Although 63% of this ecoregion is covered with closed broadleaf evergreen forest or open forest, much of this has been disturbed in the past by human activity, and many of the rare species of the area have been relegated to the isolated areas or higher elevations.

An important factor in this ecoregion is whether the location is in the main typhoon track from July to November.

[5][6] Although this ecoregion is spread among many islands, the floristic communities are related, as Mindanao and the eastern Visayas were all one connected island in the lower sea levels of the Pleistocene (the ice age from 2.8 million years ago to 11,700 years ago).

The lowland rain forests are dominated by trees of genus (Dipterocarpus) up through 400 meters.

[1] Mindanao supports the vulnerable Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus nigricans).