Areca ipot

Areca ipot is primarily threatened by land conversion and habitat degradation caused by commodity-driven deforestation, establishment of plantations and urbanization. A significant loss of natural forests (1,136 ha) is reported in the range of the species based on analysis from Global Forest Watch (2019). Only in Palanan, Isabela, which is part of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, has intact primary forests while the rest (Laguna, Quezon and Leyte) has less than 35% of natural forests. The majority of provinces where the species is found are now composed of non-forests and plantations.

Areca ipot was previously assessed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List (1998) and Vulnerable in DAO 2017–11 or the Updated National List of Threatened Species in the Philippines (Madulid 1998, DENR-BMB 2017). Through this administrative order pursuant to Republic Act no. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, illegal and excessive tampering of the species from its natural habitats, together with other species specified therein, are inhibited. Its unauthorized utilization, trade, and disturbances made in its natural habitats are punishable by the law. In addition, some subpopulations of the species are protected in situ because of its presence in various Protected Areas (PAs) such as Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. These protected areas are supported by their respective Presidential Proclamations and Republic Acts which prohibit all unauthorized and excessive disturbances in these areas. Lastly, the species is cultivated in Makiling Botanic Gardens for ex situ conservation.