October 3, 2025 · Scientists are sounding the alarm for the extinction of 15 to 23 percent Philippine land vertebrates due to various challenges, according to a study from “Science of The Total Environment.” Endemic speciesLocal Climate & EcologyEndemic speciesFlora and fauna restricted to a specific geographic region. For environmental impact assessments and biodiversity offsets, the presence of endemic species elevates the ecological sensitivity of a site, often triggering strict regulatory prohibitions on land conversion and requiring highly localized conservation interventions.Read more in the Glossary → face even higher extinction risks, ranging from 20 percent to 33 percent.
The study identifies several threats, including environmental issues such as habitat loss, overhunting, and the wildlife trade, but also underlined research gaps and bureaucratic hurdles as barriers to effective conservation planning.
“Many species are already on the brink of extinction due to multiple threats,” lead author Krizler Tanalgo of the University of Southern Mindanao, told Mongabay. “Alarmingly, despite their vulnerability, many remain poorly studied and documented, leaving critical knowledge gaps that heighten their risk of inappropriate or insufficient conservation measures.”
