Quirino Protected Landscape

The Quirino Protected Landscape covers 67% of the total land area of Quirino province.^[4] It is located in the Upper Cagayan River Basin in central Sierra Madre and Caraballo ranges and extends into five municipalities of Quirino: Maddela, Nagtipunan, Cabarroguis, Aglipay and Diffun. Rainforests covers most of the area, of which 76% is second growth and 24% is old growth forests. The protected area consists of three major river systems: Upper Cagayan River, Addalam River and Ganano River.^[1]

The protected area is home to a wide array of endemic and endangered flora and fauna. At least 41 threatened animal species have been recorded in the area, including the Cantor's giant softshell turtle.^[1] Other animals that inhabit the watershed include bird species such as the Philippine eagle and Isabela oriole, gecko species such as the Sierra Madre fringed gecko, and freshwater fish like the lobed river mullet.^[1]

In 2009, a new rafflesia species, the rafflesia aurantia, has also been discovered in the area.^[4][1]