ECOLOGICAL ZONING AS A POLICY TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

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1 ECOLOGICAL ZONING AS A POLICY TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL Candido A. Cabrido, Jr. School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines, Diliman

2 ECOLOGICAL ZONING Assessing, delineating and marking areas based on their biophysical or natural and anthropogenic attributes to regulate land uses and natural resources development in accordance with their ecological integrity and carrying capacity.

3 ECOLOGICAL ZONING Zoning is commonly employed as a land and water use planning and regulatory tool to guide and direct the type of development most favorable or advantageous to the growth and development of an area considering its ecological constraints and socio-economic objectives.

4 TYPES OF ECOLOGICAL ZONING Agroecological zoning Comprehensive environmentallycritical areas network (ECAN) zoning Protected Area Zoning Ecotourism zoning Apply same principles but employ different approaches and methods.

5 AGROECOLOGICAL ZONING Delineation of agricultural lands according to their existing and potential levels of suitability to various crops. Uses scientific data for agricultural land use planning Basis for comparing highest and best uses of agricultural lands from the environmental and economic perspectives.

6 Climatic inventory Climatic requirements of crops Soil requirements of crops Soil resources inventory Agroclimatic suitability of crops Agroedaphic suitability of crops Agroecological Zones

7 Agroecological zoning Soil resources survey and inventory derivation of soil mapping units Climatological survey derivation of thermal regimes, LGP, LGP pattern (isolines) Crop phenology and biophysical requirements GIS overlay mapping Agroedaphic suitability assessment of crops Agroclimatic suitability of crops Agroecological zoning crop suitability map

8 CLIMATE CHANGE SENSITIVE FEATURE OF AEZ Thermal regime and precipitation models compute the effects of temperature increase on evapotranspiration, soil moisture availability and biomass and yield of crops.

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10 Land Resources Inventory Map Mainland Palawan 1 Focus Focus Focus 3 Focus 4 6 Focus 5 Focus 6

11 CLIMATIC RESOURCES INVENTORY

12 Application of Ecological Zoning The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) adopted ecological zoning as a management tool to implement its Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) law or RA Under the SEP law, zoning of environmentallycritical areas network (ECAN) aims to prescribe the appropriate uses and management of certain classes of land and water bodies. The goal of ECAN zoning is the conservation and protection of the natural wealth and ecosystem services of Palawan province.

13 ECAN ZONING Methods and procedures Establishes zoning classification and criteria Conducts resource surveys and mapping flora, fauna, coastal resources and habitats (mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, reef fish, marine mammals and sea turtles) Employs remote sensing and prepares SIM Prepares thematic maps (13 maps) Prepares composite map Ecological zones map

14 ECAN Zonal Classification Terrestrial Component 1) Core zone 2) Buffer zone a) Restricted use b) Controlled use c) Traditional use 3) Terrestrial Multiple/Manipulative Use 4) Tribal Ancestral Lands

15 ECAN ZONAL CLASSIFICATION Coastal/Marine Component 1) Core zone 2) Multiple use zone a) Buffer zone b) General use zone i) Communal fishing ground ii) Tourist Development Area iii) Visitor Use Area iv) Sustainable Development Area v) Existing Use/Maintenance Area 3) Ancestral Coastal/Marine Waters

16 Criteria for ECAN Zoning Elevation and slope Type and condition of forest Type and condition of habitat Existing use of land and coastal waters Biodiversity status of terrestrial flora and fauna and coastal/marine habitats Presence of coral reefs and seagrass beds Presence of endangered species of flora and fauna Areas declared as protected areas

17 ECAN ZONING CRITERIA Coastal and marine Core zone Coral reefs with % cover Seagrass beds with > 50 % cover, sightings of Dugong dugong, and which serve as link habitat between mangroves and coral reefs Endangered habitat = Present All areas with standing mangrove forest cover Uninhabited islands with area < 500 has Protected areas

18 ECAN zoning criteria Coastal and marine Restricted use zone Abandoned fishpond Occupied areas contributing to important ecological processes Buffer zone Area between core zone and sustainable use zone

19 ECAN zoning criteria Coastal and marine Sustainable use zone Communal fishing grounds Areas with potential for tourism development Areas where appropriate recreation/educational and development activities are suitable

20 Relevant thematic layers Land cover Slope Altitude Land classification Habitat of endangered species Flora biodiversity Mountain peaks Coral reefs Seagrass Mangroves Fishing grounds Islands / islets Tourism development

21 AREA COVERAGE OF ECAN ZONING Target - all municipalities of Palawan province With comprehensive ECAN zones management framework one city and 7 municipalities in the north as of 2006 ECAN zoning is continuing at present covering other municipalities Integrated into CLUP and Tourism Development Plan

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26 12.4 SEAGRASS WITH HIGH CANOPY COVER AND SITES WITH FEEDING TRACKS OF DUGONG DUGON

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30 Environmental Management Plan Zoning translated into a zoning ordinance and serves as a basis for formulating the Environmental Management Plan Management Plan provides details on the policies, strategies, actions, institutions and funding to implement the ECAN Zones Management Guidelines.

31 IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT SUCCESS DEPENDS ON: Presence of a legal mandate and framework Local participation in enforcement Shared governance and partnership Dedicated IEC and advocacy campaigns Peer pressure and incentive system Skills training and alternative sustainable livelihood Investment in human capital development Ensuring sustainable financing Promoting property rights and usufructuary rights

32 END OF PRESENTATION Thank You