Values of Forest Products in the Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR), Philippines

Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) is an important forest reserve and contains valuable and diverse products, which are of economic importance. Theses non-timer forest products(NTFP) include fuelwood, food and fruits, seeds, fodder, rattan, bamboo, vines, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, and wildlife. Since some of these products are not being sold in the market but are locally consumed by gatherers, there are no available market prices. In cases where market prices of a particular NTFP were not available, shadow prices were used. Forest products benefits for MFR are estimated to be P386 per hectare per year, with wildlife products making up the highest proportion (31 percent), followed by fodder (27 percent), then ornamental plants (17 percent) and seeds and planting materials (14 percent). Other products that have low percentage values of the total NTFP are bamboo (4 percent), fuelwood (3 percent), vines (2 percent), and rattan (0.4 percent). The income derived by a household from NTFP in MFR is about P 1,490 per year, representing only about three percent of the total annual household income of MFR farmers. Although the contribution of NTFP to the value of MFR is modest, these products are economically important to the local community

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 carnon 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 P 1.5 billion or US＄3.8 million. The capitalized value derived from MFR carbon sequestration is P 15.06 billion or US＄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 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

Development Pathways in the Philippine Uplands: Impacts and Influences on Forest Resource Management and Human Well-Being

The poor performance of various people-oriented forestry projects has prompted the government to adopt the Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) program as the development pathway for addressing upland poverty and deforestation. The Program is based on the premise that if local com­munities were given access to, control of, and benefits from forest resources, they will be transformed into responsible stewards and partners in the promotion of sustainable forest management. This paper documents and evaluates the impacts and influences of the CBFM strategy on upland devel­opment pathways, forest resource management, and the well-being of upland communities. Findings were derived from household and key informant interviews of 20 People’s Organizations that were awarded CBFM projects in various areas. The well-being of CBFM participants improved, as evidenced by the marked increase in income over the benchmark income before they were awarded a CBFM project; acquisition of several household and farm assets, which were before uncommon to forest-dependent communities; and generation of employment in the community. The CBFM program has achieved an increase in forest cover compared with past reforestation projects. Policy implications on development pathways in the uplands were also drawn

Economic Implications of Different Management Opportunities in Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR), Philippines

Opportunity costs incurred in devoting the areas of MFR to agroforestry, grassland and timber production and combinations of them as well as the willingness to accept incentives of farmers to promote conservation were evaluated using the Net Present Value approach and contingent valuation. The main goal of the study is to determine the economic implications of different management options in the Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) in the Philippines. Economic linkages between the local people and the conservation program in the area were also assessed. In this study, it was found that the analysis of the different options for MFR indicates that the conservation of remaining natural forests in tandem with agroforestry in all open ares yielded the highest stream of benefits. Therefore, appropriate strategies that would further integrate local economic concerns in agroforestry and natural forest conservation are necessary. It is recommended that the local people and the government seek optimal management opportunities in the conservation of MFR by partnering in the further development, restoration, and protection of the reserve

Traditional forest conservation knowledge/technologies: The Case of the Ifugaos, Philippines

This paper looked into the traditional forest conservation knowledge/technologies in the Philippines as practiced by the Ifugaos in the Northern Luzon which contributes to sustainability of production systems. It described the various knowledge systems for natural resources management showcasing the different beliefs, culture and traditions of the indigenous peoples. The unique system of the Ifugaos in tending forests known as the "muyong system" could be viewed as a forest conservation strategy, a watershed rehabilitation technique, a farming system or an assisted natural regeneration (ANR) strategy. The knowledge system has been transmitted from generation to generation, making the lives ans aspirations of the indigenous peoples in harmony with their physical and social surroundings. Based on the present indications, the system plays a significant role in promoting the sustainability of the forest and the cultural and important values of the Ifugao people

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 site's 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 12-, 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 145.6 ton 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

Traditional forest conservation knowledge/technologies in the cordillera, northern philippines

In the Philippines, indigenous knowledge has been recognized to contribute to sustainability of production systems, having been validated for their technical and scientific soundness by many investigators. It was in 1992 that the Philippine government gave recognition to the potentials of indigenous knowledge systems following the Earth Summit in 1992. Prior to this, scientists/researchers, development workers and lawmakers in the Philippines were preoccupied with their craft seeking modern ways of doing and accomplishing things. Cordillera in the Northern Philippines is a host to many indigenous cultures like Isneg, Kalinga, Bontok, Kankanaey, Tingguian, Gaddang, Ayangan and Tuwali, Kalanguya or Ikalahan, Ibaloy and Karao whose traditional knowledge systems were subject of many studies and investigations. The paper describes the different knowledge systems for natural resources management in the Cordillera as practiced by the people with different beliefs, culture and traditions. The paper showcases different resource conserving experiences in these cultures like muyong and ala-a systems of the Ifugaos; lapat among the Isneg and Tingguians; inum-an, gen-gen, day-og, balkah, kinebbah, tuping and pamettey of the Ikalahans. These knowledge systems have been practiced by the indigenous peoples in the Cordillera and have been transmitted from generation to generation, making their way of life in harmony with their physical and social surroundings. While culture is environment specific, adoption/transfer of some indigenous technologies that may be fitting to other cultures and communities, with a little modification to suit their needs, can be done

Sustainable Thatching Materials Production Form Nipa in Bohol, Philippines

Nipa (Nypa fruticans), a true mangrove palm is one of the valued resources in the coastal areas of the Philippines. It has numerous economic uses, such as: production of sap for wine and vinegar, and the use of its leaves as thatching materials for rural houses, green sheds, rest cottages and other small buildings, among others. However, its production and utilization practices vary greatly from area to area. This study examines the production practices and yield of nipa in the province of Bohol, Philippines. The study shows that nipa is more utilized for shingles production other than any other uses. A mature nipa plantation can have an average of 17,233 mature plants per ha. These plants are capable of producing an average of 51,148 shingles per year. On a per site class basis, the potential production is 80,233, 52,964 and 32,243 shingles for good, average and poor sites, respectively. The study also indicates that long harvest cycles of nipa increase the percentage of wastage due to over maturing of fronds. Shorter harvest cycles yield higher mature fronds that facilitate the growth of juvenile fronds due to reduced competition for space among the nipa leaves. At least 2 to 3 juvenile fronds are left per plant during harvests and based on fronds reproduction, a 3-month harvest cycle would be best for nipa stands. This would enable frequent cleaning and release of maturing fronds from competition for space and would also prevent over maturing of fronds