Sayang Mossy Forest
Sayang Mossy Forest (also known as "upper montane forest" or "cloud forest") is distinguished by short trees with gnarled trunks and branches that reach 8 meters in protected areas but only 2-3 meters on ridgetops. Most tree trunks and branches are covered in moss, which often hangs in sheets, and most ground surfaces are covered in moss and leaf litter over a thick layer of humus. Some mossy forests have podocarp conifers with low height but large girth (up to 2 m dbh); oaks, laurels, myrtles, and other trees are common, and rhododendrons are common shrubs. Ants and termites are not present, but earthworms abound. The majority of trees have 2-4 cm leaves.
Sayang, also known as the Deers' Playground, is a valley of pristine mossy forests. In some areas, the trees are so stunted that deer or wild pigs can be seen running around. It is a biological paradise, but no documentation has been done up to this point. As a result, no one knows the extent of its biological diversity. Sayang Mossy Forest is home to numerous brooks and rivers that provide irrigation and household water to the surrounding communities. It's an eerie yet wonderful feeling to have discovered this hidden paradise.
Location: Brgy Lias Kanluran, Barlig, Mt Province
