Species and Ecosystem Diversity in Protected Areas
Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (BPLS)
Mount Iraya is the principal watershed of the Island. At an altitude of 50-100 m.a.s.l. is a dense
thicket composed of species characteristic of regenerating or disturbed primary forest. The species
found in this area are: Pterocarpus indicus, Boerlagiodendron pectinatus, Neonauclea reticulata,
Villebrunnea trinervis (abundant), Mallotus ricinioides (abundant), Homalium multiflorum (few),
Radermachera fenicis, Wendlandia luzonensis (few), Ficus garcis (few), Cyathea llepifera,
Stephania japonica (few), Deeringia polysperma (few), Cynanchum linkiuense (few), Cyclea
insularis var, luxurians (few). A dense mat of the giant reed Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus
is found at the upper part of Mount Iraya.
Mount Materem (459 m.a.s.l.), smaller than Mount Iraya, has a richer plant species composition and
trees on its lower slopes are taller, reaching to 20 m or more. Several species such as Ardisia
confertiflora and Ficus nitida are common on Mount Matarem but are rarely found on Mount Iraya.
Endemic birds in the BPLS include Rallina curizonoides alverzi from Batan; Treron formosae filipina
from Camiguin, Batan, Sabtang and Ibuhos Islands. Two newly described species of lizards, Draco
jarecki, a flying lizard, and Lepidodactylus balioburius, a gecko, and an undescribed species of
snake, Lycodon, are also found in Batan Island.
Coastal and marine plants are dominated by macrobenthic seaweeds. A total of 47 species, 20
species of green seaweeds (Chlorophyta), nine species of brown seaweeds (Phaeophyta), and 18
species of red seaweeds (Rhodophyta), are reported.
