Leni D. Camacho

Tree biomass and carbon stock of a community‐managed mangrove forest in Bohol, Philippines

Mangrove plays a significant role in climate change mitigation particularly in carbon absorption and minimizing the detrimental impacts of sea level rise, salt-water intrusion and tidal surges. In Bohol Province, Philippines, a small coastal island community known as Banacon is one of the successful cases in mangrove reforestation. Recognizing the sites potential for a carbon sequestration project, a biomass and carbon stock assessment of mangrove trees was done. Using standard sampling techniques and allometric equations, tree carbon storage was measured across stand ages, namely 15-, 20- and 40-year-old plantations. Mature natural stands were also included in the assessment. By estimate, the 40-year-old plantation has the largest carbon density with 370.7 ton ha−1, followed by the 15-year-old plantation with 208.5 ton ha−1, 20-year-old plantation with 149.5 ton ha−1, and lastly by natural stand with 145.6ton ha−1. Overall, Banacon mangroves are in a vigorous condition of storing vast amount of carbon. Local community and government should therefore sustain their commitment in coastal reforestation activities in order to enhance the mangrove carbon stocks. Policies and programs that can help provide incentives and livelihoods to local people who are largely dependent on mangroves should likewise be explored in order to sustainably reap the economic and ecological benefits of conserving mangrove forest.

Indigenous knowledge and practices for the sustainable management of Ifugao forests in Cordillera, Philippines

ABSTRACT In the Philippines, many indigenous peoples such as the Ifugaos in Cordillera Mountains have continued to thrive in their relatively remote yet self-sufficient communities. Notwithstanding the transformations of many indigenous knowledge systems, practices that help promote forest sustainability have remained intact. This article aims to identify and describe key indigenous practices in the woodlot and watersheds collectively known as muyong in Ifugao communities. Data were obtained through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with selected local farmers in Kiangan and Hungduan municipalities in Ifugao province. The recognition of the mutual connections between forests and rice terraces as a traditional belief is deeply ingrained in the heart and mind of Ifugaos. This tradition promotes sustainable forest management as expressed in their respect to customary laws pertaining to land rights, adoption of upland cultivation practices following soil and water conservation principles, stand management to promote ample supply of wood and fuel wood, and biodiversity protection. However, these knowledge systems are slowly disappearing due to the changing needs and interests of the indigenous peoples as well as the proliferation of government programmes to modernize farming technologies. Hence, the government, NGOs and other concerned stakeholders need to continuously support programmes in order to protect the aesthetic and traditional value of the Ifugao landscapes. EDITED BY John Parrotta

Traditional knowledge for sustainable forest management and provision of ecosystem services

Forests, and the people who depend on them, are under enormous pressure worldwide. Deforestation in many parts of the world continues at an alarming pace, the result of agricultural conversion for ...

Land use characterization and change detection of a small mangrove area in Banacon Island, Bohol, Philippines using a maximum likelihood classification method

Geospatial information of small mangrove islands in the Philippines is usually lacking. Such information is vital to monitor mangrove cover change and craft plans for their sustainable management. This study was conducted to provide some land use information about Banacon Island in Bohol province. The island is renowned for its vast mangrove plantations, community-initiated reforestation, and double reef system. To determine the different forest land uses therein, the study employed a maximum likelihood classification method using two Landsat images of different periods. Results revealed three distinct forest land uses, namely: dense mature stand; dense intermediate stand; and sparse mangrove area. Land use change detection analysis was also conducted. Findings suggest that mangrove cover has generally improved from 1993 to 2004, as seen in the expansion of dense plantations over sparsely vegetated areas. Such change is attributable to continuous reforestation activities by the local community. Minor deforestation was also recorded due to various natural and anthropogenic causes. Comparing the area of deforestation with the increase in plantations, the results suggest that reforestation has compensated or exceeded the rate of cover loss. In order to further improve the geospatial results, the study recommends the use of high resolution images covering other years for better analysis of land use change.

Economic valuation for sustainable mangrove ecosystems management in Bohol and Palawan, Philippines.

The study used the total economic value as a framework for estimating the values of the different uses of mangroves in Palawan and Bohol, Philippines. Market surveys were conducted to estimate the revenues from the major mangrove products collected in the two study sites. Contingent valuation method and travel cost method questionnaires were used in the survey to determine the biodiversity and recreational values (in Philippine pesos or PHP). Results of the market survey showed that the highest direct use value per year was estimated for Banacon site in Bohol with PHP 33.368 million per year as compared to Kamuning site in Palawan (PHP 25.521 million). The highest value of benefit for Banacon came from crab catch with PHP 13.23 million. Mollusk catch gave higher benefits to Kamuning, amounting to PHP 17.65 million. In terms of the values of benefits from shrimp and fish catch, the values for Banacon were higher than those in Kamuning site (PHP 8.06 million and PHP 6.38 million, respectively for Banacon, and PHP 4.32 million and PHP 0.16 million, respectively, for Kamuning). Nipa thatch was the source of the third highest value of benefit for Kamuning amounting to PHP 2.42 million. The result of the contingent valuation analysis done (combining the data sets from Palawan and Bohol) using a least-squares method (i.e., bid function approach) showed a mean willingness-to-pay amount of PHP 44/month per individual. The different factors affecting the willingness to pay (25% level) include education, income and information (new). In terms of the recreation/ecotourism value of mangroves, the estimated values in Banacon, Bohol, and Kamuning, Palawan, were PHP 83,079 and PHP 2769, respectively.

Impacts of Community-Based Forest Management Policies Implemented by a Local Forest Institution: A Case Study from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

A number of developing countries have implemented forest tenure reforms, including community forestry, to achieve social justice. While many studies have assessed the impact of community forestry, few have examined how interventions of local forest institutions influence the conditions of forests and forest dwellers. This study addresses this gap by examining the impacts of forest management policies implemented by the Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong and Kakilingan Upland Farmers, Inc. (Federation) in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. Specifically, the study aimed to: (1) examine these interventions in relation to livelihood, income, forest condition, and equity (LIFE) indicators; (2) measure the impacts of these interventions on LIFE indicators; (3) analyze relations between the interventions and LIFE indicators; and (4) identify policy implications to promote sustainable and equitable benefits from local forest governance. Data were compiled from a household-level survey, interviews, satellite image analysis, and a secondary data review. Correlation analysis was performed on the survey results. The Federation’s interventions were found to have improved forest condition and equity. However, they had limited impact on livelihoods and no significant effect on household incomes. Hence, the Federation needs to undertake household-level initiatives to improve the financial capital of forest-dependent populations. Moreover, policy-makers should devolve the issuance of resource use permits to local Department of Environment and Natural Resources offices. Central forest policies, particularly those on forest resource utilization, require adaptation to local situations as incentives for forest-dependent populations to sustainably manage forest resources.

Carbon sequestration benefits of the makiling forest reserve, Philippines

This paper discusses carbon sequestration in Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) and in the Philippines in general in relation to mitigating climate change. First, it estimates the values of carbon sequestration benefits for MFR and the Philippines. Then it reviews the policies and practices in the country pertaining to carbon sequestration. Then it determines the feasibility of different climate abatement projects, including reforestation, tree planting and agroforestry activities. The current carbon content in the biomass of the plant covers in MFR is estimated to be 109 tons per hectare. Accordingly, the total carbon content for the whole of MFR is 167,277 tons. The equivalent in terms of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere is 669,108 tons, amounting to a total sequestration value of P1.5 billion or US

Reorienting forestry education to sustainable forest management : The case of the university of the Philippines Los Banos college of forestry and natural resources

3.8 million. The capitalized value derived from MFR carbon sequestration is P15.06 billion or US

Conserving Mangroves for Their Blue Carbon: Insights and Prospects for Community-Based Mangrove Management in Southeast Asia

1.13 billion. Conservation of existing forests reduces oxidized carbon releases into the atmosphere. Agroforestry systems also have the potential to replace destructive shifting agricultural practices. Other strategies for increasing the carbon sequestration capacity of forests is reforestation, and increasing the amount of carbon being stored in forest ecosystems. The latter involves planting of fast‐growing species and high‐timber‐yielding varieties. The sustainable management of the forests in MFR would contribute significant greenhouse benefits by enhancing long‐term storage of carbon in the ecosystem.

Stand density management and blue carbon stock of monospecific mangrove plantation in Bohol, Philippines

This paper is about organizational re‐engineering in support of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). It focuses on the change strategies adopted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) to re‐orient itself to the needs and challenges of sustainable forest management. Sustainable forest management implies a new way of seeing, thinking and doing in relation to forests, natural resources, and the environment. As such, reforms in policies, programs, and approaches as well as changes in institutional and individual capabilities (knowledge, attitudes, values and skills) in forestry are needed. To maintain its relevance as a leading tropical forestry institution of higher learning, UPLB CFNR has initiated changes in its academic programs and organizational structure so that it will be more responsive to sustainable forest management challenges. To achieve the desired changes, the College has adopted five institutional development and change strategies. The experience at UPLB CFNR could offer some insights to other forestry educational institutions who wish to maintain relevance in the face of the paradigm shift in forestry and natural resource management.