Castanopsis philipensis

The main threat being faced by Castanopsis glabra is the decrease in both extent and quality of habitat, indicated by the 3,480 hectares of tree cover loss in the municipality of Jaro, and 36,000 hectares of tree cover loss in the whole province of Leyte from 2001 to 2019 (GFW 2020). These losses can be primarily attributed to the illegal and uncontrolled timber harvesting both for subsistence small-scale activities and for trade purposes for large-scaled private entities (Harrison et al. 2002). Agricultural expansion, for swidden agriculture or kaingin farming, is another factor contributing to loss and is mostly uncontrollable (Suarez and Sajise 2010). Moreover, the restricted occurrence of the species poses a great threat to its survival due to the guaranteed ‘wipe-out’ of the remaining population if severe disturbances occur in this one locality.

Due to the threats faced by the species, conservation measures protecting the species' remaining habitat would be very essential in assuring the species' survival. These measures may also include captive breeding, species recovery plans and benign/total reintroduction in various areas in the country. Intensive research regarding the population, habitat, specific uses and significance (both local and national) of the species and if these are causing decline would be valuable and further inform conservation efforts towards the species. Executive Order no. 23 or the moratorium on cutting and harvesting of timber both from primary and residual forests (DENR 2017), should be better enforced to reduce and stop the illegal utilisation of forests and additional policy implemented if necessary.