Philippine Journal of Science
150 (S1): 333-344, Special Issue on Biodiversity
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 30 Sep 2020

Determining Habitat Suitability for the Identification
of Priority Conservation Sites for Indo-Pacific Crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801) in the Philippines

Jake Wilson B. Binaday¹, Rainier I. Manalo¹*, Milben A. Bragais²,
Leo Kris M. Palao_², Lester Ryan P. Mojica², Ozzy Boy S. Nicopior²,
and Philip C. Baltazar¹

¹Crocodylus Porosus Philippines, Inc.
Pag-asa, Kapalong, Davao del Norte 8113 Philippines
²Geographic Innovations for Development Solutions, Inc.
Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna 4030 Philippines

*Corresponding author: rimanaloecology@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study examined the suitability of habitat occupied by the Indo-Pacific crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Philippines using data on the presence of populations from 2011–2020, geospatial technologies, and species distribution models (SDM). Habitat suitability was mapped using an ensemble model based on Biomod2 package in R software. Results showed that slope, temperature, and precipitation were strong predictors of suitable habitat for Indo-Pacific crocodiles. Thirty-five percent (35%) of the total habitats (1,137,351 ha) that were considered suitable for C. porosus in the Philippines are currently protected under national legislation. The provinces of Palawan, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao, Ligawasan Marsh, and Sulu Archipelago contain the largest areas of suitable habitats and should be considered a priority for conservation and protection.