Arvin C. Diesmos

Conservation of Herpetofaunal Communities in Fragmented Lowland Rainforests in the Philippines

The status of threatened (IUCN) species of frogs, lizards, and snakes found in the fragments will be assessed. This project aims to determine the minimum area of habitat that is critical in maintaining optimum levels of diversity and abundance of herpetofaunal communities in this region of Southeast Asia. In general, the discipline of habitat fragmentation research is grossly understudied in Southeast Asia where, ironically, the highest rates of forest fragmentation and destruction are occurring. The impacts of this phenomenon to the biodiversity of the region, thus, cannot be over emphasized.

This study is expected to contribute significantly in further understanding the patterns of herpetofaunal species diversity and abundance to varying habitat quality, degrees of disturbances, and sizes of forest remnants. In addition, it will generate critical information on the ecological and geographic distributions of species in a fragmented landscape. Conservation strategies include training of local stakeholders in biodiversity surveys and monitoring, conservation awareness programs, and information dissemination campaigns. Results will be integrated into the management plan of this biologically important area of the Philippines. Information that will begenerated from the study will enrich the conservation knowledge base in the Philippines and in Tropical Asia as a whole.