AGUSAN MARSH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) is located in the province of Agusan del Sur, encompassing six (6) municipalities (Bunawan, Loreto, San Francisco, Talacogon, La Paz and Rosario) and thirty eight (38) barangays and covers a total area of 40,954.745 hectares (based on the proposed Senate Bills No. 176 & 1071).
Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is established by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 913 dated October 31, 1996. It is included in the list of Wetlands of International importance by the RAMSAR Convention in November 12, 1999.
SIGNIFICANCE:
AMWS is one of the most ecologically significant wetlands in the Philippines. It harbors unique and pristine habitats like the Sago and Peat Swamp Forest. Rare and endangered species like the fresh water crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis); salt water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus); oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), and Philippine sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus), take refuge in this vast and rich ecosystem.
Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Asia's most important transit points for wildbirds. Numbers of migratory birds spend at least part of the year in the marsh either to breed or just to escape the chilly winter winds of Northern Asia.
Over 15% of the nation's fresh water resources are stored within the marsh in the form of swamp forest. It acts as a "giant sponge". Agusan Marsh soak up excess water, from a yearly rainfall of four meters, plus nine rivers that slice thru Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Compostella Valley. This protects downstream cities and towns from devastating floods.
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES:
The march has seven (7) major wetland habitat types. These are: openwaters, flowing waters, herbaceous swamp, scrub swamp, swamp forest, river bank, and inundated forest. These habitats support around 112 species of trees (including 3 spp. of bamboo), vines, lianas, and epiphytes, grasses, ground ferns and other herbaceous plants; 127 species of birds; 14 species of freshwater fisshes; 21 species of amphibian; 39 species of reptiles; and 14 species of mammals.
Among the list of threatened species found in the marsh include: silvery kingfisher (Alcedo argentatus), oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), Phillipine duck (Anas luzonica), Mindanao tarictic hornbill (Peneiopides affinis), Black-headed tailorbird (Orthotomus nigriceps), fresh water crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) and Philippine sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)
CLIMATE:
Agusan del Sur is geographically situtated below the typhoon belt but is usually affected by depressions forming in the typhoon regions of Visayas and the province of Surigao del Norte. Based on the modifies coronas classification, the province falls under type II climate. This is characterized by having no dry season with very pronounced wet season of heavy precipitation. Maximum rainfall generally occurs from December to January although there is no single dry month.
ECOTOURISM:
Interesting Destinations
PANLABUHAN LAKE - Nesting habitat of purple heron, crocodile sactuary, feeding ground of migratory wild birds like jacanas, Philippine ducks and grey herons.
LAKE MIHABA - Crocodile sanctuary, feeding ground of migrating wild birds like egrets, plovers, terns, and Philippine duck.
TICGON/KILOBIDAN - Where Philippine ducks and moorhens can be observed in greater concentration.
MAMBAGONGON LAKE - Known to be the favorite feeding ground of the egret species (little, intermediate, and great egrets).
CAIMPUGAN PEATLAND - Popularly known among locals as the "wonderland", characterized by stunted vegetation also described as bonsai forest, serves as shelter to a number of migratory bird species, home to a variety of freshwater eel or native "hito" which is endemic to the place.