalaguna
Marsh
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Location:
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13°55'N, 122°13'E; near the southernmost tip of Lamon Bay, NNW of Lopez Municipality, Quezon Province, Luzon. | ||||||||
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Area:
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300 ha during the dry season, 500 ha during the wet season. | ||||||||
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Altitude:
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4m. | ||||||||
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. | ||||||||
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Wetland
type:
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15. | ||||||||
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Description
of site:
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An inland freshwater marsh with dense reed-beds and abundant growth of other aquatic vegetation. The maximum depth of water is 3m. During the dry season (February to April), the water level recedes and about one third of the marsh dries out. Some boat navigation is possible in cleared areas. | ||||||||
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with a pronounced period of maximum rainfall from November to January and a poorly defined dry season (Type II). | ||||||||
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Principal
vegetation:
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The dominant aquatic species are Scirpus grossus, Eichhornia crassipes, Ipomoea reptans and Phragmites communis. Coconut plantations and rice paddies are found in surrounding areas. | ||||||||
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Land
tenure:
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The marsh is state owned; surrounding areas are privately owned. | ||||||||
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Conservation
measures taken:
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An informal conservation awareness campaign was promoted in the area by the Forest Research Institute in 1979. | ||||||||
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Land
use:
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Fishing and harvesting of reeds (Phragmites) for basket-making and mat-weaving. Coconut plantations, rice paddies and residential sites in adjacent areas. | ||||||||
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | Uncontrolled shooting and trapping of waterfowl, especially ducks and rails, is having a detrimental effect on the populations, and dogs from nearby residential areas cause considerable disturbance to nesting birds. A proposal has been made to stock the marsh with exotic species of fish, and this could pose a threat to the native fish fauna. The clearing of old coconut plantations in the water catchment area has resulted in severe soil erosion and this has led to an increase in sedimentation in the marsh. | ||||||||
| Economic and social values: | The marsh provides an important source of fish for local inhabitants, and supports a small reed-cutting industry. | ||||||||
| Fauna: | An
important breeding and wintering area for a variety of waterfowl, especially
Ardeidae, Anatidae and Rallidae. Counts have included:
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| Special floral values: | None known. | ||||||||
| Research and facilities: | The Forest Research Institute conducted a census of game-birds in December 1981 (Fabellar, 1983). | ||||||||
| References: | Fabellar (1983). | ||||||||
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b. 2b, 3b. | ||||||||
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Source:
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Simplicia N. Alonzo-Pasicolan and Haribon Foundation. | ||||||||