Faunal Diversity and Habitat Associations in Mt. Arayat Protected Landscape, Luzon, Philippines

Abstract

Mountain ecosystems support rich biodiversity due to varied terrain, microclimates, and habitats, fostering endemism and specialization. However, these same traits make them vulnerable to human activities and climate change. Mt. Arayat Protected Landscape (MAPL) in Central Luzon, Philippines, features diverse lowland and montane forests. Despite its protected status and ecological importance, comprehensive faunal studies especially those assessing multiple faunal groups and their ecological roles remain limited. This study conducted a multi-taxa faunal survey in 36 quadrats across the northern and southern slopes of MAPL throughout both wet and dry seasons, focusing on five important groups: detritivores, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. A total of 2,359 individual creatures have been identified. The location has a high species richness, as indicated by a Shannon Index of 4.001 and Simpson's richness Index of 0.972. The prominent and ecologically significant species were Rattus everetti, Diacamma australe, Platymantis mimulus, Lanius cristatus, and Pinoyscincus jagori. The faunal composition was a mix of disturbance-tolerant generalists and habitat-sensitive endemics. Migratory bird species, such as Lanius cristatus and Pericrocotus divaricatus, emphasized MAPL's function as a seasonal stopover. Ants, cockroaches, and termites all played an important role in ecosystem function by cycling nutrients and regulating the forest floor.

Keywords: Mountain ecosystems, biodiversity, detritivores, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds