Simbahan–Talagas Protected Landscape

The Simbahan–Talagas Protected Landscape is a protected area in northern Aurora, Philippines that preserves a major watershed in the Sierra Madre mountain range of Central Luzon. It contains the headwaters of the Simbahan and Talagas rivers, including the Sangay River and Umihiem Creek in Dinalungan municipality which empty into the Casiguran Sound. A large portion of the park is under forest cover, while the remaining areas are cultivated land, shrubland, grassland, built-up area and river-wash area.[1] Some of the park's fauna include the Philippine deer, Philippine long-tailed macaque, and an abundant species of avifauna. Its location in north central Sierra Madre is covered by dipterocarp forest, composed of Shorea almon (Philippine mahogany), Shorea polysperma (tanguile), Shorea squamata (mayapis), Shorea contorta (white lauan), Shorea negrosensis (red lauan), and Parashorea malaanonan (bagtikan).[2]

Simbahan–Talagas Protected Landscape
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map showing the location of Simbahan–Talagas Protected Landscape
Map showing the location of Simbahan–Talagas Protected Landscape
Location in the Philippines
LocationAurora, Philippines
Nearest citySantiago
Coordinates16°7′35.4″N 121°53′7.44″E / 16.126500°N 121.8854000°E / 16.126500; 121.8854000
Area2,266.49 hectares (5,600.6 acres)
EstablishedMay 22, 1992 (Watershed forest reserve)
April 23, 2000 (Protected landscape)
Governing bodyDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources

First established as a watershed forest reserve in 1992, the 2,266.49-hectare (5,600.6-acre) park was upgraded to a protected landscape area in 2000.[3][4] It is one of five protected areas in the province of Aurora.

References edit

  1. ^ "Simbahan-Talagas River Protected Landscape". Philippine Biodiversity Partnerships. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Senate Bill No. 2020" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Proclamation No. 905, s. 1992" (PDF). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Proclamation No. 267, s. 2000". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 30 July 2015.