Mayapis (Shorea palosapis) is a native tree that belongs to the Philippine mahogany classification and Dipterocarpaceae family, comprising 17 genera and more than 500 species of mainly tropical lowland rainforest trees. It is a large evergreen tree with a height that reaches as high as 40 to 50 meters. It has light brown bark that is smooth when young and becomes finely ridged to fissured as it ages. It has oblong to leathery leaves that have smooth blades on the surface and pubescence underneath. The petals of its flowers are creamish or yellowish tint. It has three conspicuous, long wings that bear fruits. Mayapis tree is widespread and can be found mostly in lowland evergreen forests. It thrives naturally from sea level up to 1,000 meters. It is commonly found in several locations in Luzon, and a few in Visayas and Mindanao.
Unfortunately, this tree is classified as critically endangered by IUCN as of 2012 due to illegal human activities, unsustainable timber production, and forest degradation. The biodiversity of the forest in the Philippines and local livelihoods are now seriously threatened by widespread exploitation and illicit logging. Threatened dipterocarp species are harmed by climate change as well. These are just a few of the numerous causes for the impending population decline of the mayapis tree and other endangered trees.
We, humans, can be very selfish and take these trees for granted as if what happens to them does not affect us negatively. If people continue to cut down trees (endangered or not), then the quality of the air we breathe will deteriorate, our environment could become threatened, and may pose a serious threat to many lives. Natural disasters will occur as well, such as earthquakes, typhoons, and others. If they are not taken care of as soon as possible, we will eventually run out of one of the many things that contribute to our survival.
Despite being listed as critically endangered, mayapis tree has many benefits and its wood can be used in different ways. The mayapis wood is utilized in flooring, carpentry, making furniture, musical instruments, boat planking, and interior works such as veneer and plywood. As for the environmental use, mayapis tree is used to provide shelter from the wind (windbreaks) and to control soil erosion. It also helped a lot in preventing landslides and aftershocks. Aside from mayapis tree, we have other endangered trees that also bring similar benefits to the environment, which is why our country is indeed rich in natural resources. Thus, we must do our part in protecting our trees, and our environment at all costs.
Trees have immense importance and provide important functions in general, and we cannot survive without them. The preservation and protection of soil, water, air, and wildlife are greatly aided by forests. It is necessary that we must recognize the social, communal, environmental, and economic benefits of trees. Because when we start to realize how important trees are, we will have the initiative to take action and save the trees. Saving trees is crucial because they are beneficial to our ecosystem and our health, regardless of whether they are at risk of extinction. In order to start the initiative, forest protection, reforestation, restoration projects, and other action plans must be developed and implemented immediately. By doing these programs, it will contribute to improving the quality of air, repairing damaged ecosystems, and reducing climate change.