Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources

Green Spaces in WPU Main Campus: Refugia for Endemic and Conservation-Priority Birds and Mammals

Alejandro A. Bernardo, Jr.

Abstract

This study explores the ecological role of the green spaces within the Western Philippines University (WPU) Main Campus as refugia for endemic and conservation-priority birds and mammals amid increasing anthropogenic pressures on the surrounding landscape. Specifically, it evaluates the bird and mammal assemblages utilizing these green spaces, with emphasis on species diversity and the presence of endemic and conservation-priority species. Wildlife surveys employed transect counts, mist netting, cage trapping, visual encounter surveys, and opportunistic observations. Data collection was conducted from August 2022 to September 2025. Ecological analyses included species richness, relative abundance, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou’s evenness index, frequency, and averages. The survey recorded 119 bird and mammal species, including 21 endemic species, 10 endemic subspecies, and 30 conservation-priority species. These findings demonstrate that the green spaces within the WPU Main Campus support high wildlife diversity, including endemic, migratory, and conservation-priority species, emphasizing their role in both local and broader biodiversity conservation. The campus green spaces also supported 27 species of migratory birds, highlighting its role as a staging and overwintering habitat along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Consequently, conserving these areas is essential for sustaining wildlife populations in human-dominated landscapes. It is recommended that WPU strengthen policies for the expansion and enhancement of green spaces through sustainable landscaping practices, such as the use of native flora, reduced pesticide application, and the installation of wildlife-friendly structures. Other institutions are likewise encouraged to establish and maintain green spaces to support biodiversity conservation.