MT. PALAY PALAY - TERNATE, CAVITE

As part of course curriculum on Ecosystem Dynamics and Structure, I went field work at Mts. Palay-palay / Mataas na Gulod protected landscape at Ternate, Cavite. Objective of my visit is to give better understanding on population Ecology - distribution, dispersal, migration, growth and regulation. Mts. Palay-palya / Mataas na Gulod national Park was declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 1594 on October 1976 as Protected Landscape under NIPAS, located in Ternate, Cavite.

The IBA is in a range of low hills on the border between the densely populated provinces of Cavite and Batangas. The proposed National Park has three peaks, Palay-palay, Pico de Loro and Mataas na Gulod. The last remaining lowland evergreen rainforest in the Province of Cavite is on Mt. Palay-palay in the northern portion of the park, and this habitat is reported to cover 60% of the park. It is mainly forest on limestone. There are also areas of arable land, small settlements and rural gardens, and some kaingin.

Local communities are currently targeting some areas of open grassland and secondary growth for reforestation activities. there are waterfalls and creeks in the park, which gives it potential for increased use for recreation and tourism. Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats, and whether it supports important populations of threatened and restricted range of birds and other biodiversity. Part of my trekking is to identify species of study both plants and animals to determine population dynamics which includes factors how they grow, adopt, reproduce and means of survival.

As observed, the most dominating plant in Mt. Palay-palay are Guijo, Malapapaya, White Lauan, Palosapis and Alibangbang. According to 2000 Pollisco report, a study was done at Mt. Palay-palay, Mataas na Gulod, Ternate, Cavite, about the destructive sampling done on three year old dipterocarp rooted cutting and seedling/wilding planted to compare their root system and the species used were White Lauan, Guijo and Palosapis as possible reason of abundance to enumerated species in the area. It can also be concluded that Mt. Palay-palay is a young forest based on trunk diameters of trees. The oldest in terms of diameter was of Guijo tree standing tall along trek that can be embraced by two persons. In this case, this proves that in age distribution, the older the trees, the more dominant species in area.

in terms of Spatial Distribution, population of species was observed to be in pattern, less dense and not cluttered. Alibangbang trees are dominant at starting point with shrubs and grasses covering forest floor. Towering Guijo, Lauan and Palosapis was observed almost in heart of forest area, then Malapapaya was abundant in later part of Mt. Palay-palay. In terms of limiting factor, availability of sunlight energy was listed as factor - the area was less humid and very moist; growth of fungi / mushrooms was observed; stunted growth of some shrubs; and discoloration of leaves indicates less available energy being provided. 

Human interaction - Mt. Palay palay is open to hikers as it serves as gateway to Pico de Loro as camping site for mountaineers. The area being open to public exposes it from waste generation as observed along trails. In addition, boundary of Mt. Palay-palay was residential lot where locals despite prohibitions continually practice kaingin and hunting at area.

Ecosystem of Mt. Palay-palay exhibits inderdependence of biotic and abiotic factors; homeostasis - optimum condition and balance in nature; self-sustaining with continuous flow of nutrients and energy; and consisting of major communities. Mt. Palay-palay had provided exact requirements to sustain butterfly or moth species to complete its life cycle and signifies a diverse habitat for them. Butterflies plays important ecological role as flower plants were also noted in forest area. earthworms sighted at area were no ordinary in terms of sizes - worms help air and water to get into soil and this help plants grow because there is more of a chance that the plant root can get more oxygen and water making the soil of Mt. Palay-palay fertile and in good quality.

As reported, a snake was released by DENR at the area and I was able to retrieve skin remains. Snakes' presence or removal from an area directly impacts the health of an ecosystem particularly forest. Snakes are predators and feed on a variety of creatures. Snakes tend to control rodent populations in particular. Snakes also represent important prey species for other predators. On going development currently threatens the survival of snakes in many ecosystems. Overall, the animal species observed at Mt. Palay-palay exhibits of a normal terrestrial ecosystem. 3,900 hectares of the protected landscape is enough room for more species to propagate and the number of seen species was not enough to determine its age distribution and sex ratio.

Mt. Palay-palay is the last frontier of Cavite province and home of diverse bird species that includes threatened species. As protected area, i recommend that (1) there should be deputized officers or delegate from DENR or LGU to expedite implementation and enforcement of NIPAS act. Violations such as dumping of waste products detrimental to forest inhabitants were greatly observed; (2) In connection to above recommendation, administrative fees and fines as authorized must be collected for violations of guidelines, rules and regulations of NIPAS Act as this endanger the viability of protected areas; and (3) Since the area is open to hikers, there must be registration for visitors and fix prescribe reasonable NIPAS fee to be collected from agencies or any person, firm or corporation deriving benefits from Mt. Palay-palay.