Forests serve as the primary habitat of most species. The rapid increase of the human population results in more space for human settlement, and an increase in the natural resources needed. This scenario resulted in deforestation to meet the needs of the people. In fact, the Philippines lose about 47,000 hectares of forest cover every year. The continuous actions toward the clearing of wide areas of trees will result in the extinction of the native trees we have in the Philippines. Native trees were getting endangered for the reason that this kind of tree is used for exportation.
In the Philippines, there are more than 2,400 endemic trees recorded from the 3,600 native trees. Endemic trees mean it is exclusive only to a specific country/location. One of the endemic trees in the country is Kaladis Narig (Vatica elliptica). This tree could only be found in Barangay Calades, Zamboanga Sibugay. It plays a vital role in the construction of houses in the past because of the resiliency of the tree. This barangay was named after the tree since it covered the whole village before. In 1915, Kaladis narig was reported as nearly extinct and thought to be extinct until rediscovered after 100 years in Zamboanga. The Philippines has recorded 179 critically-endangered trees of which 94% that is endemic. It's possible that this kind of tree will become extinct which we may not notice because of the lack of scientific literature and records supporting different endemic trees present in the country. Endemic trees play a vital role in the country's identity and the rich history of our biodiversity.
Benefits of Planting Native Trees
Native trees help in recovering and expansion of the habitat of the endangered local wildlife
Native trees have a better help chance of survival compared to non-native trees due to reason that they adapted already to the environment where they usually grow.
Native trees protect resources like watersheds and freshwater.
This kind of tree helps the local people in their livelihood.
Native trees don't have detrimental effects on the ecosystem, unlike foreign trees that tend to alter the soil of the location. Foreign trees usually prevent other plants to grow and survive in the same soil.
Endangered animals prefer to inhabit native trees making it helpful in the prevention of extinction of these endangered animals.
Let us take action right now before the extinction of these endangered endemic trees become a reality. We can start by promoting planting native trees in the urban, spreading awareness about the different endemic trees which listed as endangered species. The important strategy to preserve this tree is the cooperation between the residents and the local government or the private sector assigned to preserve the tree.