Gmelina boom, farmers’ doom: Tree growers’ risks, coping strategies and options

A strong belief by Clavaria farmers that there is ‘gold in Gmelina growing’ turned out to be a huge frustration among tree out growers in southern Philippines in the late 1990s. The lack of a market study and appropriate government support system to address farmers’ tree growing risks resulted in a great loss, not only financially but also in terms of local people’s confidence in tree growing in the area. A large number of tree growers returned to subsistence farming while others opted to have their land rented out to multi-nationals for high value crops production (including bananas and pineapples). However, the majority shifted to fruit bearing trees. Ten farmers were interviewed using Problem in Context analysis, and they made various recommendations for government to improve the financial performance and regulatory environment for tree farming. These recommendations included the removal of the cutting permit requirements for timber grown in private woodlots, setting the wood price regulatory system to safeguard the interest of small tree growers, providing wood market information and strategic networks for tree growers to find alternative markets or use for their timber produce, and encouraging the private sector to establish small wood processing plants in every municipality in order to provide ready markets for timber produce. It was also suggested that government initiate contract tree growing between the private sector and farmers’ groups, provide more planting area for interested tree growers, and assist small tree farmers to form or strengthen local cooperatives

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

Retrospective Survey on Major Cattle Diseases in Guto Gida woreda, Eastern Wollega, Nekemte, Ethiopia

Retrospective survey of five years was conducted from February 2009 to October 2014 to investigate the extent of major cattle disease and different treatment combination in Guto Gida woreda of eastern Wollega zone. Accordingly in all of the studied years the combination of the treatment is antibiotics only, anti helminthes only, acaricide only and one or more combinations. Cattle health problem is the fore front problem of livestock development extension programs in the study area. Infectious, parasitic and miscellaneous diseases are the leading causes of mortality, production losses, reduce growth rate, reduce reproduction ability of animals, down grade of cattle products and food borne diseases were principal problems necessitating appropriate control programs

Modelling the dynamics of agroforestry adoption in the uplands of Southern Philippines using companion modelling approach

A model was developed following an iterative process based on repetitive back-and-forth steps between the model and field activities. A Multi Agent System (MAS) was integrated with a Role-Playing Game (RPG) to understand the dynamics of agroforestry adoption in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. The model simulated and observed different scenarios: cumulative income of agroforestry adopters and non-adopters, impact of market information on farm income, and neighbour effects on the spread of agroforestry adoption. Results of the computer simulations were verified using farmer games and focus group discussions. Agroforestry and non-agroforestry farmers were invited to participate in the role-playing game in order to understand more precisely and validate the model. During the conduct of the role-playing game, the individual behaviour of agents under a number of scenarios and the properties of the system emerging from their interactions were examined and discussed among the players. The model scenarios and role-playing game can serve as a decision support for policymakers, farmers and other stakeholders towards sustainable management of resources. It is envisioned to produce information useful for understanding the decision-making strategies of farmers with regard to agroforestry adoption that can be essential to the success of efforts to address the sustainability of upland areas in the Philippines and elsewhere in south-east Asia

Ecological Value Of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) at Tropical Evergreen Aglaia-Streblus Forest of Meru Betiri National Park, East Java, Indonesia

As part of carbon pools, forest soil stores soil organic matter (SOM) that contains many elements including organic C, N, P, and K. These elements contribute nutrients for biogeochemical cycles within the ecosystem. This study was done to determine the ecological value of forest soil organic matter at tropical evergreen Aglaia-Streblus forest of Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP), East Java, Indonesia. The data were sampled along gradient topography in Pringtali tropical forest of TMBNP. Direct measurements of soil moisture, temperature, and pH were taken in the field. The soil samples were extracted from 6 points of soil solum using soil auger, and then oven-dried to get value of dry-weight. The elements content of organic C, N, P, and K were analyzed and estimated at the laboratory. The ecoval of SOM was appraised using developed ecological valuation tool. The result showed that SOM contributed higher ecoval of organic C (66.03 Mg ha-1) than other elements. Compared to P and K elements, N had the highest stock of element content. However, comparing to other two tropical forest ecosystems of Asia the ecoval of SOM elements in TMBNP was relatively low because of its natural geomorphological features.The ecoval of SOM elements in TMBNP was relatively low because of its natural geomorphological features. The ecovals contributed about 2.440,64 - 6.955,50 USD or  31.271.923,73 - 89.120.837,23  IDR per hectare of ecological value (d) to the ecosystem. This value was mainly contributed by organic C stock in the TMBNP forest SOM. It means the forest SOM had higher element content of organic C than N, P, and K elements. This d value is an indicator for TMBNP to protect the SOM elements meaning protecting their resources to sustain the biogeochemical cycles in the forest ecosystem. All the management and policy correlated to this protected area should consider this valuable information for their plan and actions

Patterns and Processes in Population Divergence of 'Microlaena stipoides' (Labill.) R. Br.

The distribution of 'Microlaena stipoides' (Labill.) R. Br. on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales was examined by surveying 101 paddocks on 33 commercial properties. Greater abundance of 'M. stipoides' was observed on the eastern side and the southern half of the Northern Tablelands where rainfall and altitude were higher. Pasture management correlates that were significantly associated with abundant 'M. stipoides' were high tree density, minimum soil disturbance and long period since last cultivation. Greater abundance of 'M. stipoides' was observed in paddocks containing other year-long green perennials, cool season annuals and exotic sown species in addition to warm season perennials and annuals. 'Microlaena stipoides' grew well in association with other perennial grasses found in permanent pastures, such as 'Lolium perenne', 'Damlis glomerata', 'Poa pratensis' and 'Phalaris aquatica', which may indicate the permanency of these species associations

Ecological Value of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) at Tropical Evergreen Aglaia-Streblus Forest of Meru Betiri National Park, East Java, Indonesia

As part of carbon pools, forest soil stores soil organic matter (SOM) that contains many elements including organic C, N, P, and K. These elements contribute nutrients for biogeochemical cycles within the ecosystem. This study was done to determine the ecological value of forest soil organic matter at tropical evergreen Aglaia-Streblus forest of Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP), East Java, Indonesia. The data were sampled along gradient topography in Pringtali tropical forest of TMBNP. Direct measurements of soil moisture, temperature, and pH were taken in the field. The soil samples were extracted from 6 points of soil solum using soil auger, and then oven-dried to get value of dry-weight. The elements content of organic C, N, P, and K were analyzed and estimated at the laboratory. The ecoval of SOM was appraised using developed ecological valuation tool. The result showed that SOM contributed higher ecoval of organic C (66.03 Mg ha-1) than other elements. Compared to P and K elements, N had the highest stock of element content. However, comparing to other two tropical forest ecosystems of Asia the ecoval of SOM elements in TMBNP was relatively low because of its natural geomorphological features.The ecoval of SOM elements in TMBNP was relatively low because of its natural geomorphological features. The ecovals contributed about 2.440,64 - 6.955,50 USD or  31.271.923,73 - 89.120.837,23  IDR per hectare of ecological value (d) to the ecosystem. This value was mainly contributed by organic C stock in the TMBNP forest SOM. It means the forest SOM had higher element content of organic C than N, P, and K elements. This d value is an indicator for TMBNP to protect the SOM elements meaning protecting their resources to sustain the biogeochemical cycles in the forest ecosystem. All the management and policy correlated to this protected area should consider this valuable information for their plan and actions

Intervención educativa sobre medios alternativos para la rehabilitación respiratoria en la comunidad. 2015

Respiratory diseases, including smoking, along with cardiovascular diseases, are the most prevalent in the world, and they cause increased mortality and morbidity.  It is important the fulfillment of rehabilitation professionals in providing quality services. This work has a main objective to increase motivation among rehabilitation professionals proposing alternative means for the community. It was performed a prospective study of educative intervention in 40 workers of «13 de Marzo» polyclinic in the first trimester of 2015. It was applied the System of Educative Activities, offering alternative resources readily available. At the end of the intervention it was achieved an increased motivation of participants when comparing the final data with the initial diagnosis. It was declared that the main cause was the lack of resources at the department. The motivation of the participants was significant. There were evidenced different alternatives for which some resources may be substituted.Las enfermedades respiratorias, incluyendo el tabaquismo, son, junto a las cardiovasculares, las más prevalentes en el mundo y las que mayor mortalidad y morbilidad ocasionan. Cobra importancia el desempeño de los profesionales de rehabilitación para prestar servicios de calidad. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo aumentar la motivación de los profesionales de rehabilitación, proponiendo medios alternativos de la comunidad. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de intervención educativa con 40 trabajadores del policlínico 13 de marzo en el primer trimestre del 2015. Se aplicó el sistema de actividades educativas, se ofrecen recursos alternativos de fácil adquisición y utilización. Al finalizar la intervención se logró elevar la motivación de los participantes, al comparar los datos finales con la encuesta inicial, se expone como causa principal la falta de recursos en el departamento. La motivación de los participantes resultó ser significativa. Se mostraron las diferentes alternativas por las cuales se pueden sustituir algunos recursos

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

The contribution of insects to global forest deadwood decomposition

The amount of carbon stored in deadwood is equivalent to about 8 per cent of the global forest carbon stocks. The decomposition of deadwood is largely governed by climate with decomposer groups—such as microorganisms and insects—contributing to variations in the decomposition rates. At the global scale, the contribution of insects to the decomposition of deadwood and carbon release remains poorly understood. Here we present a field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents. We find that the deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels. Precipitation affects the decomposition rates negatively at low temperatures and positively at high temperatures. As a net effect—including the direct consumption by insects and indirect effects through interactions with microorganisms—insects accelerate the decomposition in tropical forests (3.9% median mass loss per year). In temperate and boreal forests, we find weak positive and negative effects with a median mass loss of 0.9 per cent and −0.1 per cent per year, respectively. Furthermore, we apply the experimentally derived decomposition function to a global map of deadwood carbon synthesized from empirical and remote-sensing data, obtaining an estimate of 10.9 ± 3.2 petagram of carbon per year released from deadwood globally, with 93 per cent originating from tropical forests. Globally, the net effect of insects may account for 29 per cent of the carbon flux from deadwood, which suggests a functional importance of insects in the decomposition of deadwood and the carbon cycle