Analysis of the Ecological Principles Applied in the Development of Rainforestation as a Critical Habitat Management Strategy in Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape

Abstract

Section 25 of RA 9147 strongly advocates the establishment of Critical Habitats to be protected, in coordination with the local government units and other concerned groups from any form of exploitation or destruction which may be detrimental to the survival of the threatened species. Assessment of interested agencies to Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape (MSPL) necessitates the establishment of critical habitat within the protected area, since the site significantly supports a diverse assemblage of floral and faunal species, with a significant number facing the status of extinction promoted by the loss of the habitat due to several threats present like deforestation and mining. One of the strategies recommended by Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) is to implement forest restoration using species of trees that are native and indigenous to the area.
Forest Restoration and Rehabilitation is one of the priority management strategies in MSPL which has the goal to save, conserve and restore biodiversity and the whole natural ecosystems of the Protected Area (PA). The rainforestation scheme which will utilize indigenous or local tree species in the restoration and rehabilitation of denuded areas within MSPL will be adopted. This project is based on the premise that: “the closer the forest tree farming system in its original species composition, the higher the potential for sustainability will be.” However, most reforestation efforts in the Philippines focus on the development of forestry and agroforestry system using tree species which are intentionally selected for their fast growth and germination. Unfortunately, in reforestation efforts, the emphasis is still on exotic miracles trees like Gmelina arborea, Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculiformis, and Eucalyptus spp. for large-scale reforestation (Milan and Margraf, 1996). The use of exotic trees contributes indirectly to deforestation, landslides and the drastic reduction of local biodiversity (Goeltenboth et al.). Tree species composition of the original forest that once covered the land before logging is rarely taking into account (Milan and Margraf, 1996).
This study seeks to present the operational framework by which the program is anchored from as well the current status of the program as an essential critical habitat management strategy. Several milestones have been accomplished in the program in collaboration Haribon Foundation Inc.’s program Rainforest Organizations and Advocates (ROAD) to 2020 as an environmental conservation movement committed to restore one million hectares of Philippine rainforests using native tree species by year 2020 to sustain provision of ecological goods and services by year 2020 through an informed and engaged public. These include restoration of 22.48 hectares ( MSPL has a total land area of 1,935 hectares) maintained by two people's organizations (POs), KAMAPAKA and NAGMACAPAK as well as livelihood activities implemented which include individual and communal Bio-Intensive Gardening (BIG), fish culture, goat raising system.