KALBARIO PATAPAT NATURAL PARK Celebrates Its 18th Founding Anniversary (March 21–25)

The Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park (KPNP), one of the most ecologically significant protected areas in Northern Luzon, Philippines, is commemorating its 18th founding anniversary from March 21 to 25. Located in the northernmost region of Ilocos Norte, this natural park is a recognized Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and a critical component of the country’s protected area system under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

KPNP represents a mega-geographic corridor of the northern Cordillera mountain range and is home to distinct forest ecosystems, ranging from lowland dipterocarp to mossy montane forests. Its rugged topography and complex ecological gradients contribute to its high floristic and faunal endemism, making it a center of biodiversity in northwestern Luzon.

Moreover, Kalbario-Patapat is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, serving as a critical habitat along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF)—a migratory route utilized by millions of birds each year. Its forests provide essential breeding and stopover habitats for both resident and migratory bird species, underscoring its international ecological importance.

A Legacy of Conservation and Research

The year KPNP was officially declared a protected area also marked the inception of the Plant Conservation Initiative of Northwestern University in Laoag City. In October of that same year, the Northwestern University Ecological Park and Botanic Gardens (NUEBG) was established with the goal of conserving rare and endemic flora of the region and promoting environmental education.

The collaboration between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Northwestern University has since led to a strong institutional partnership. Over the past 18 years, this alliance has enabled numerous biodiversity research initiatives, ecological field expeditions, and capacity-building programs focused on environmental conservation.

Biodiversity Milestones

One of the most notable scientific contributions came through the Botanical and Avifaunal Mapping Surveys (BAMS) led by Northwestern University with short-term research grants. Over a decade of systematic exploration and documentation has resulted in the identification of 1,154 plant species, many of which are endemic to the Luzon biogeographic region. These findings significantly expand the known floristic composition of the northern Cordillera.

A landmark achievement was the formal discovery and description of Begonia palemlemensis Calaramo et al., 2019, a new species endemic to the upper montane forests of Mt. Palemlem, located within the park. This highlights the park’s role as a living laboratory for taxonomic discovery and conservation biology.

In the realm of ornithology, KPNP boasts the highest diversity of raptors recorded among all protected areas in the Philippines, with 19 species documented to date. This includes both migratory and resident birds of prey, positioning the park as a critical stronghold for raptor conservation in Southeast Asia.

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