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World Environment

World Environment

Volume 27 No. 3 May - June 2001 ISSN-0115-0960 c a n o p y I N T E R N A T I O N A L

All articles are incumbent to the current period.

Published by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

What’s inside . . . Editorial

Environment leads World Environment Day CI readers’ most clamored topics 2 n 1972, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 5 of each year Status of biodiversity as World Environment Day. Year by year, several countries in the world I celebrate this event in many ways, but all in line with a theme for the year. in Sagada, The theme this year is Connect the Worldwide Web of Life. Mt. Province 3 This should remind us that whatever we do, however small it may be, affects another. That each one of us, each life, each , is linked together in an Laguna Lake: intricate but fragile web which we share with the rest of the world. As such, there is a need to make the connection, however and whenever we can, between Feasible source of ourselves and all life on Planet Earth. potable water for Metro That connection can be through traditional means, through modern technology, or by joining hands with organizations, or with other individuals. The celebration of residents 4 the World Environment Day provides an excellent opportunity to translate that connection into action.

Towards A wealth of events can be organized which would link mankind’s development and comanagement of the ultimate survival with the delicate balance of the natural world. Scientific Puerto Princesa gatherings could bring together the so-called cream of the crop in science and technology that would come up with strategies to fill important gaps in mankind’s Subterranean River knowledge of threats to Planet Earth’s flora and fauna and ecosystems. National Park 5 Yes, World Environment Day can be celebrated in many varied and challenging activities such as parades along the countryside, concerts in the parks, poster and Pesticide pollution: essay competitions in schools, not to mention tree planting, recycling efforts, and An emerging theat cleanup campaigns. to the Manupali On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let Watershed 6 us take stock of what we have done thus far along environmental conservation. If we have not done anything yet, then let us resolve to do something. That is, to put Seedlings/planting our act together to restore a ruined environment, for a ruined environment could only mean a ruined society. We cannot expect to hope for a good life unless we materials: A are assured of a life-giving environment. nationawide supply Let us strive to conserve and strengthen our environment, a fragile web that we and demand reality 8 share with the rest of the world. At the end of the day, let us manifest our commitment to strike a healthy balance between progress and Earthwatch 12 environment sustainability.

Off the Press April 2004 A survey report: First of two parts Environment leads CI readers’ Methodology The subjects most clamored topics Subscribers of CANOPY International listed on the 1997 mailing roster were included in the study. The list of names Gloria R. Diokno was made available by the circulation officer. Subscribers, local and foreign, consisted of private individuals, libraries, ANOPY International (CI) is a 12- Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Chile, institutions and organizations. Libraries page, full-color semitechnical Ecuador, and many more. refer to librarians, library staff and library Cpublication which comes off the users. Institutions refer to the officials, press bimonthly. Published by the Producing and distributing thousands of faculty/staff and students of state Ecosystems Research and Development copies of CANOPY International is one universities and colleges/schools as well Bureau (ERDB), it is circulated thing; knowing its relevance and as private educational establishments. nationwide, that is, in 15 regions, usefulness to the readers’ or users’ lives Organizations refer to the officials and/or including the National Capital Region is another. Volume of production and members of associations or specific (NCR) and the Cordillera Administrative wide coverage of circulation cannot be groups, government or nongovernment. Region (CAR). considered as a reliable yardstick in evaluating whether we are attaining our The population of the study consisted of Its distribution covers a gamut of objectives in putting out this particular 50% of the 1,890 or 945 local recipients from all offices at the central publication. Who are the readers/users subscribers. This was derived through headquarters of the Department of of the CANOPY International? What are simple random sampling. With regard to Environment and Natural Resources or their characteristics? Do the readers/ foreign subscribers, the intent of the DENR with its bureaus down to the users find the information contained in study, as originally mapped out or regional offices including Provincial the CANOPY International relevant/ designed, was to do a complete Environment and Natural Resources useful? How do readers want the enumeration of the 489 subscribers. Offices (PENROs) and Community publication to present the information so However, only 100 or 20% of the 489 Environment and Natural Resources that it will be more readable, hence, subscribers sent back their accomplished Offices (CENROs); from senators’ more useful? How else can the questionnaires. offices down to Local Government Units publication be improved so that this may or LGUs; from state colleges and fill the needs of the readers or users? At this point, it may be worthwhile universities and other government mentioning that throughout the report, agencies down to private institutions, not These questions form the basic the terms subscribers, respondents, to mention libraries, public and private. premises of this study. Not since this readers, and users are used Aside from the so-called regular agency started its first issue of CANOPY interchangeably. subscribers, there is a certain group International in 1975, has it tried to consisting of students and private evaluate its own work. As such, this The instrument individuals that come every now and reader survey attempted to carry out The questionnaire was deemed as the then to ERDB to ask for copies of the such kind of preliminary inquiry. most appropriate data gathering CANOPY International. Still another instrument. This contained close-ended group that receive copies of this Objectives and open-ended with answer choices publication show up whenever exhibits The underlying object of this study is to questions which were primarily designed on special occasions are held. come up with benchmark data via a to elicit general as well as specific baseline survey that will backstop the information to answer the objectives of Also, CANOPY International is circulated usefulness of the CANOPY International the study. in various parts of the world. Its as a vehicle of disseminating research- circulation coverage has spanned two based information and technologies. The other instrument was the interview decades and a half in 69 countries schedule. It consisted of the same set of under six continents, namely: , The specific objectives set forth in this questions contained in the questionnaire. Australia/Oceania, Africa, , North study were to: America and South America. Just to ● Identify and characterize the readers/ The questionnaire/interview schedule mention a few of the countries covered: users of CANOPY Internationa; was pretested among 20 readers/users , Japan, India, Korea, , ● Find out how readers/users make use of CANOPY International in the ERDB. , , , Singapore, of the various kinds of information in Australia, New Zealand, New CANOPY International; Data collection Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Island, South ● Determine what other types of The circulation officer of the CANOPY Africa, West Africa, Libya, Somalia, information do readers/users of International who is the most Algeria, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Cuba, CANOPY International need; and knowledgeable of the whereabouts of a Russia, United Kingdom, France, ● Obtain suggestiona from the readers/ large number of subscribers took the Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, users on how to improve CANOPY lead in the data collection. She was Scandinavian countries, Canada, International. different states of the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Argentina, ) page 10 2 CANOPY International May - June 2001 Status of biodiversity ife in Sagada is very much dependent on the environment. in Sagada, Mt. Province LFarming remains the primary source of livelihood, with majority of the Marissa R. Parao households engaged in the production of vegetables, rice, swine, and fowl. Others practice swidden agriculture. The municipality of Sagada is located in the western side of the Cordillera region. Known for its scenic rice terraces, huge caves, waterfalls, pine forests, and indigenous cultural practices, it is considered one of the ecotourism sites in the country often visited by foreigners.

In an effort to evaluate the status of natural resources in Sagada, a biodiversity assessment was undertaken from March 1997 to May 1999 through observations and interviews with farmers. This is part of the study on ancestral domain and natural resources management in Sagada, Mt. Province, conducted by the Cordillera Studies Center of the University of the and the State University. The project used the Forest flora of the Sagada, Mt. Province. community-based natural resources management approach that recognizes the importance of local communities as Most of the land area of the study sites such as deer, squirrel, wild , wild cat, main actors and decision-makers in are pine forests. The establishment of cloud , monitor , monkeys, and managing natural resources. pine forests was promoted from 1900 to used to thrive in the forests. They 1940, and consequently increased. are rarely caught nowadays. Biogeography However a decrease in pine trees and According to the Department of other tree species was observable in the Diminishing biodiversity of Environment and Natural Resources 1980s. This was traceable to continuous forest resources (DENR) and the United Nations cutting without replanting. Despite some regulatory mechanisms to Environment Programme (UNEP), protect biodiversity in Sagada, most Cordillera has about 446,225 ha Mossy oak forest. The mossy oak communities believe that biodiversity has biogeographic zones of low quality; forest, also known as pagpag, or broad- been considerably diminishing. Some 150,571 ha of medium quality; and only leaved forest, is a resource base. believe that the planting of pine trees 24,831 ha of high quality. Other than Communally established, it is shared by might have contributed in protecting having Benguet pine forest unique to many communities and municipalities. biodiversity. Nevertheless, the degree of Cordillera, the region is also among the Oak trees (or payen of the Quercus extracting forest resources remains high richest national parks in the country. As family), bamboos, and other small trees as the growing population and marked such, there is a great opportunity of characteristically dominate the mossy poverty create greater pressure on such finding unique flora and fauna in the oak forest in the study site. The mossy resources. area. oak forest is generally clammier and more diverse than the pine forest. Many The quality of pine stand is largely Forest flora of the moss formations are apparent affected by the continuous harvesting Pine forest. The pine forest in Sagada along trees, although the are is largely and use of pinewood for housing is generally dominated by Pinus kesiya fragmented and relatively small. purposes, the availability of better quality and other tree remnants of the Sometimes, pine trees that have been cutting tools, the increasing population, savannah grassland type. The sun- incorporated either artificially or naturally forest fires, and the negligence to loving pine trees form thick mat of litter are found in the mossy oak forest, often replant. Nevertheless, although a forest that often limits the growth of smaller at a much lower elevation. stand continually decreases in one area, trees except in sparsely covered areas. the supply of wood remains sufficient Hence, most undergrowth consists of Forest fauna since the local people can access the grasses and shrubs of Graminae, such as , martinez, , and forests of nearby communities through Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Rosaceae, crow are common in Sagada. Often, intercultural marriages and special and Pteridophytes. migratory birds also visited the area from arrangements. August to February. Other wildlife

) page 9 May - June 2001 CANOPY International 3 Laguna Lake: Feasible source of potable water for Metro Manila residents

Carmela G. Taguiam

he Dublin principle penned in one of the UN meetings in Ireland Tstresses that freshwater is a resource to which every human being has the right to claim an essential amount to sustain life and meet basic sanitation needs. In one day, a person needs five liters of water to survive. The daily water consumption may go up to 50 L to include water used for cooking, bathing, and other activities. The Asian Development Bank reported that one in every five persons has poor access to safe drinking water. Every year, most of the 10 million deaths recorded are linked to water scarcities, or pollution. This is an outright violation of human rights.

Metro Manila has eight million residents but not all of them have access to clean water. The poor residents of the city Water extracted from Laguna Lake in a water treatment facility of the Ayala Land, Inc. shell out 10% of their household income in exchange for water that, unfortunately, comes from overpumped, Niño) affects the water level of the Angat Despite the environmental problems, the or polluted aquifers. The seawater has Dam, the major source of water of Metro Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) of the Ayala flowed into the Guadalupe aquifer Manila. Corporation taps the lake water for resulting in an overdraft, or a decrease commercial uses of the business in the groundwater level from 50 m to 80 There were reports that the MWSS, establishments and domestic uses of the m (Worldwatch Institute as cited by together with the Benpress and the residents of the Ayala Alabang Village, an Mercado, 2001). In 1994, the Maynilad had approached the Laguna enclave for the rich. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on System (MWSS) was drawing three matters relating to the possible extraction ALI began to extract 30% of the water million liters of water from the Angat of large volume of water from the Laguna requirement of its clientele from the Dam, and operating on the average of Lake for filtration and distribution. The Laguna Lake in 1994. Through a filtration 16 hours a day (Makabenta, 2001). LLDA management attested that the lake , water is extracted from the lake. However, 50% of the water extracted is a plausible alternative source of Then the extracted water is treated and from the dam was lost to nonrevenue drinking water for the residents of Metro turned into class A that is fir for human water, or water that was not actually Manila (LLDA, 2001). consumption. The treatment process billed. The MWSS was to supply two- includes coagulation, filtration, thirds of its coverage population but only The Laguna Lake is the largest natural sedimentation, and disinfection. During 10% of the clientele was serviced with surface freshwater in the whole of the first year, ALI paid LLDA P0.80/ cu m water. Thus, in 1996, Executive Order . Twenty-one tributaries for the extracted water. The amount (EO) No. 311 was promulgated by drain waters into the lake with the gradually increased in the succeeding President Ramos. This enabled the Paganjan River and the Sta. Cruz River years. Thus, in 1999, the LLDA raised the private sector to take charge in servicing as the biggest contributors. The water of fee to P1.85/ cu m. ALI, in turn, would sell the water requirements of Metro Manila the lake is categorized class C, and the treated water at P20.30/ cu m to the residents. This is so far the largest water when treated, becomes suitable for the commercial establishments in the Alabang privatization in the world. (Makabenta, propagation and growth of fishery and Town Center, and P23.87/ cu m to the 2001). Even with this new setup, the other aquatic resources, recreation, and Ayala Alabang residents (Rivera, 2000). water supply was expected to be limited industrial water supply. On the other because of the continuous hand, the lake is besieged with Extraction of water from the lake is not a modernization of the metropolis and the environmental problems caused by farfetched idea. Laguna Lake would be an increasing population. Corollary to this, industrialization and human settlement. alternative source of potable the erratic rainy season (due to El

) page 9 4 CANOPY International May - June 2001 Towards comanagement of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Alicia G. Calderon, Gaspar D. Bactol, and Lorlina A. Calderon

he Puerto Princesa Subterranean Swap Program (DFNS-P) between the park were recalled to their mother units. River is a unique natural wonder. Philippine Government and the World A park superintendent was installed. TIt is 8 km long and flows directly Wildlife Fund (WWF), a special funding Collection of entrance fees started. The to the sea. It has a wide entrance that is support was provided to the park to city government also created a protected easy to reach. implement its three-year conservation area management board (PAMB) with and management program. the city mayor as chair; the members Historical background were selected and appointed by the Due to the riches of the natural Within the three-year program, the mayor. The PENRO and the CENRO resources as well as the unique management of the park, not to mention were designated regular PAMB geological features of the St. Paul protection, was generally improved. members. Subterranean River, the DENR, in 1950, Linkages with local settlers and tribal proposed that it be declared a national communities were also established. Through Presidential Proclamation 212, park. However, it was only on March 26, Community organization as well as the “St. Paul Subterranean River 1971, by virtue of Presidential information, education and National Park” was renamed “Puerto Proclamation 835, that the 3,901-ha communication activities was Princesa Subterranean River National Saint Paul Subterranean River was strengthened. In 1991, the park became Park”, expanding its coverage from 3,901 declared a national park. a recipient of the Pacific Asia Travel ha to 22,202 ha and declaring it as a Association Gold Award for environment protected area pursuant to Republic Act A noticeable feature of the park is the category. Together with the Tubbataha 7586 (NIPAS Act). harsh mountain landscape of the St. Reef National Marine Park, the St. Paul Paul mountain range. The tropical forest Subterranean River National Park was In December 1999, the park was inside the park serves as a habitat for also nominated by the International declared a world heritage site by the roughly 295 tree species; about 95 Union for the Conservation of Nature to United Nations Educational, Scientific, species, 15 of which are endemic be included in the world heritage site list and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It including the ; the of UNESCO. Expansion of the park was was recognized for its “significant historic Palawan bear cat; the civet cat; the initiated. and cultural value” that the whole world skunk; and other wildlife species. should cherish and preserve. At the end of the DFNS-P in December From 1982 to 1986, the park could 1992, the protection and management of On July 26, 2000, also by virtue of hardly cope with the increasing threats the park was transferred to the city Presidential Proclamation 212, the of illegal logging, , illegal government of Puerto Princesa through a Regional Executive Director (RED), as gathering of nontimber forest products, memorandum of agreement. When the mandated by the NIPAS Act issued and slash-and-burn farming by migrants. city government of Puerto Princesa took Regional Special Order 385 designating over the management of the Park and assigning a protected area In 1988, through the Debt-for-Nature in 1993, all DENR staff assigned at the superintendent and three DENR staff to the park. The mayor and the RED now sit as cochairs of the PAMB.

Towards comanagement The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been managed in different ways, I.e., by the national government, then by the local government, and now, the combination of both, with the involvement of other local stakeholders through the PAMB, by virtue of the NIPAS Act.

So far, this comanagement scheme seems to work for the park, considering the improvement it has brought about on the facilities of the park, not to mention the increasing number of

ERDB researchers Gregorio D. Reyes (center) and Alicia G. Calderon (left) preparing for the sojourn to the Puerto page 11 Princesa Subterranean River National Park. At the background is the entrance to the underground river. ) May - June 2001 CANOPY International 5 Pesticide pollution: An emerging he cool climate of the Manupali Watershed is ideal for threat to the Manupali Watershed T commercial growing of cabbage, potato, carrot, beans, and other temperate climate vegetables. It is also Antonio M. Daño hospitable to a variety of pests and diseases, which attack the vegetables. On the average, the combined adverse effects of plant pests can cause losses, Findings Implications from 30% to 60%, with complete crop Pesticide residue level in farm canals The current pesticide residue is still failure if the pest attack is alarming. and rivers. Examination of the level of below the minimum residue level (MRL) pesticide in the upper tributaries of the which is a little consolation. In samples In the face of sever insect attacks, most river and some farm canals showed taken in March 2002, the pesticide level types of vegetable crops cannot be varying degrees of pesticide residues. was nil. However, if not properly grown in the are without the application Samples taken in July 2001 and May addressed, this may lead to a worsening of insecticides and fungicides on a 2002 from the Kulasihan River contained pesticide pollution in the near future. weekly basis. As the number of upland 0.1-8.6 ppb of cholinesterase, while Continuing land-use conversion and farmers venturing into the input-intensive those from the Alanib River contained 2.3 increasing use of pesticides are but vegetable business in the Manupali ppb of synthetic pyrethroid. Samples some manifestations of a worsening Watershed increases, so does the from the Maagnao River contained about pesticide problem. number of bottles of pesticides used in 0.2 ppb of cholinesterase and 0.5-2.1 the area. ppb of cyclodiene. The Tugasan River Coxhead and Buenavista (2001) reported samples, on the other hand, were that the forested area in Manupali Pesticides are one group of toxic detected to have about 1.9 ppb of Watershed shrank from about one half to compounds linked to human use that cyclodiene. Tests of runoff from two a little over one-fourth of the total area. have adverse effects on the river nearby farm canals showed an average Part of the converted land was turned ecosystem. In a meeting held with the residue of 2.5 ppb of cyclodiene and 5.7- into farmlands planted to crops such as researchers of the Sustainable 7.3 ppb of synthetic pyrethroid. corn and vegetables. This has further Agriculture and Natural Resources expanded from 20% to 40% of the total Management (SANREM) Project and the Pesticide residue in farm products. land area. Worst, due to water key leaders in Lantapan, , Vegetables coming from Lantapan sold availability, a lot of riparian vegetation pesticide was identified as an important in Malaybalay were sampled to were cleared lately and planted with contributor to the pollution in the determine the pesticide residue. Tests vegetables. The increasing population watershed. Thus, an assessment of showed residue concentration of 7.3 ppb, contributed greatly to the changing land pesticide residue was included among 1.4 ppb, and 0.4 ppb of synthetic use and expansion of cultivated areas in the research activities of the SANREM. pyrethroid on beans, cabbage, and the Manupali Watershed. tomato, respectively. Tomatoes were Research method found to contain residue of 9.3 ppb of A survey conduected earlier by Midmore Chosen as sampling sites were four cyclodiene, while pechay had about 3.6 et al. (2001) reported that on the main tributaries of the Manupali River: ppb. Tomatoes also showed traces of average, pesticides were applied on 26 Kulasihan, Alanib, Maagnao, and cyclodiene (7.2 ppb), while cabbage was occasions during the tomato season, with Tugasan. Sampling was conducted in found to contain about 0.3 ppb of only slightly lower figures for other July 2001, March 2002, and May 2002. cyclodiene. vegetable crops. Such prevalent Grab samples were taken at the lower, middle and upper portions of the rivers. Water samples were also taken from nearby farm canals and from some farm products in the are. To determine the level of pesticide residue from gathered samples, Envirologix plate kits (synthetic pyrethroids, cyclodiene, and cholinesterase test kits), a competitive enzyme-linked imunosorbent assay (ELISA), were used. Cholinesterase test kit is designed to quantitate a wide range of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. Cyclodiente test kit, on the other hand, detects cyclodiene (chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan) pesticide residues in the samples. Maagnao River, one of the four main tributaries of the Manupali Watershed, is threatened by pesticide pollution due to increasing vegetable farms using pesticides. ) page 7 6 CANOPY International May - June 2001 Pesticide… from page 6 spraying could lead to a buildup in Bioavailability refers to the amount of Local community. Pesticides may pesticide resistance. Results also pesticide in the environment available to remain on a crop after application to revealed that 75% of farmers are using the organisms. Some pesticides rapidly protect against pests in the field. more pesticides now than in the past break down after application. Others bind However, concern is often expressed years. Almost one-half of the farmers tightly to soil particles thereby reducing about the level of residues that remain on interviewed have just changed products their availability. Still others are quickly crops/foods that are sold and may find to achieve more effective pest-and- diluted in water or rapidly volatize. their way into human systems and cause disease control. Changes in the rate of Bioconcentration is the accumulation of harm. Pesticides can enter application and type of insecticide were pesticides in tissue at levels through one of several routes, such as attributed to increasing attack and greater than those in the water, or soil to ingestion of contaminated vegetables, immunity to chemicals. However, in spite which they are applied. Biomagnification, fish, and other food, via dermal contact of too much pesticide application, insect- on the other hand, is the accumulation of and respiration. and other and-disease crop damage reportedly pesticides at each successive level of the livestock used in the farm may also be accounts for about 50% of the food chain. Some pesticides bio- poisoned by pesticides when they drink production losses. The continuing accumulate or build up in the food chain. water and bathe in pesticide- increase in pesticide use will have This means that if a pesticide is present contaminated water bodies, thereby serious implications on the natural in small amounts in water, it can be affecting farmers’ livelihood. resources and local community. These absorbed by water , which in turn include: are eaten by insects. At each step in the Priority activities food chain the concentration of Awareness program and Hazards to fishery and aquatic pesticides increases. Fish can pass the strengthening of integrated pest resources. Use of pesticide is one of poisons to humans. management program. There should be the many factors contributing to the a strong farmer awareness program, dwindling fish and other aquatic species. Integrity of Mt. Kitanglad National which emphasizes on such things as Many of the organic chemicals can Park. Increasing level of pesticide can preharvest interval (last pesticide accumulate in fish and biota tissues with have serious implications on the application prior to harvesting), hazards resulting concentrations much higher biodiversity program of Mt. Kitanglad from pesticide residue, choice of than those in the surrounding water. National Park, for the vegetable farms pesticide, and pest management. While Dieldrin, for example, one of the are located at the footslope of the park. pesticides will continue to play an chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, is The park is known to harbor the important part in pest management, an extremely toxic to and fish. (Pithecophaga jefferyi), integrated approach should be used. Even concentrations of 0.05 µg/liter the (Penelopides This approach should combine, where have been shown to be detrimental to affinis), the Apo myna (Basilornis appropriate, the use of biological control fish and other aquatic animals. In the miranda), and other rare and endangered techniques and modified cultural United States, the Food and Drug species (Miranda et al., 2001). practices. Above all, the judicious use of Administration has stopped the sale of Unintentional pesticide-related wildlife chemicals should be promoted among coho salmon, after finding fish samples, kills occur in various places. Some of the upland vegetable cultivators. Most of which exceeded 0.3 ppm of dieldrin in these kills have been extensive involving the farmers surveyed in the area in late their tiddues (Virginia Cooperative thousands of frogs, turtles, waterbirds, 2000 had no idea about integrated pest Extension, 1996). and other wildlife. In the United States, management (IPM) and did not have for example, rare and endangered proper training on the use of pesticides. The capacity of pesticide to harm fish wildlife like the peregrine falcon, the bald Training on IPM and proper use of and aquatic animals is largely a function eagle, and the osprey have been victims chemicals should be promoted. of its toxicity, dose rate, exposure time, of pesticide poisoning (Virginia and persistence in the environment. Cooperative Extension, 1996). Riparian buffer zone and tree- Toxicity of pesticide refers to how vegetable integration. Riparian areas poisonous it is. The dose rate refers to Sumalde (1995) reported that in the perform a number of important functions the quantity of pesticide to which an Cordillera region, birds, frogs, spiders, with respect to rivers including the animal is subjected. It can be measured and other natural predators of insects, physical filtration leading to water nutrient as the weight of toxicant per unit which infest food crops, have virtually retention, transformation, and release. (kilogram) of body weight (expressed as disappeared from the planting fields Regreening program of riparian areas mg pesticide/hg of body weight) or as saturated with pesticides. Accordingly, currently initiated by the local the concentration of toxicant in the bees that picked up dichlorodiphenyl- government of Lantapan should be water, or food, expressed as parts per trichloroethane (DDT) died before they intensified. million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb). could get back to the hive; but bees that Exposure of organisms to pesticide pick up carbaryl (one of the new “safe” Intercropped vegetables considerably refers to the length of time the animal is pesticides) did not die immediately. They lower the amount of pesticide- in contact with the pesticide. It depends brought the nectar and pollen (containing contaminated runoff from the farm. on its biologidcal availability the poison) back to the hive, killing other Incorporation of trees, particularly fast- (bioavailability), bioconcentration, adults and larvae that share the same growing species, in vegetable biomagnification, and persistence in the food. environment. ) page 11

May - June 2001 CANOPY International 7 A survey report—B Laguna Lake: Feasible source of potable water for Metro Manila residents

Aida B. Lapis, Jesus DL. Posadas, Norma R. Pablo, and Alvin A. Faraon

ast tracts of denuded land are from wild collection, and seldom from of seedlings/planting materials in each waiting to be reforested and phenotypically selected trees in the wild, region. To substantiate the study, a V planting materials are very or plantation stands. Inadequate supply survey form was provided in each of the much needed. The unavailability of good of still poses an impediment to 15 regions to capture the information planting stocks is one of the problems reforestation. pertinent to the supply-demand problem that hinder success in replenishing our on hand. balding forestlands. Initially, in order to visualize the reality of the situation, a short-term study was In addition to the survey form, The government has exerted much effort conducted by the Ecosystems Research interviews were also conducted but only in maintaining production areas and Development Bureau (ERDB) in three regions. These were Regions II, (SPAs) and establishing seed orchards coordinated with the DENR regional VI, and X. Other regions were not (SOs). However, many of the seeds offices, particularly the research sector. It covered due to limited funds. The data used in reforestation still come determined the supply and demand were consolidated as page 9 ) Table 1. Number of seedlings in demand per region from government and private sectors and their preferred species. Government Private Region Preferred Species Total Demand Demand Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Cassia spectabilis, CAR 21,500 127,000 148,500 Samanea saman, Acacia mangium Gmelina arbora, Swietenia macrophylla, indicus, I Pinus kesiya, Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina equisetifolia, 5,150,806 4,776,041 9,926,847 Leucaena leucocephala, Eucalyptus species Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Dipterocarp species, II Pterocapus indicus, Ficus species, Calophyllum inophyllum, 1,587,200 1,372,089 2,959,289 Arius (Batanes tree) Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, , III 1,932,432 3,521,161 5,453,593 Acacis auriculiformis, Eucalyptus species Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, IV-A 296,000 163,000 459,000 Vitex parviflora, Intsia bijuga, Pinus merkusii, Dipterocarp IV-B 5,740,000 70,000 5,810,000 species Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculiformis, V Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus deglupta, Dipterocarp 7,051,305 - 7,051,305 species, Livistona rotundifolia, trees Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, VI Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Casuarina equisetifolia, 2,969,000 476,575 3,445,575 Samanea saman, Fruit trees Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Vitex parviflora, Melia VII 3,882,300 349,720 4,232,020 dubia, Tectona grandis, Gliricidia sepium, Eucalyptus species, Dipterocarp species, Mangrove species, Rattan species Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, Acacia mangium, VIII Samanea saman, Eucalyptus species, Mangrove species, Fruit 2,683,104 - 2,683,104 trees Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Intsia bijuga, IX 16,820,108 7,300,944 21,121,052 Paraserianthes falcataria, Azadirachta indica, Terminalia catappa, Fruit trees Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, Acacia mangium, Vitex parviflora, Eucalyptus species, Dipterocarp species, Pinus X 2,385,200 - 2,385,200 species, Melia dubia, Albizia acle, Paraserianthes falcataria, Fruit trees Gmelia arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Acacia mangium, XI 343,238 - 343,238 Paraserianthes falcataria Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, XII Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus species, Dipterocarp species 230,000 50,000 280,000 XIII No data TOTAL 51,092,193 18,206,530 69,298,723

8 CANOPY International May - June 2001 Seedlings… from page 8 reflected in Table 1. On this Part B of the survey report, the species commonly used by the regions are presented in a matrix.

The first part of this article published in Vol. 27, No. 2 of the CANOPY International presented the scenario of supply and demand of seeds/ seedlings of forest species in the CAR and Regions I-XIII. It revealed that the demand for planting materials was higher than the supply. To improve seed productivity of existing seed production areas in the regions, silvicultural treatments (such as rouging and soil Seedling production: A people’s organization in Magat, Diadi, engages in the production of high quality planting stocks from SPAs as source of livelihood. amelioration) should be done. These essential activities would require financial support. livelihood opportunity for the poor, such The first author is Supervising Science activity helps alleviate poverty. For Research Specialist, the second and People’s organizations (POs) are example, in Region II, production of fourth are Science Research involved in the production of high-quality planting materials including the sale and Assistants, and the third is Science seedlings/planting materials. Since transport of seedlings has been part of Research Specialist II of the Grassland seedling production becomes a the daily activities of the POs. and Degraded Areas Ecosystem

The author is Dean of the College of Biodiversity… from page 3 Mossy forests experience greater Forestry, Benguet State University,

pressure in terms of resource use than Benguet. Most changes observed in pine forests pine forests. While pine forests receive are also true in mossy forests. However, some protection, mossy forests hardly the mossy forests provide more benefits Forests keep disappearing, rivers dry do. The level of utility that the local to plants and animals than to humans. up, wildlife’s become extinct, the people obtain from pine forests is much Residents also believe that biodiversity greater than that from the mossy forests. climate’s ruined, and the land grows in mossy forests has also decreased. The inaccessibility of mossy forests also poorer and uglier every day. Plant and animal species have become poses a problem for their immediate scarcer and more difficult to find. protection. Anton Chekhov 1860-1904 Uncle Vanya (1897) act 1

Laguna Lake… from page 4 References The author is Science Research water to supply the needs of the Metro Laguna Lake Development Authority. 2001. Specialist II of the Upland Farms Manila residents. However, LLDA must Drinking water from Laguna Lake, Ecosystem Research Division, ERDB. come up with an appropriate pricing possible. . Jan 13. scheme, or a mechanism to ensure optimal allocation and use of the lake Makabenta, L.P. 2001. Private water: A matter water. The water concessionaires and of life and debt. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Water, water, everywhere, and all the users must heed whatever scheme the Jan 7. boards did shrink; Water, water, LLDA decides to implement. The supply Mercado, J.L. 2001. Human right to water still everywhere, Nor any drop to drink. of water for drinking comes largely from violated in Asia. Philippine Daily Inquirer, freshwater. And to think that only 0.06% Jan 1. Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834 of this is available for free on the earth’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ (1798) surface. This should prompt all Rivera, M.N. 2000. Inventory of users of concerned sectors to use the lake water surface water and water resource pricing wisely and craft appropriate study. ERDB-LLDA. conservation measures.

May - June 2001 CANOPY International 9 Environment… from page 2 Box 1. Description of the readers/users. assisted by four other editorial staff of the CANOPY International. There were more females among the local readers but more males among the foreign users. A large majority of the respondents, local and Subscribers or readers/users whose foreign, were married. The mean age of the local respondents was 41.20 addresses at the time when the study years while that of the foreign respondents was 39.40 years. The ages of was conducted were in Los Baños, the respondents ranged from 19 to 72. The youngest among the Metro Manila, CAR, NCR, Regions I, II, respondents, local and foreign, was 19 years old. The oldest of the local III, IV, V, VII, X, XI, and XII were readers was 71 years old and that of the foreign subscribers was 72. The personally interviewed. Those who were greatest concentration was noted in the 40’s. The local respondents’ in Regions 9 and Caraga were sent a formal education concentrated on the Bachelor’s degree whereas that of questionnaire each. Subscribers or the foreign respondents was on the Ph.D. Research was the predominant readers/users outside the Philippines occupation among the local respondents and teaching or lines of work were likewise mailed a questionnaire along education, among the foreign respondents. The bulk of the each. respondents, local and foreign, were earners of P75,000 and over as annual family income. Only after three months, when a follow- up letter was sent to each of the respondents, local and foreign, were the accomplished questionnaires mailed the response of the greatest number was cited benefit foreign respondents derived back. consistently “bimonthly, picking out from reading the CI. information that are interesting and Respondents personally interviewed useful in my job.” What respondents do with the CI after totaled 553. The remaining 392 local reading it. With regard to what respondents turned in their Manner of reading the CI. The findings respondents do with the CI after reading accomplished questionnaires by mail. Of consistently reflect that the largest it, both groups, local and foreign, the the 489 foreign respondents, only 100 number of both local and foreign trend among the majority was to “file it for sent back their accomplished respondents “look for and read articles future reference.” questionnaires. directly related to the job/interest/need.” Number of people in the respondents’ Data collection lasted for 12 months, Respondents’ description of the office/institution/organization who from May 1997 to April 1998. technical content of articles in the CI. read the CI. The respondents were The respondents were asked to describe asked to give the number of people in Data analysis the general level of articles in terms of their office/institution/organization who The statistical method used in the study technical content. The bulk of the local as read the CI. The largest number of the was descriptive statistics. This simply well as of the foreign respondents local respondents reported that 16-20 described the data in quantitative form described the technical content of articles individuals in their office/institution/ with the use of frequency counts, as “just right”. organization read/use the CI. However, percentages and the mean. Since the among the foreign respondents, the objectives of this study did not include Respondents’ description of the biggest number indicated that 6-10 proving of relationships or testing of information in the CI. When asked to individuals read/use the CI. hypotheses, no inferential statistics were describe the information in the CI, the employed. Thus, no inferences were majority of the local and foreign To be continued drawn. subscriber-respondents said that they are “completely relevant to the Results respondents’ field/job.” Length (number of years) of use/ The author is Chief Science Research Specialist and Editor, CANOPY reading the CI. When asked “how long Number of articles respondents could have you been a subscriber/reader/user recall. With respect to the number of International, ERDB. of the CI,” the largest number of both articles respondents could recall, most of local and foreign respondents indicated them, local and foreign indicated 6-10 “6-10” years. articles. Only when the last tree

Ways of getting hold of the CI. The Benefits respondents derive from has been cut. respondents were asked “how does the reading the CI. Among the local Only when the last fish has CI get into your hands?” The most respondents, the largest number been caught. frequently mentioned response from the reported “Research findings that Only when the last river local as well as from the foreign respondents are able to use” as the most has been poisoned. respondents was “mailed to me notable benefit they derived from reading personally”. Only then will man realize the publication. However, “information of that money cannot be general importance to the respondents’ Frequency of reading the CI. When field/job” was the most frequently eaten. asked “how often do you read the CI?” Cree Indian Prophecy

10 CANOPY International May - June 2001 Pesticide… from page 7 benefits, tree-vegetable integration Midmore, D., T. Nissen, and D. Poudel. 2001. provides a host of environmental Making a living out of agriculture: Some reflections on vegetable production production system is attracting interest advantages. It minimizes the problem of low quality downstream water and on-site systems in Manupali Watershed. In among vegetable farmers. Earlier study “Seeking sustainability: Challenges of by Nissen and Midmore (1999), nutrient loss. agricultural development and comparing the performance of various environmental management in a Philippine tree species alone and intercropped with Research on impacts of different land watershed” I. Coxhead and G. Buenavista vegetable association. The study uses on pesticide residue level of (eds). PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna. showed that intercropped trees waterways. Aside from vegetables and intercepted nitrogen that had leached or other farm crops, banana and pineapple Nissen, T.M. and D.J. Midmore. 1999. Aboveground and belowground would soon leach past the vegetable plantations in the area are great consumers of pesticides. To ascertain competition between intercropped root zone. Aside from economic cabbage and young Eucalyptus torreliana. the source of pesticides and Agroforestry Systems 46:83-93. the impacts of these pesticides, research on the Sumalde A.C. 1995. Environmental impact of effects of different land used pesticides and other concerns related to needs to be intensified. This their use in vegetable production in the can be implemented using Philippines. In “Selected papers on microcatchment approach. pesticide management and regulation in the Philippines”. ERMP, College, Laguna. References pp. 47-89.

Coxhead, I. and G. Buenavista, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1996. 2001. Seeking sustainability: A Pesticide and aquatic animals: A guide to synthesis of research in SANREM reducing impacts on aquatic systems. CRSP-Southeast Asia, 1993-98. In Publications No. 420-013. June 1996. “Seeking sustainability: Challenges of agricultural development and The author is Senior Science Research environmental management in a Specialist of the Coastal Zone and Philippine watershed” I. Coxhead Freshwater Ecosystems Research Commercial growing of cabbage which uses pesticides heavily affects and G. Buenavista (eds). Division, ERDB the Manupali Watershed. PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna.

Comanagement… from page 5 mandate to choose which regulations to Like many other protected areas in the adopt based on local conditions and world, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean tourists visiting the area. But what poses community consensus. The villagers are River National Park is still working out now as a problem is the fast turnover of empowered to alter regulations in the comanagement concept. If it works in leadership in the PAMB, which makes response to changing circumstances. As the management of the Mekong River in the tenure of protected area staff a result, aquatic resources have Laos, would it not work in the Philippines, unsecured. The Community increased as well as those of the forests too? Management of Protected Areas and agriculture (Baird, 1999). Conservation Project (COMPACT) which References aims to strengthen participation and Much could be learned from the Mekong Baird, Ian G. 1999. The comanagement of involvement of local communities as River experience, which could be adopted to improve the management of Mekong River inland aquatic resources in comanagers of the park is a welcome southern Laos. [email protected]. initiative. the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Areas of comanagement CENRO-Puerto Princesa. Undated. Flyer on Comanagement, defined as “the that could be explored are: a) the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River collaborative and participatory process decentralization of some of management National Park. Puerto Princesa City, of regulatory decision-making among responsibilities (e.g., patrol work and Palawan. representatives of user groups, other protection activities) to resource Jentoft, S, B.J. McCay, and D.C. Wilson. government agencies, and the research user groups or other stakeholders of the park; b) provision of a certain level of 1998. Social theory and fisheries institute” (Jentoft et al., 1998), has been comanagement. Marine Policy 22(4-5): effective in managing the operations of autonomy (e.g., in approving ang 423-436. the Mekong River inland aquatic implementing local projects); c) provision resources in southern Laos. This has of opportunities for developing been heralded as an effective tool in cooperative and interactive governance doing away with the distant, impersonal, through the direct participation of users in and insensitive bureaucratic approaches decision-making processes involving The first and third authors are Science to management, which have dominated natural resources; d) setting of Research Specialist II and Science aquatic resource management systems regulations to conserve and sustainably Aide, respectively, of ERDB, while the in the area. manage resources; and e) monitoring second author is the Protected Area and evaluation of park activities (e.g., Superintendent of the Puerto Princesa enforcement of regulations), among other With comanagement, the villagers Subterranean River National Park. themselves have been given the things.

May - June 2001 CANOPY International 11

EDITORIAL BOARD Earthwatch Celso P. Diaz Executive Adviser Praxedes Silvoza Bibiano P. Ranes Executive Editor ustralia’s Great Barrier Reefs will of the Amazonian rain forests and Arctic lose most of its coral cover by tundra are now safeguarded. EDITORIAL STAFF 2050, and at worst, the world’s A largest coral system could collapse by Gloria R. Diokno 2100 because of global warming (as ***** The rising sea levels pose a serious Editor released from a study by the Queensland threat to small island-nations, low-lying University’s Centre for Marine Studies). countries like Bangladesh and the Carlo B. Castillo Associate Editor Netherlands, and major cities like New ***** York, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Liberato A. Bacod The 1997-1998 bleaching event reduced and Lagos, Nigeria. Colorist live coral cover by 10% globally, indicating that coral reefs are a sensitive ***** BUSINESS STAFF indicator of global warming (2002 State If pollution keeps pace with population of the Coral Reefs of the World Report). growth, the world will effectively lose Flora B. Palicpic 18,000 cu dm of freshwater by 2050, Circulation Manager ***** almost nine times the total amount

Overfishing and destructive fishing countries currently use each year for Eduardo M. Tolentino (blasting and poisons) continue to top the irrigation, according to the UNESCO. Circulation Assistant list of anthropogenic impacts on Irrigation currently accounts for 70% of

Philippine coral reefs, a study revealed. all water withdrawals worldwide.

Canopy International is published bi-monthly by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) of the Department of ***** ***** Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of The United Nations Environmental About 160,000 people die every year the Philippines. Programme (UNEP) stated that the from side effects of global warming and destruction of tropical forests accounts the number could double by 2020, says Canopy International seeks to promote the global communication and exchange of for a quarter of the world’s total carbon a group of scientists at the World Health information on issues and developments dioxide emission which further Organization (WHO) and the London affecting the equitable utilization of natural contributes to global warming. School of Hygiene and Tropical resources and sustainable management of the environment. Medicine.

Canopy International accepts contributions for ***** publication but reserves the right to edit such The Philippines contributes an estimated ***** contributions. Only unsolicited manuscripts 40,960 million tons in carbon dioxide The World Water Council said there accompanied by self-stamped and self- emission annually, making the country were 26 major flood disasters worldwide addressed envelope will be returned. th Contributions must be accompanied with a brief the 47 biggest contributor of global in 1990s, compared to 18 in the 1980s, curriculum vitae of the author(s). warming, says a UNEP report. eight in the 1970s, seven in the 1960s, and six in the 1950s. The largest No contents of this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without prior ***** number of severe floods occurred in permission from the publisher, except for Asia. purposes of review and citation, provided a copy The United Nations said that the number of such review or citation is sent to the publisher. of protected areas on the planet had surpassed 100,000 and that a big chunk Views expressed herein are of the author(s) and The compiler is Librarian II of the ERDB. do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editors.

Canopy International was entered as second- class mail in College, Laguna, PHILIPPINES on 30 May 2003.

The man of wisdom delights in water; the man of humanity delights in mountains. The man of wisdom is active; the man of humanity is tranquil.

Confucius (K’ung Fu-Tzu) 551-479 BC Analects ch. 6, v. 21

12 CANOPY International May - June 2001

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