The Philippine Wetlands in the South China Sea

Balabac Island

General Information
Province	Palawan
Municipality	Balabac
Area	35,277 ha
Coordinates	7°57' N 117° 01'E
Altitude	567 masl
*Biological Diversity*
Land Cover	Little forest cover is reportedly remaining on the island
Forest Cover Type	lowland forest
Major Endemic	Several mammals endemic to Palawan faunal region are known to occur in the area, including Palawan shrew Crocidura palawanensis, Palawan tree shrew Tupaia palawanensis and Palawan flying fox Acerodon leucotis. Endemic amphibians on the other hand include Brown-striped tree frog Polypedates macrotis, Rough-skinned tree frog Philautus longicrus and South-East Asian wood frog Rana sanguinea.
Restricted Range, Endangered and Threatened Species Fauna	Ducula pickeringii, Cacatua haematuropygia, Prioniturus platenae, Otus fuliginosus, Anthracoceros marchei, Chloropsis palawanensis, Copsychus niger, Malacocincla cinereiceps, Malacopteron palawanense, Ptilocichla falcata, Cyornis lemprieri, Parus amabilis, Prionochilus plateni, Eretmochelys imbricata, Crocodylus porosus
Intervention
Existing status of legislation	Proclaimed as a Marine Reserve / Tourist Zone in 1978 by Proc. No. 1801
Conservation Status	Not officially protected under the NIPAS
Research Needs	There is insufficient data about the Balabac Group of Islands socio-economic pressures that affect its biodiversity.
Source of information	Directory of Philippine Wetlands Vol I & II, PBCPP, Philippines National Report on Wetlands