Rainforestation: A Paradigm Shift in

Transcription

1 Rainforestation: A Paradigm Shift in : A Paradigm Shift in Forest Restoration Forest Sustainability and Climate PACIENCIA P. MILAN, PhD University Professor Visayas State University

2 OUTLINE RAINFORESTATION FARMING

3 Farmers continue to cut down trees to give way for more agriculture lands and for economic reasons foremost.

4 Forest loss in Leyte Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A Source: Nueberger, 2005

5 Source: Nueberger, 2005

6 Most reforestation efforts in the Philippines focus on the development of forestry and agro-forestry system using tree species which are introduced because they are selected for their fast growth and easy germination. The species composition of the original forest that once covered the land prior to logging are rarely taken into account. Milan and Margraf, 1996

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8 Rainforestation as an option for rural development and biodiversity conservation uses native/local trees of the area to be reforested (biodiversity) gives importance on improvement of structural habitat to support wildlife (habitat restoration) supports sustainable development through organic practices in agricultural and forestry production (agroforestry) provides ecological services(watershed)

9 Operational Framework of Rainforestation Habitat restoration Biodiversity conservation Provision of ecological functions/ services

10 PLANTING SCHEME Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A

11 Sun demanding local forest tree species recommended for RF on degraded limestone hills (in decreasing order of productivity). Local Name Kalumpit Anislag Bagalunga Dao Ipil Mntn. Agoho Kamagong Bahay Molave Lingo-lingo Official Scientific Name Terminalia microcarpa Securinega flexuosa Melia dubia Dracontomelon dao Intsia bijuga Casuarina nodiflora Diospyros philippenensis Ormosia calavensis Vitex parviflora Vitex turczaninowii

12 Shade loving local forest tree species of Leyte Leyte recommended for RF on volcanic soils Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A Local Name Palosapis Apitong HairyApitong Hagakhak Manggachapui Dalingdingan Gisok-gisok Yakal-kaliot Bagtikan White Lauan Almon Guijo Yakal-malibato Red lauan Tangile Mayapis Kamagong Talakatak Ulaian Dungon Kulatingan Balobo Official Scientific Name Anisoptera thurifera Dipterocarpus grandiflorus Dipterocarpus philippinensis Dipterocarpus warburgii Hopea acuminata Hopea foxworthyi Hopea philippinensis Hopea malibato Parashorea malaanonan Shorea contorta Shorea almon Shorea guiso Shorea malibato Shorea negrosensis Shorea polysperma Shorea palosapis Diospyros philippensis Castanopsis philippinensis Lithocarpus pruinosa Heritiera sylvatica Pterospermum obliquum Diplodiscus paniculatus

13 Supports Forest Biodiversity Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A Many soil organisms help potential decomposers such as fungi and bacteria speed up decomposition of solid waste in the environment. Their presence in the ecosystem play an important role. With a cool, moist soil condition in the Rainforestation Farm, their efficiency to decompose is enhanced. The famous tarsier is found in Leyte especially in rehabilitated areas.

14 Supports Forest Biodiversity Many Philippine birds and insects depend on the forest ecosystem for survival. Frogs and other amphibians and reptiles are also part of the biodiversity whose existence depend on the forest ecosystem.

15 Reasons why the utilization of indigenous Philippine forest tree species received minimal support in reforestation programs native species especially dipterocarps grow slow; dipterocarps fruit only about every 3-5 years depending on species and locality; not enough seedling materials can be produced in a short time because nursery management of native species are not fully studied; dipterocarp seedlings (but not all) and other native species require shade and cannot be used to reforest open areas, e.g. grasslands; and local lumber species have higher wood quality but not propagated, hence, the mother trees become very rare and seed material is even less available.

16 Impacts of non-philippine species has on the remaining Phil. Forest ecosystems: Fast growing exotics have low wood quality; hence, high quality forest trees still need to be harvested in their natural environment; so timber poaching and illegal logging continue; The monoculture of exotic trees: - does not support the survival of wildlife species of the Phil. Rainforests some of which are important pollinators and distributors of seeds, - lead to the erosion of biodiversity - ultimately the extinction of species;

17 Local lumber species have higher wood quality but not propagated, hence, the mother trees become very rare and seed material is even less available; The fast growing exotics are mostly pioneer species with a short life span which support a management of repeated clear cutting and exhaustion of the soil nutrients, making reforestation more and more difficult; Growing of monoculture stand of forest trees are vulnerable to pest attack that can led to the complete failure of reforestation.

18 Effects of Rainforestation on Site Quality 1. Improvement of soil chemical properties; 2. Improvement of soil structure and water holding capacity; 3. Improvement of soil organic matter and soil color; 4. Improvement of nutrient status; 5. Improvement of biological activity; and 6. Improvement of microclimate

19 What is? A farming system that closely resembles the structure of a natural Philippine rainforest ecosystems or home gardens that promotes the use of native or local trees commonly growing in the area. It is based on a preliminary working hypothesis that the closer a farming system in the humid tropic is to its natural ecosystem, the more sustainable it is. It evolves from various efforts to sustain human food production and simultaneously preserve the biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems and their vital functions to mankind It considers farming systems to support livelihood to increase farmer income

20 Lanzones

21 OBJECTIVES 1. To replace the more destructive forms of slash-and-burn or kaingin practices 2. To form a buffer-zone around the primary forest 3. To protect forest biodiversity 4. To help maintain the water cycle and other ecological services of forest 5. To provide farmers with higher income

22 Global Warming Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A

23 Consequences of Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A Climate Change Sea level rise Ocean acidification Rise in temperature Loss of biodiversity High health risk Poor productivity Habitat loss

24 Rainforestation is a strategy to Mitigate Climate Change

25 Economic and environmental benefits of selected RF sites : A Paradigm Shift in Forest Restoration * calculated in the frame of the Clean Development Mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol ** price for permanent CER is assumed $10 (based from PointCarbon 2004) an is calculated using a discounted rate of 8.2% within a period of 10 years of RF implementation

26 Challenges and Perspective

27 Major Accomplishments : A Paradigm Shift in Forest Restoration After 16 years of Rainforestation advocacy and implementation, a total of hectares demo farms were established Issuance of DENR MC Rainforestation is used as a strategy in establishing biodiversity corridors in existing national parks and certificates of ancestral domain claim or title Rainforestation is used as a strategy for the implementation of ROAD 2020 Rainforestation evolved in different typologies Geographical distribution of Rainforestation Farms in the Philippines

28 Improve our program on: Rainforestation Rainforestation: Farming: A -education of local communities -promotion of sustainable use of resources, responsible entrepreneurship and ecotourism -compensation of displaced people through training in better agriculture production -establishing research facilities for training, local scientists, guides and forest collaborators

29 Thank you!