Biocultural Diversity of Sarangani Province, Philippines: an Ethno-Ecological Analysis
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Rice Science, 2015, 22(3): 138í146 Biocultural Diversity of Sarangani Province, Philippines: An Ethno-Ecological Analysis 1 2 1 3 Florence Lasalita ZAPICO , Catherine Hazel AGUILAR , Angelie ABISTANO , Josephine Carino TURNER , 4 Lolymar Jacinto REYES (1Science Department, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Fatima, General Santos 9500, the Philippines; 2Graduate School, Crop Science Cluster, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, the Philippines; 3Galing Foundation Incorporated, Dole Philippines Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative Inc. Homes, General Santos 9500, the Philippines; 4Sociology Department, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mindanao State University-Fatima, General Santos 9500, the Philippines) Abstract: This paper discussed effects of lowland-associated influences on upland ecology, food security and biocultural diversity in the Sarangani farming communities of the Philippines. In the uplands of Sarangani Province, the conservation of traditional rice varieties, the centrality of rice in tribal life, and the continued observance of planting rituals attest to its cultural significance and convey a common desire for cultural preservation and community solidarity. Economic and socio-political pressures had transformed tribal communities, although vestiges of traditional farming systems are still being practiced in remote sitios (villages). Changing land use patterns had also resulted in shrinking farm sizes and consequently in food insecurity in the Sarangani uplands. Extractive industries (i.e. logging, mining and charcoal making) and swidden farming were observed to cause widespread environmental degradation, while modern agriculture had undermined the capacity of indigenous peoples to survive because of their complete dependence on lands and resources.
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