ECOLOGICAL SERVICES OF AGROFORESTRY LANDSCAPES IN SELECTED WATERSHED AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA

Abstract. Baliton RS, Landicho LD, Cabahug RED, Paelmo RF, Laruan KA, Rodriguez RS, Visco RG, Castillo AKA. 2020. Ecological services of agroforestry systems in selected upland farming communities in the Philippines. Biodiversitas 21: 707-717. A study was conducted in three selected upland farming communities in Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet and Quezon, Philippines to assess the ecological services of agroforestry systems. Results showed that alley cropping was the dominant agroforestry system in Nueva Vizcaya, while vegetable-based and coffee-based multistorey systems were found prevailing in Benguet and Quezon provinces. Agrobiodiversity assessment revealed that the values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index of agroforestry systems in the three study sites were considered to be low to moderate, ranging from 2.21 to 2.71. This validates that the number of individuals per species in the agroforestry landscape was not evenly distributed. The means of biomass in the three study sites, ranging from 106.22-127 tons ha-1, were higher than that of agroforestry systems (102.80 tons ha-1) in the Philippines. The agroforestry systems in Nueva Vizcaya had the largest carbon stock of 57.15 ton C ha-1, followed by Quezon 52.96 ton C ha-1 and Benguet 47.80 ton C ha-1. These results are comparable to the overall mean of carbon stock of tree plantations (59.0 ton C ha-1) and higher than that of agroforestry systems in the Philippines, i.e., 45.4 ton C ha-1. Therefore, this article argues that the different agroforestry systems provide ecological services in the upland farming communities in the Philippines.

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Fore Karst: A Biotope-focused planning approach for the ecological management of Susong Dalaga, Quirino

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/879/1/012030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 879 (1) ◽

pp. 012030

Author(s):

D Lavilla ◽

N Navarra ◽

N Palarca

Keyword(s):

Ecological Integrity ◽

The Philippines ◽

Management Approach ◽

Ecological Management ◽

Karst System ◽

Rapid Urbanization ◽

Ecological Services ◽

Natural Systems ◽

Planning Approach ◽

Planning Approaches

Abstract Conventional planning approaches that prioritize built-up areas and rapid urbanization for economic growth and social security, instead of the environment and the ecological services they provide have consistently been problematic in maintaining sustainability. Because of this, there is a growing need to shift from the conventional to a greener approach. The research argues that an ecological management approach is a viable choice of approach in protecting the ecological integrity of the landscape, especially in biotopes where ecological services are sought-after, such as the karst system Susong Dalaga found in Cabarroguis, Quirino Province. This approach is done by identifying the different biotopes to find the existing relations, services, and underlying issues of the place. In assessing the items mentioned earlier, the research finds that the natural systems are slowly dwindling due to the expansion of agriculture and built-up areas. Each biotope is then assigned with an appropriate approach, and with the consultation of the stakeholders, policies are then strategized for specific functions. It is hoped that the study would help push the application and integration of ecological management approach, and green approaches and principles in general, to future urban planning projects in the Philippines.

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