Memorandum for the Petitioners | 84 8.35. The third study by Snelder et al. (2013) “investigated climate change impacts of bird species in northern Luzon using a similar technique as that of Garcia et al. (2013)3 Snelder et al. (2013) study, among others, exposed that “the effects of climate and land use changes on bird species distribution are partly following the changes in forest habitats. Under Al [worst] scenario, the models predict a considerable decrease in most forest bird species. The same is true for endemic and red list bird species."?% 8.36. The above study by Snelder et al. complemented the findings of expert witness Dr. Neil Aldrin Mallari, President and Chief Scientist at the Center for Conservation Honorable Commission, Innovations, he mentioned Inc. In his testimony that the Philippines before the is of crucial importance to global biodiversity because of its exceptional levels of narrow endemism, both terrestrial and marine. In fact, 61% overall endemism for terrestrial vertebrates or 6 out of 10 animals can only be found here in the Philippines.*“Dr. Mallari exposed that, unfortunately, the unique biodiversity of the Philippines has become particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of climate change.*® Examples of species affected are Philippine eagle, tamaraws in Mindoro,*® peacock pheasant in Palawan,*” bleeding heart pigeon in Negros, ** and vulnerable Watershed like the kingfisher?” species in Upper Marikina 8.37. Dr. Mallari also testified that, with respect to the current state of the Philippine forest, most of the country’s islands have less than 20% forest cover. 5%.” Cebu has less than 1%, Negros has 3%, and Mindoro has This is crucial since the University of the Philippines - Los Bafios came out with a seminal work that said, “[flor the country to maintain its natural processes: air, water, hydrological cycle, it needs 45% forest cover.37! 8.38. As discussed, the Philippines is one of the areas in Southeast Asia that is most exposed to the impacts of climate change. While adaptation through strategies such as disaster management is a priority, mitigation of the underlying problem remains crucial. Below are two illustrations (climate change vulnerability in Southeast Asia versus the World) which indubitably exhibit the vulnerability of the Philippines to climate change. 382 Ibid. 363 Ibid. 364 Testimony of Dr. Neil Aldrin Mallari, TSN 29-30 August 2018, p. 221, available at http://chr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/201 9/04/NICC-TSN-August-29-to-30-2018-Metro-ManilaPhilippines.pdf (last accessed on 12 September 2019). 55 Exhibit “TTTTT,” Statement of Neil Aldrin D. Mallari, PhD Ecology, dated 13 August 2018, p.1. 366 Mallari, N., supra note 364, p. 222. 367 Id, p.223. 368 Ibid. 369 Jd, p.226. 370 Mallari, N., supra note 364, p. 226. 37! Did.