The Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape is a
wetland conservation area
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...
along the coast of Danao Bay in northern
Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Situated on the territory of four
barangays in the municipality of
Baliangao (Misom, Sinian, Tugas and Landing), it covers of terrestrial and marine areas consisting of
mangrove,
sea grass and
coral reef ecosystems. The protected area also includes a portion of Sinian River which drains into Danao Bay. It was established in 2000 through Proclamation No. 418.
Description
The Baliangao protected area occupies the shallow embayment known as Danao Bay which is an arm of the
Bohol Sea near the provincial border with
Zamboanga del Norte. It is the site of the old ''Misom Sea Sanctuary'' established in 1991 by the local government in partnership with Pipuli Foundation to protect its rich marine life. It was also earlier named the ''Baliangao Wetland Park'' after the rich mangrove forest of the Sinian River and eastern coast was incorporated into the area.
Its coast is fringed by coral reefs which serves as a barrier and protection for the mangrove forest against strong waves. Its seascape is dominated by seagrasses and seaweeds.
Baliangao is also home to at least 21 mangrove species, dominated by the ''
Rhizophora'' (''bakawan'') variety. It provides shelter and nesting grounds for several waterbird species including the
olive-backed sunbird,
Philippine glossy starling
The Asian glossy starling (''Aplonis panayensis'') is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan (introduced) and Thailand. ...
,
kingfisher,
chestnut-breasted mannikin, black-capped oriole,
spotted dove
The spotted dove (''Spilopelia chinensis'') is a small and somewhat long-tailed pigeon that is a common resident breeding bird across its native range on the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. The species has been introduced to many parts ...
,
brahminy kite, blue-capped woodpecker and
common egret
The great egret (''Ardea alba''), also known as the common egret, large egret, or (in the Old World) great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and ...
.
References
{{Protected areas in Northern Mindanao
Protected landscapes and seascapes of the Philippines
Geography of Misamis Occidental
Protected areas established in 2000
2000 establishments in the Philippines
Misamis Occidental