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Talabong
Island and Bais Bay
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Location:
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9°34'N, 123°10'E; on the southeast coast of Negros Island, 5 km north of Tanjay, Negros Oriental Province. |
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Area:
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6,400 ha (Talabong Island 209 ha). |
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Altitude:
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Sea level. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. |
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Wetland
type:
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01, 02, 03, 06 & 07. |
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Description
of site:
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Talabong Island is a low-lying island completely covered by mangrove forest; it lies to the southeast of Dewey/Dacu Island, and with this higher island, separates North Bais Bay from South Bais Bay. The island is named after the herons, locally known as "Talabong", which occur there. The Panamangan River and two smaller rivers flow into Ban Bay, and there are large areas of intertidal mudflats, sand flats and coral reefs in both sections of the bay. Salinities range from 28-33 p.p.t. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with the seasons not very pronounced; relatively dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year. |
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Principal
vegetation:
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Mangrove forest dominated by species of Rhizophora, Avicennia and Sonneratia, and nipa palms Nypa fruticans in the estuaries. Twenty-six species of marine benthic algae have been found in South Bais Bay, including nine species of red algae (Rhodophyceae), 12 species of green algae (Clorophyceae), three species of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) and two species of blue-green algae (Cynnophyceae). The dominant plants in surrounding areas include Cocos nucifera, Leucaena leucocephala, L. glauca, Bambusa blumeana and a variety of common shrubs. |
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Land
tenure:
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The site is owned by the Local Authority; surrounding areas are privately owned. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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The commercial exploitation of timber has been prohibited. In November 1985, the Bureau of Forest Development, Region 7, and the Local Government of the City of Bais signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the joint protection and management of the area. Forest guards have since been employed to warden the area. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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A proposal has been made to declare the area as a Game Refuge and Wildlife Sanctuary. The Bureau of Forest Development has outlined a development plan for the site in a Memo dated 10 July 1986, and there are plans to construct a viewing area for local visitors and tourists. |
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Land
use:
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Fishing, cutting of mangroves for local use, and marine research; agriculture, aquaculture and recreational activities in adjacent areas. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | The destruction of mangroves continues, and there is a danger of over-exploitation of the marine resources of the bay. The site is threatened by pollution from effluents from the pulp and paper mills at Bais Sugar Central. |
| Economic and social values: | Approximately 30% of the total population of the region depend on the wetland for their livelihood. The mangrove forests also serve a valuable function in protecting Bais City from strong winds and marine pollution. |
| Fauna: | A very important spawning and nursery ground for both inshore and pelagic species of fishes, crabs, shrimps, other crustaceans and molluscs. The area also supports large numbers of herons, egrets, ducks, shorebirds and mangrove forest birds. |
| Special floral values: | No information. |
| Research and facilities: | Some marine research has been conducted in the area. |
| References: | Alcala & Alcazar (1984). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b, 1e, 2c, 3b. |
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Source:
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Haribon Foundation and Perla M. Magsalay. |