Conducted by ERDB
Completed on 2011
Completed
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An investigation on the adaptation strategies of the coastal and upland dwellers in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines island was made to determine the coping mechanisms or best practices employed by the communities. Policies in the local governments were also retrieved and analyzed as to whether they addressing issues relative to climate change. Biological materials found in the project sites that are composed of mangrove formations and benthic population were likewise characterized to serve as baselines in monitoring the possible impacts of coastal perturbations.
On policy component, the case study provides a review of the relevant management options available in response to climate variability change in terms of policy and legal aspects that have been undertaken and/or that may have to be modified. It also presents the institutional mandates that have been developed, and the plans, programs that have been initiated including the mainstreaming of coping mechanism documented under the project component. This is an attempt to provide a comprehensive and updated retrieval/review of policies and programs in the environment and natural resources. Each were examined and assessed in terms of their impact on the vulnerability, and/or barriers (opportunities and needs) to the adaptation, of natural ecosystems and rural communities to climate variability, climate extreme, and climate change. The increasing degradation of natural ecosystems and rapid depletion of natural resources for each municipality have been recognized as significant contributors and as basis for drafting climate related policies and ordinances.
For biophysical component, selected mangrove formations in the eastern seaboard were studied for its baseline characteristics. Quadrat Sampling Technique was used to sample and evaluate the vegetation in the study sites in Baler, Aurora; Bacacay, Albay; Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon and Catarman, Samar; Tabaco, Albay and Ligao, Albay. Lavisarez, Samar and Gen Generoso, Davao Oriental were also characterized for its extant mangrove stand.
In Baler, Aurora, the mangrove formation is a combination of matured secondary type enriched with individuals of Rhizophora stylosa. The seaward portion is a community of Sonneratia alba and Avicennia marina with matured large individuals of Lumnitzera littorea and Bruguiera sexangula at the landward portion.
In comparison to the study site in Bacacay, Albay, the extant vegetation is composed of remnant and disturbed Mangrove cum Beach Type Community dominated by Sonneratia alba and Avicennia marina. A total of 8 species were recorded inside the sample plots. On the other hand, the area in Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, is an established Afforested and Reforested Mangrove Community composed mostly of Bakauan Bato (Rhizophora stylosa) and now naturally interspersed with colonizer Bungalon (Avicennia marina).
In Catarman, Samar, the extant vegetation is composed of remnant and marginal mangrove and beach communities. The mangrove vegetation is composed mostly of seaward mangroves notably Avicennia marina with Sonneratia alba as co-dominant. A total of 4 species of true mangroves were recorded in the plots. However, in Lavesarez, Samar, the mangrove community is a secondary type with seaward species Avicennia marina in association with Sonneratia alba as the most dominant. Similarly, in Lavigan, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, the mangrove vegetation is also remnant of the old growth stand. A total of 6 species of true mangrove and mangrove associates under 5 families were recorded dominated by Sonneratia alba and Rhizophora apiculata.
Analysis of the baseline data from the start of the study till its completion revealed that the species composition and Shannon Species Diversity Index are still the same. No new additional species was recorded and the species diversity index remain at the same level based on Modified Fernando Biodiversity Scale.
For the indigenous coping mechanisms and best practices, adaptation strategies observed by the coastal communities were documented and categorized following the UNFCCC classification of adaptation technologies. Adaptation strategies were classified into protect, retreat, and accommodate. Under protect, the planting of mangroves was identified as the best adaptation practice of the five surveyed coastal communities. For retreat, transfer of residence or moving to evacuation center were the action taken by communities whenever coastal perturbation occurred. As for accommodation, coastal households with stilt or two-storey houses remain in their abodes during times of coastal perturbations.
The households in the coastline of Prieto Diaz boasts of the presence of a three-kilometer breakwater and major marine ecosystems such as the: corral, sea grass and mangroves. Balumbon islands (Malake and Maliit) have been rehabilitated with the implementation of the coastal environment program. On the other hand, households along the coast of Bacacay continue to experience chronic flooding; earlier, mangroves were deliberately cut to pave the way for the establishment of settlement area. There have been instances that houses were built atop the concrete dike while others use mangrove poles as post of in the construction of their abodes. In the two coastal communities of Catarman, houses were built adjacent to the mangrove plantation. Because of its proximity to the sea and flood threat, a number of households have a stilt or two-storey houses.
Among the coastal communities surveyed, Baler was documented to have a history and prone to occurrence of tsunami. If and when tsunami alerts were issued by the national authority, households sought refuge at Ermita Hill. At Ermita Hill, households pray to the shrine of Sta. Isabel for protection; at the foothill of Ermita Hill a replica of tsunami has been erected to remind the people of the detrimental effects of tsunami. It has also become a tourist destination of the local folks and other vacationer frequenting the Baler.
In the upland ecosystem, household-farmers were beginning to feel the impact of climate change. Households could not understand the climate change phenomenon and were grappling with the prolong wet season as it affects the farm management practices particularly their cropping calendar.