Justification
Ficus ulmifolia is an endemic tree species in the Philippines that naturally thrives in thickets at an elevation of 107 to 1,500 meters above sea level. It has a relatively wide geographic distribution across the country, being represented by an extent of occurrence value of 810,796.919 km² accounting for over 10 localities based on currently available information. The species is threatened by land use change and timber harvest in forests; this is causing a continuous decline in AOO, EOO and quality of habitat. The species is widely distributed in the country and it is assessed as Least Concern. Though the population size is currently not known, a continuous decline is expected due to habitat-threatening effects of commodity-driven deforestation, mining, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization. Hence, its conservation both, in situ and ex situ is essential to preventing the species from being pushed into any threatened category in the future.
Geographic Range Information
Ficus ulmifolia is an endemic tree species in the Philippines which can be found in thickets of Abra, Butuan City, Apayao (Mt. Duraragan), Bataan (Dinalupihan; Lamao River, Mt. Mariveles; Mt. Natib), Batanes (Mt. Iraya), Batangas (Taal Volcano), Benguet (Agno River, Ambuklao; Baguio City; Sablan), Biliran, Bulacan (Angat; Angat Watershed area, Norzagaray), Cagayan (Peñablanca), Camarines Sur (Lupi; Pili), Cavite (Silang), Cebu (San Fernando), Dinagat Island, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte (Bangui; Dumalneg; Mt. Pico de Loro), Isabela (Sierra Madre Mountains, San Mariano), La Union (Bauang; Sta. Rita), Laguna (Mt. Makiling, Los Baños), Mountain Province (Bontoc), Muntinlupa (Alabang), Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija (Mingan Mountains), Nueva Vizcaya (Dupax), Oriental Mindoro (Calapan; Mt. Yagaw, Mansalay), Palawan (Rizal), Pampanga (Mt. Arayat), Pangasinan (Umingan; San Roque), Quezon (Burdeos; Lucban; Polillo Island; Umiray, General Nakar; Brgy. Bagong Silang, Tagkawayan), Rizal (Rodriguez), Romblon (Sibuyan), Tawi-Tawi (Kinapusan Island), and Zambales (Mt. Pinatubo; Botolan; Masinloc; Santa Cruz; Subic) (Merrill 1923, Pro-Seeds 2019, GBIF 2022). It usually grows at an elevation of 107 to 1,500 m above sea level (Merrill 1923, GBIF 2022). It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 810,796.919 km² accounting for more than 10 localities that are continuously threatened by commodity-driven deforestation, mining, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization (GFW 2022).
Population Information
In 2019, 66 individuals of Ficus ulmifolia were recorded by Pro-Seeds Development Association, Inc.: 17 in Bulacan, 12 in Alabang, Muntinlupa, 11 in San Fernando, Cebu, 10 in General Nakar, Quezon, eight in Pampanga, five in Rizal, Palawan, two in Subic, Zambales, and one in San Roque, Pangasinan. However, the total population size remains uncertain due to a lack of research initiatives – which can be addressed by further inventory and documentation. There is expected to be a continuous population decline due to continuing forest losses within the provinces induced by commodity-driven deforestation, mining, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization (GFW 2022).
Habitat and Ecology Information
Ficus ulmifolia is a small tree species with a height ranging from three to 12 m (GBIF 2022). It can be naturally found in thickets at an elevation of 107 to 1,500 m above sea level (Merrill 1923, GBIF 2022). There is no information on the phenology of the species.
Threats Information
Ficus ulmifolia is primarily threatened by land conversion and habitat degradation caused by commodity-driven deforestation, mining, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization. Based on the Global Forest Watch data, a significant loss of tree cover (474,762 ha) from 2001 to 2021 is reported across the range (provinces) of the species.
Use and Trade Information
Ficus ulmifolia has edible fruit. Latex can be used in destroying roundworms and, in some instances, hookworms. The leaves are used for cleaning cooking utensils, scouring hardwood floors, stairs, windowsills, etc.; and polishing wood (Useful Tropical Plants 2022).
Conservation Actions Information
The species is not included in the Philippine Red List (DENR-BMB 2017). Its occurrence in Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape, Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve, Marcos Highway Watershed Forest Reserve, Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve, Casecnan Protected Landscape, Masinloc and Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape, Mt. Arayat National Park, Angat (Pilot) Watershed and Forest Range, Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park Northern Negros Natural Park, and Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, serves as in situ conservation of the species. In addition, it is known in at least five botanic gardens globally (BGCI 2022). Further inventory and research are needed to account for the total remaining population size in the wild. This will help in creating a relevant conservation action plan.
