Diversity assessment and listing of birds in Mt. Santo Tomas Forest Reserve in Tuba, Benguet Northern Philippines

Abstract The study identified, listed, and determined birds’ eco classes, conservation status, relative abundance, and endemism while quantifying and comparing species diversity, richness, evenness, and community composition among agricultural areas, pine and mossy forests in Mt. Santo Tomas Forest Reserve in Tuba, Benguet, Northern Philippines. Forty-one species of birds under twenty-five families were listed and identified within the agricultural lands, mossy, and pine forests. Twenty-two bird species are endemic (53.66%) or only found in the Philippines, indicating high endemism in the forest reserve. Of the endemic bird species, two are classified as vulnerable and threatened. Incidentally, ranks 6 and 7 of the ten must-see bird species in the Philippines were also found in the mossy Reserve Forest. The two are the scale feathered malkoha, and the forest spotted kingfisher. Although there were significant differences in species diversity, richness, and evenness among the agricultural areas, pine, and mossy forests, all values are considered high. The high endemism and diversity of birds, their species richness, evenness, and abundance are indicators that Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve’s vegetation is still diverse and stable. Therefore, we recommend that the Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve Management Council, led by the DENR and Local Government units of Tuba Benguet to continue implementing adequate protection and conservation measures and management strategies.