FROM RIDGE TO REEF An Ecosystem Based Approach to Biodiversity Conservation and Development in the Philippines
Background
SEARCA is WorldFish Center’s partner along with the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) in a USAID-funded project titled, From Ridge to Reef: An Ecosystem Based Approach to Biodiversity Conservation and Development in the Philippines. The project aimed to address key issues affecting biodiversity conservation around the Mt. Malindang area in Mindanao, Philippines. Mt. Malindang and its environs were identified as extremely high priority conservation area under the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The watersheds connected to the coastal systems via Langaran and Layawan Rivers within Mt.Malindangserved as ideal settings for the project. Langaran River, which supplies irrigation water to adjacent farmlands, is threatened with prevalent quarrying and illegal fishing methods. In contrast, the Layawan River was regarded as the “Cleanest and Greenest River” both at the regional and national levels.
The Ridge to Reef program was conceived considering the unique features of Mt. Malindang. As recipient of various conservation programs including the Biodiversity for Research Programme (BRP) implemented by SEARCA and funded by the government of the Netherlands in 2001–2005, Mt. Malindang is a strategic site for piloting and modifying biodiversity conservation measures. In turn, it shall serve as a model site of a complex environment integrated in one framework for more sustainable biodiversity conservation.
Key Project Components
Addressing the problems of the coastal communities was based on three thematic areas:
- Reversing degradation of coastal resources;
- Enhancing livelihoods of coastal people; and
- Capacity building and information/database management.
The Ridge to Reef program had eight specific components, namely:
Project 1: Understanding material transfers from watersheds and reducing ‘downstream’ effects of agriculture and forestry on coastal aquatic ecosystems.
Project 2: Addressing non-optimal use of resources through valuation and “environmental payments”
Project 3: Identifying, mapping and strengthening management of critical coastal habitats
Project 4: Understanding the factors determining livelihoods for poor coastal people and facilitate the application of ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
Project 5: Restoring production from capture fisheries
Project 6: Developing technologies for alternative or supplementary livelihoods for coastal people
Project 7: Resource mapping (Biodiversity Information System) for effective resource management and monitoring.
Project 8: Capacity Building in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management
The WorldFish Center, as lead implementing agency, handled Projects 3 to 7, while ICRAF was responsible for Projects 1 and 2. SEARCA handled Project 8 on Capacity Building, which is considered a critical component to ensure the continuity of biodiversity conservation efforts through enhanced capabilities and technical know-how of the beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
Immediate Results
For the Capacity Building in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management Component, the following are the immediate results:
- Provision of knowledge to 998 participants on the environmental issues and environment-related concerns of the Ridge to Reef Program and the important planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation skills.
- Development of action plans addressing environmental concerns related to the coastal resources.
- Other important information transformed into usable form such as two-dimensional maps for the upland, midland, and lowland/coastal portions of the watershed, three-dimensional maps for the upland and midland barangays, as well as decision-maps using a GIS program.
- Contributions to the revival and strengthening of Iligan Bay Alliance of Misamis Occidental (IBAMO) and initial activities for the organization of Misamis Occidental Mangrove Management Association (MOMMAI).
- Introduction to alternative and supplemental livelihood options.
- Development of business plans, 35 of which were funded by WorldFish.
- Involvement of selected Subanen groups in some Ridge to Reef Program activities.
- Documentation and assessment of the Subanen’s indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) of conservation and natural resource management.
- Nine training proceedings distributed to participants, as well as, seven types of information, education and communication (IEC) materials produced by other agencies on the state of coastal resources in the area.
- Several knowledge products developed and made available through the SEARCA website and SEARCA Diary.
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