Predicting the long-term productivity, economic feasibility and sustainability of smallholder hedgerow agroforestry systems using the WaNuLCAS model

The long-term productivity, economic feasibility and sustainability of Eucalyptus-maize hedgerow agroforestry system were simulated and predicted using the WaNuLCAS model. WaNuLCAS is a process-based model of water, nutrient and light capture in agroforestry systems. It is the most flexible model currently available for evaluation of management options in agroforestry systems based on site-specific information and farmer management objectives. The results of this simulation were compared with the results of the simulation of a continuous maize monocropping system. The model was calibrated using experimental data and survey results in a study conducted at Claveria, Southern Philippines. Simulation revealed that more than half of the total nitrogen in the two systems is tied up in the soil organic matter (SOM). Leaching and lateral flow are the main avenues of nitrogen loss in both systems. Modelling the water balance of the two systems showed that a eucalypt-maize hedgerow system had higher subsurface flow and surface run-off. Maize yield was initially higher in the continuous annual cropping system (2.4 t/ha) than under the eucalypt-maize hedgerow system (1.8 t/ha). The benefit obtained from the maize cropping system is the grain produced while those from the eucalypt-maize hedgerow system are maize grain and timber. Financial analysis showed that the eucalypt-maize hedgerow system had a higher NPV after nine years of simulation (PhP306,536), compared with the continuous maize (PhP16,998). Results of this study have shown that the eucalypt-maize hedgerow system provides substantial improvements to a range of biophysical and economic measures of productivity and sustainability

Analysis of climate variability and dengue occurrence in social-ecological systems: the case of Bay, Los Ba

Dengue has been recognized as a global hazard by the public health community as millions of people are at risk of dengue infection and a tetravalent vaccine for cure is to be developed [1]. Given the diseas

Vulnerability to Rainfall-Induced Landslide of Three Communities in Infanta, Quezon, Philippines

Four successive tropical cyclones hit the Philippines and brought damages to several towns in the provinces of Quezon and Aurora between November 14 and December 4 in 2004. The municipalities of Infanta, Real, and General Nakar were severely damaged and as a result the communities were exposed to physical risks and experienced socio-economic difficulties. To affect policies and plans in avoiding risks brought about by disasters that may happen in the future, the vulnerabilities to rainfall-induced landslide of the three most devastated barangays in Infanta, Quezon, namely Pinaglapatan, Ilog, and Magsaysay, were determined using an agent-based model. This study determined the vulnerability of three communities based on the framework that vulnerability is influenced by the amount and intensity of rainfall received by the area in a given time, the conditions of the biophysical characteristics of the area, and the socio-economic profile of the community in the area. A time series model to capture the long-term rainfall pattern in the area was developed with consideration to the occurrences of extreme events. Biophysical studies were conducted on the study sites to determine their respective characteristics using topography (slope and elevation), land-use, and soil type as parameters. Through a respondent-type survey, the socio-economic profiles of the communities were characterized using income, livelihood, participation in social networks, and existence of community early warning systems, among others, as parameters. Because of the barangay

Stabilization of Upland Agriculture under El Nino-Induced Climatic Risk: Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures in the Philippines.

This study focuses on the impacts of El Nino induced abnormal weather on agricultural productivity in rainfed areas and on the coping mechanisms and risk management strategies from the national down to the household level. This study was conducted to: a) Determine the impacts of El Nino-related abnormal weather changes on production of selected crops; b) Document and analyze the existing conditions on rainfed farming systems, resources, infrastructure, institutions, and other socio-economic characteristics associated with El Nino vulnerable areas; c) Review existing policies related to El Nino; d) Draw up recommendations for the stabilization of rainfed agricultural production. The major sources of data were reports of studies related to El Nino, on-farm research and data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). Climatic data was taken from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and research project reports

Coping Strategies Against El Nino: The Case of Selected Communities in Talugtug, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

The occurrence of El Nino causes tremendous havoc to economies. Recognizing this problem, the Philippine government has been introducing measures to mitigate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon. One of the measures to lessen the vulnerability of the farmers on El Nino related risk is the Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIPs). Furthermore, farmers have their own initiatives and coping mechanisms to mitigate the effects of El Nino. This research was undertaken to document the coping mechanisms, which would be useful in policy formulation. This study aims to: a) Determine the impacts of El Nino-related abnormal weather changes on agricultural production and farmers' income; b) Document the existing farming systems, resources, infrastructure, institutions, and other socio-economic characteristics of selected El Nino vulnerable areas; c) Determine the strategies employed by the farmers and communities to cope with El Nino induced agricultural risk; d) Draw up specific recommendations for the stabilization of rainfed agricultural production. The study focuses on agricultural communities that have been implementing SWIPs. The four villages in the municipality of Talugtug, Nueva Ecija, selected for the study were Buted, Maasin, Alula-Sampaloc and Villa Boado. The selected sites are predominantly under rainfed agricultural production systems. The topography is generally rolling to hilly with small areas of flat to gently sloping. The climate in the area is characterized by two distinct seasons, wet and dry

Coping Strategies Against El Nino: The Case of Selected Communities in Talugtug, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

The occurrence of El Nino causes tremendous havoc to economies. Recognizing this problem, the Philippine government has been introducing measures to mitigate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon. One of the measures to lessen the vulnerability of the farmers on El Nino related risk is the Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIPs). Furthermore, farmers have their own initiatives and coping mechanisms to mitigate the effects of El Nino. This research was undertaken to document the coping mechanisms, which would be useful in policy formulation. This study aims to: a) Determine the impacts of El Nino-related abnormal weather changes on agricultural production and farmers' income; b) Document the existing farming systems, resources, infrastructure, institutions, and other socio-economic characteristics of selected El Nino vulnerable areas; c) Determine the strategies employed by the farmers and communities to cope with El Nino induced agricultural risk; d) Draw up specific recommendations for the stabilization of rainfed agricultural production. The study focuses on agricultural communities that have been implementing SWIPs. The four villages in the municipality of Talugtug, Nueva Ecija, selected for the study were Buted, Maasin, Alula-Sampaloc and Villa Boado. The selected sites are predominantly under rainfed agricultural production systems. The topography is generally rolling to hilly with small areas of flat to gently sloping. The climate in the area is characterized by two distinct seasons, wet and dry.climatic change, farmers, rural communities, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Stabilization of Upland Agriculture under El Nino-Induced Climatic Risk: Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures in the Philippines.

This study focuses on the impacts of El Nino induced abnormal weather on agricultural productivity in rainfed areas and on the coping mechanisms and risk management strategies from the national down to the household level. This study was conducted to: a) Determine the impacts of El Nino-related abnormal weather changes on production of selected crops; b) Document and analyze the existing conditions on rainfed farming systems, resources, infrastructure, institutions, and other socio-economic characteristics associated with El Nino vulnerable areas; c) Review existing policies related to El Nino; d) Draw up recommendations for the stabilization of rainfed agricultural production. The major sources of data were reports of studies related to El Nino, on-farm research and data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). Climatic data was taken from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and research project reports.climatic change, plant production, rain fed farming, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Household Willingness to Pay for Constructed Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions for Wastewater Treatment in Bayawan City, Philippines

Constructed wetlands are globally recognized as effective nature-based solutions to wastewater treatment providing significant ecological and socio-economic benefits. This study aims to identify the ecosystem services provided by the constructed wetlands and evaluate their economic value. This study administered a survey questionnaire to 270 households of Fishermen’s Gawad Kalinga Village in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Philippines and employed a contingent valuation method to investigate their willingness to pay for the constructed wetlands. Respondents identified several ecosystem services of the constructed wetlands including the provisioning (water supply and biomass), regulating (wastewater treatment, water purification, climate regulation, flood prevention), supporting (habitat formation, nutrient cycling, hydrological cycle), and cultural (tourism, educational and research, recreation, aesthetic) services. Results showed that 96.3% of the respondents were willing to pay for the ecosystem services, with a mean of PHP 107.28. In terms of socio-demographic characteristics, age group and sex have no significant impact on WTP; while positive, weak, monotonic association for highest educational attainment; and positive, very weak for monthly income. The findings hold a significant promise for the government and other stakeholders to adopt a constructed wetland in achieving more human ecological and sustainable peri-urban communities

Household Willingness to Pay for Constructed Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions for Wastewater Treatment in Bayawan City, Philippines

Constructed wetlands are globally recognized as effective nature-based solutions to wastewater treatment providing significant ecological and socio-economic benefits. This study aims to identify the ecosystem services provided by the constructed wetlands and evaluate their economic value. This study administered a survey questionnaire to 270 households of Fishermen’s Gawad Kalinga Village in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Philippines and employed a contingent valuation method to investigate their willingness to pay for the constructed wetlands. Respondents identified several ecosystem services of the constructed wetlands including the provisioning (water supply and biomass), regulating (wastewater treatment, water purification, climate regulation, flood prevention), supporting (habitat formation, nutrient cycling, hydrological cycle), and cultural (tourism, educational and research, recreation, aesthetic) services. Results showed that 96.3% of the respondents were willing to pay for the ecosystem services, with a mean of PHP 107.28. In terms of socio-demographic characteristics, age group and sex have no significant impact on WTP; while positive, weak, monotonic association for highest educational attainment; and positive, very weak for monthly income. The findings hold a significant promise for the government and other stakeholders to adopt a constructed wetland in achieving more human ecological and sustainable peri-urban communities