DENR Regional Office XIII

Brgy. Ambago, Butuan City, 8600 Website: http://caraga.denr.gov.ph/

E-mail: denrcaraga@yahoo.com or pmd.misss@gmail.com

Regional Public Affairs Office Tel. No.: 341-32-29

Lake Mainit Key Biodiversity Area ♥ July 2015 DENR-CARAGA

Lake Mainit Facts and Figures

Watershed Area 87,072 hectares

Aggregate Land Area 72,372 hectares

Lake Surface 17,060 hectares (BFAR)

Shoreline 62.10 kilometers

Maximum Depth 223 meters

Mean Depth 128 meters

Volume 180.00 cu. Km.

No. of Tributaries 28 major rivers

Lake Outlet Kalinawan River (23 km length)

Length of (North to South) 29.10 Kilometers

Surface Temperature Ranges 27.00ºC - 30.66ºC

Dissolved Oxygen Ranges 5.90 to 8.01 mg OL –1

PH Ranges 7.2 (49m) to 7.9 (0 m)

Lake Classification Oligotrophic Lake (PCAMRD)

Water Classification Class A (EMB)

Fishes 41 species (MSU-Naawan/SFMP-CFR, 2010)

Unidentified Fishes 4 species (MSU-Naawan/SFMP-CFR, 2010)

Aquatic Plants 15 species (MSU-Naawan/SFMP-CFR, 2010)

Surface Elevation 30 m ASL

Total Population 142, 344 (Census 2007, NSO)

Source: Lake Mainit Development Alliance Environment Management Plan

Protect & Save Protect & Save Protect & Save Lake MainitLake MainitLake Mainit

Key Biodiversity AreaKey Biodiversity AreaKey Biodiversity Area The habitat of rare The habitat of rare The habitat of rare

flora and faunaflora and faunaflora and fauna

Hornbill

Rafflesia Mixta

Little Egret

Silvery Kingfisher

Philippine Wild

Duck

White-throated King fisher

Bibe (Univalve Freshwater Shell) Corbicula sp.

Ige (Bivalve Fresh-water Shell) Viviparia angularis

Kagang (Freshwater crab) Kumong

(Freshwater crab)

THE LAKE MAINIT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA (LMKBA)

L AKE MAINIT is the fourth largest lake in the Philippines and one of the cleanest lakes in the country. It is located at 9°28′N 125°31′E in northeastern Mindanao,

Caraga region. The lake is shared by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte. The lake and its surrounding area called as the Lake Mainit Key Biodiversity Area (LMKBA), considered to have high ecological value for being the habitat of some rare and threated wildlife.

Undeniably very scenic, the lake remained generally clear and clean. The lake area is defined as tourism subzone, mainly for adventure tourism and ecotourism based on the Caraga Tourism Master Plan.

FISHES IN LAKE MAINIT

The main freshwater fish found in the lake are Freshwater Goby locally known as “Pijanga” (Glossogobius giuris) and Bugwan” (Hypseleotris agilis); Pantat/Agok-ok (Catfish/ Clarias sp); Kasili (Freshwater eel/ Anguilla sp); Tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica); and Karpa (Carp/ Cyprinus carpio) among others.

OTHER FAUNA IN LAKE MAINIT AREA

Asian migratory birds such as Tufted Duck, Egret, Heron, and Bittern and local bird species are also found in LMKBA where they used it as the source of food and as breeding ground. Wildlife such as deer, wild pigs, snakes are found in the forest around the LMKBA.

COMMUNITIES IN LAKE MAINIT AREA

The lake is almost equally divided by four lakeshore municipalities of Jabonga and Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte and the municipalities of Alegria and Mainit in Agusan del Norte. There are 31 barangays that are largely dependent on the lake for food and livelihood.

Lake Mainit Caraga Region Northeast Mindanao Philippines

Fish species in Lake Mainit

Floating aquatic plants in Lake Mainit

A man in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte selling fish caught from Lake Mainit. Photo from Aquatic Cebu Enthusiasts (ACE), 2012.

Common finfish species of commercial value in Lake Mainit: A.) Glossogobius guiris B.) Hypseleotris agilis C.) Oreochromis nilotica D.) Cyprinus carpio E.) Channa striata F. Valamugil cunnessius G.) Anguilla sp. H.) Neostethus thessa.

Aquatic plants of Lake Mainit and Kalinawan river: G) Lotus Lily or paguse H) Red Lotus I) Water Hyacinth J) Water Lettuce K) Pond Fern L. Water Spinach or kangkong M. Neptunia or small-leaf sensitive plant N. Unidentified

Source: Sustainable Fishery Management Program Comprehensive Final Report (SFMP-CFR), 2010.