Tropical Rainforest in the Philippines

TROPICAL RAINFOREST IN THE PHILIPPINES

by Antonio C. Antonio

May 25, 2014

The CARAGA Region in the Philippines is known as the “Timber Corridor” of the country.  The province in the region that has the biggest forest area is Surigao del Sur.

The Province of Surigao del Sur has an approximate total of 360,000 hectares of forest land.  Out of this total forest area, 64,000 hectares are protected forest while 260,000 hectares are production forest.  The general characteristics of forests in Surigao del Sur is “mossy” and the province still has vast areas of remaining “old growth” forests.

Old growth forests, also called virgin or primary forests, are classified as a climax community which exhibits unique ecological features.  Such ecological features include diverse tree-related structures that increase the biodiversity of a forest ecosystem.  Old growth forests also provide an ideal habitat against disturbances.  The normal and more common form of disturbance in the Philippines are typhoons which the province is rarely subjected to.  Lately, however, because of climate change (as experts declare), Typhoon Pablo wreaked havoc on the mid-south coastal towns of Surigao del Sur such as Baganga, Hinatuan and Lingig.

It is jokingly said that there are only two weather systems in Surigao del Sur… “wet” and “very wet.”  This is on account of the 8 or 9-month period of annual rain.  The more than normal amount of rainfall is never considered by the Surigaonons as a curse but a blessing.  The usual tendency of people living in such weather condition is to live sedentary lifestyles.  The people of Surigao del Sur have adapted to this weather system well enough that it does not bother them anymore as they go through their normal daily routines with raincoats and umbrellas are part of their fashion sense.  The more-than-normal amount of annual rainfall is the single-most-influential factor that supports biodiversity in the forest lands of the province of Surigao del Sur.

The forest structure in Surigao del Sur is characterized by multi-layered canopies.  Trees vary in height and mass (diameter) with countless species and classes of trees.  In areas where there are tree gaps, thick woody brushes are present.  On the other hand, in areas where the forest canopy is thick, the ground (under such canopy) is relatively clear with very minimal plants and vegetation.  In the higher elevation forests, the ground and tree base is characterized by the growth of thick green mosses.

Just my little thoughts…