The Philippines-Endagered Forest
The Philippines is not just one island but 7,100 that are part of this hotspot. Sadly only 7% of forest is left and these are fragmented pieces at that. With the rich biological diversity they have some amazing species including the second largest eagle in the world and the panther flying frog.
Tropical rainforest
Forests in the tropics have a rich biodiversity. More than half of all the plants and animals in the world are to be found in the rainforests. More than 3500 species of plants and animals! The constantly high temperatures and the continuously high humidity in the tropics make this biodiversity possible. The temperature is in most tropical rainforests between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius.
Threats
Unfortunately, the forests are threatened. Worldwide only 20 percent of the original tropical forests is left. The main reasons are the commercial logging and the cutting of trees by local people, who need plots for agriculture activities
In 2001 less than 8 % of the country was covered by original tropical rainforest! Less than 100 years ago this was still 70 %! The deforestation has to be stopped to save the biodiversity and the productivity of the forest as a natural resource. If not, there will be no rainforest left within 15 years.
Exploring the tropical rainforest in the Philippines
Though much of the rainforest has already been lost, there are still good possibilities to explore the rainforest in the Philippines. The best possibilities to explore tropical rainforest in the Philippines are on the islands Bohol, Mindanao and Palawan. These are the islands where still a big part of the original jungle is conserved. Several organizations organize day-trips into the jungle. However, to meet the animals of your choice is not so easy. Species are often rare and animals are most of the time hiding when they hear strange noise.
Which animals you’ll meet on your discovery trip in the jungle?
Big chance that you will hear and see birds, monkeys and insects. Maybe snakes too! With a good guide you’ll be probably lucky not only to hear the animal sounds, but to see the animals too.
The Philippines-Endagered Forest