Tanalgo Krizler C, Dela Cruz Kier C, Agduma Angelo R, Lidasan Asraf K, Edradan Janine, Dumayas Ryza Kyla L, Alagdon Jeanrose S, Villaruz Berfelyn Daniela, Gatoc Glydel Kaye P
Ecology & Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines; The Graduate School of the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines.
Ecology & Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines.
Sci Total Environ. 2025 Aug 27;999:180274. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180274.
The Philippines is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich variety of terrestrial vertebrate species, many of which are endemic and threatened by environmental changes and unsustainable human activities. Effective conservation actions are urgently needed; however, progress towards it is often hampered by persistent knowledge shortfalls and uneven research efforts for many species and habitats. Using standardised data from the IUCN Red List and GBIF, we assessed extinction risks, threats, and knowledge shortfalls of 1, 294 extant terrestrial vertebrate species in the Philippines. We found that between 15% to 23 % of the species are at risk of being threatened by extinction, particularly endemic amphibians and mammals, likely driven by habitat loss, overexploitation, and a combination of other threats. Reptiles remain markedly underrepresented in research and their true threat status is likely underestimated. Our findings highlight the historical research biases leading to conservation inequities, leaving vulnerable and data-deficient species and areas overlooked. Filling these gaps with balanced and appropriate research investments, expanded monitoring, and improved data sharing are crucial for evidence-based conservation. We recommend the use of integrative tools and remote sensing to address the major biodiversity shortfalls in the Philippines. The integration of collaboration, citizen science, targeted surveys, and genetic research can address these data gaps. Our study offers a strategic framework for guiding national conservation priorities and safeguarding the country's rapidly vanishing wildlife heritage, emphasising that, without informed action, the Philippines risks losing its unique biodiversity.
菲律宾是一个生物多样性热点地区，拥有丰富多样的陆地脊椎动物物种，其中许多是特有物种，受到环境变化和不可持续人类活动的威胁。迫切需要采取有效的保护行动；然而，由于许多物种和栖息地持续存在知识空白以及研究工作不均衡，在这方面的进展往往受到阻碍。利用来自世界自然保护联盟红色名录和全球生物多样性信息设施的标准化数据，我们评估了菲律宾1294种现存陆地脊椎动物物种的灭绝风险、威胁和知识空白。我们发现，15%至23%的物种面临灭绝威胁，特别是特有两栖动物和哺乳动物，这可能是由栖息地丧失、过度开发以及其他多种威胁共同导致的。爬行动物在研究中的代表性仍然明显不足，其真正的威胁状况可能被低估。我们的研究结果凸显了导致保护不平等的历史研究偏见，使脆弱和数据缺乏的物种及地区被忽视。通过平衡且适当的研究投资、扩大监测以及改善数据共享来填补这些空白，对于基于证据的保护至关重要。我们建议使用综合工具和遥感技术来解决菲律宾主要的生物多样性空白问题。整合协作、公民科学、针对性调查和基因研究能够填补这些数据空白。我们的研究提供了一个战略框架，用于指导国家保护重点并保护该国迅速消失的野生动物遗产，强调如果不采取明智行动，菲律宾有可能失去其独特的生物多样性。
