Masungi Georeserve, Protected conservation area in Baras, Philippines
Masungi Georeserve is a protected conservation area in the southern Sierra Madre range, featuring limestone peaks and montane rainforest. The land rises to about 640 meters elevation and displays varied rock formations shaped by natural geological processes.
The area was recognized as part of a watershed reservation in 1904 and later converted into an active conservation project in 1996 to protect the geological formations. This transition reflects a shift from administrative designation to hands-on preservation efforts.
The name Masungi comes from a local word referring to the pointed limestone formations that shape the landscape. You notice this meaning directly as you walk through the area and see these distinctive peaks surrounding you.
Visits take place through guided tours featuring suspended bridges, platforms, and rope courses, with each trek lasting about three to four hours. Wear sturdy footwear and bring enough water, as the terrain is uneven and hilly throughout.
The reserve is home to the only known population of Hypselostoma latispira masungiensis, a tiny microsnail species discovered on the limestone formations in 2017. This species exists nowhere else, making the site crucial for its survival.
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