Research Paper

Ecological insights on communal forests in the tropics: The case of Alapang Communal Forest of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines

Marvin P. Pocyoy, Jones T. Napaldet

Published on: 06 August 2024

Page: 321 - 335

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.321

Abstract

Communal forests are recognized to be of critical importance for the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) but these are often understudied. Such is the case in Cordillera Central Range with its unique biodiversity and urban biodiversity sites requiring protection like the Alapang Communal Forest in Benguet, Northern Philippines. This study documented the floral diversity, carbon stock and the community perspectives as baseline for conservation. A total of 187 plant species belonging to 145 genera and 70 families were recorded with Pinus kesiya as the most dominant species. The forest exhibited high species richness, evenness, and diversity including indigenous, endemic species and some conservation important species. The total forest carbon was estimated at 6,931.44 t with an average of 192.54 t/ha. An interesting trade off was documented in the study with the pine dominated ridge stations having lower diversity but higher carbon stock while broad-leaf dominated depressed stations have higher diversity but lower carbon stock. Community surveys revealed the willingness to protect the forest due to its crucial role as a water source, highlighting its value and the importance of preservation. These findings offer empirical evidences on the role of communal forest on biodiversity conservation, carbon stock as well as forest goods and services. Locally, these findings offer insights for conservation and sustainable management of the Alapang Communal Forest and other local urban forests.

Keyword: carbon stock, community perspective, depressed station, Pinus kesiya, urban communal forest

Literature Cited

Alapang Demographic Profile 2015 http://latrinidad.gov.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/Alapang-Profile.pdf Accessed March 20, 2020.

Ahn, C., Jones, S. 2013 Assessing Organic Matter and Organic Carbon Contents in Soils of Created Mitigation Wetlands in Virginia. Environ. Eng. Res. 18(3): 151–156.
DOI: 10.4491/eer.2013.18.3.151View Article Google Scholar

Aureo, W.A., Reyes, T.D., Mutia, F.C.U., Jose, R.P., Sarnowski, M.B. 2020 Diversity and composition of plant species in the forest over limestone of Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape, Bohol, Philippines. Biodivers. Data J. 8: e55790.
DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.8.e55790View Article Google Scholar

Balangen, D.A., Catones, M.S., Bayeng, J.M., Napaldet, J.T. 2023 Intensities of human disturbance dictate the floral diversity in tropical forest: the case of a secondary forest in Benguet, Philippines. J. Mt. Sci. 20(6): 1575–1588.

Baral, S., Chhetri, B.B.K., Baral, H., Vacik, H. 2019 Investments in different taxonomies of goods: What should Nepal's community forest user groups prioritize? For. Policy Econ. 100: 24–32.
DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2018.11.006View Article Google Scholar

Baur, J.W., Tynon, J.F., Ries, P., Rosenberger, R.S. 2016 Public attitudes about urban forest ecosystem services management: A case study in Oregon cities. Urban For. Urban Green. 17: 42–53.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2016.03.012View Article Google Scholar

Batani, R.S., Basbas, A.V. Jr, Loncio, R.S., Napaldet, J.T. 2023 Floral diversity in a secondary forest managed by indigenous community: the case of Mt. Kili-kili in Benguet, Cordillera Central Range, Northern Philippines. Biodiversity 24(4): 212–230.
DOI: 10.1080/14888386.2023.2257190View Article Google Scholar

Bhatti, J.S., Bauer, I.E. 2002 Comparing loss-on-ignition with dry combustion as a method for determining carbon content in upland and lowland forest ecosystems. Commun. Soil Sci. Plan. 33(15-18): 3419–3430.
DOI: 10.1081/CSS-120014535View Article Google Scholar

Bullong, J.R.T., Silverio, J.P., Alafag, J.I., Guron, MA, Napaldet, J.T. 2024 Development of endemicity and conservation importance indices for tropical forests and the floral diversity assessment of Mt. Natoo in Benguet, Philippines. J. Mt. Sci. 21 (3): 786–804.
DOI: 10.1007/s11629-023-8387-9View Article Google Scholar

Buot, I.E. Jr, Okitsu, S. 1998 Vertical distribution and structure of the three vegetation in the montane forest of Mt. Pulag Cordillera Mountain Range, the highest mountain in Luzon Is., Philippines. Veg. Sci. 15: 19–32.

Chyung, S.Y., Roberts, K., Swanson, I., Hankinson, A. 2017 Evidence-based Survey Design: The Use of a Midpoint on the Likert Scale. Perform. Improv. 56(10): 15–23.
DOI: 10.1002/pfi.21727View Article Google Scholar

Chechina, M., Neveux, Y., Parkins, J.R., Hamann, A. 2018 Balancing Conservation and Livelihoods: A Study of Forest-dependent Communities in the Philippines. Conserv. Soc. 16(4): 420–430
DOI: 10.4103/cs.cs_16_182View Article Google Scholar

Co, L., LaFrankie, J., Lagunzad, D., Pasion, K., Consunji, H., Bartolome, N., Yap, S., Molina, J., Tongco, M., Ferreras, U., Davies, S., Ashton, P. 2006 Forest Trees of Palanan, Philippines: A Study in Population Ecology. University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies, Quezon City, Philippines.

David, C.W., Ofo-ob, H.K., Pasi, H.K., Alafag, J.I., Napaldet, J.T. in press. Floral Diversity, Carbon Stock and Tourism Activities in Puguis Communal Forest, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines. Canadian Journal of Forest Research.de Jong, W., Pokorny, B., Katila, P., Galloway, G., Pachero, P. 2018 Community Forestry and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Two Way Street. Forests 9(6):331.
DOI: 10.3390/f9060331View Article Google Scholar

DENR 2017 DAO 2017-11. Updated National List of Threatened Plants and their Categories.https://www.philippineplants.org/dao-2017-11.pdf

Downey, S.S., Walker, M., Moschler, J., Penados, F., Peterman, W., Pop, J., Qin, R., Scaggs, S.A., Song, S. 2023 An intermediate level of disturbance with customary agricultural practices increases species diversity in Maya community forests in Belize. Commun. Earth Environ. 4: 428.
DOI: 10.1038/s43247-023-01089-6View Article Google Scholar

Dulnuan, M.M., Napaldet, J.T. 2023 Mosaic interplay of floral diversity, soil properties, disturbance intensity and elevation in the riparian ecosystem under semi-subsistence agriculture of Cordillera Central Range, Northern Philippines. Aquat. Ecol. 57: 613–631.
DOI: 10.1007/s10452-023-10033-xView Article Google Scholar

Eggleston, H.S., Miwa, K., Srivastava, N., Tanabe, K. (Eds.) 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Inventories - A Primer, Prepared by the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme; Iges: Hayama, Japan.

Escobedo, F.J., Kroeger, T., Wagner, J.E. 2011 Urban forests and pollution mitigation: Analyzing ecosystem services and disservices. Environ. Pollut. 159(8-9): 2078–2087.
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.01.010View Article Google Scholar

Fernando, E.S., Cereno, R.P. 2011 Mt Pulag National Park: Conserving Biodiversity and Natural Resources on Luzon’s Highest Mountains. 32p. ASEAN-Korea Environmental Cooperation Unit, Seoul National University, Korea.

Garnett, S.T., Burgess, N.D., Fa, J.E., Fern?ndez-Llamazares, A., Moln?r, Z., Robinson, C.J.; Watson, J.E.M.; Zander, K.K.; Austin, B.; Brondizio, E.S.; Collier, N.F.; Duncan, T.; Ellis, E.; Geyle, H.; Jackson, M.V.; Jonas, H.; Malmer, P.; McGowan, B.; Sivongxay, A.; Leiper, I. 2018 A spatial overview of the global importance of Indigenous lands for conservation. Nat. Sustain. 1: 369–374.
DOI: 10.1038/s41893-018-0100-6View Article Google Scholar

Gravel, D, Poisot, T., DesjarDins-Proulx, P. 2014 Using neutral theory to reveal the contribution of meta-community processes to assembly in complex landscapes. J. Limnol. 73(s1): 61–73.
DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2014.807View Article Google Scholar

Guldin, R.W. 2019 Tough Problems, Science Gaps, and Investment Priorities for Forest-Sector Research: Conversations at Seven Dialogues. J. For. 117(5): 462–491.
DOI: 10.1093/jofore/fvz039View Article Google Scholar

Guron, M.A., Lumpio, R.G., Napaldet, J.T. 2019 Comparison of Floral Diversity of Pine Forest, Agroforestry and Agricultural Land-Uses in Talinguroy Research Station, Benguet State University, Northern Philippines. Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (formerly Benguet State University Research Journal) 79(2): 21–34.

Hajjar, R., Oldekop, J.A., Cronkleton, P., Newton, P., Russell, A.J.M., Zhou, W. 2020 A global analysis of the social and environmental outcomes of community forests. Nat. Sustain. 4(3): 216–224.
DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00633-yView Article Google Scholar

Hoogsteen, M.J.J., Lantinga, E.A., Bakker, L., Groot, J.C.J., Tittonell, P.A. 2015 Estimating soil organic carbon through loss on ignition: effects of ignition conditions and structural water loss. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 66(2): 320–328.
DOI: 10.1111/ejss.12224View Article Google Scholar

Hsieh, C.-F., Shen,C.-F., Yang, K.-C. 1994 Introduction to the Flora of Taiwan, 3. Floristics, Phytogeography, and Vegetation. In Editorial Committee of the Flora of Taiwan (ed.) Flora of Taiwan, 2nd ed. Vol. 1, 7–18. Taipei, Taiwan.

Hug?, J., Satyanarayana, B., Mukherjee, N., Otero, V., Velde, K.V., Dahdouh?Guebas, F. 2022 Mapping research gaps for sustainable forest management based on the nominal group technique. Environ. Dev. Sustain. 25: 10101–10121.
DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02478-1View Article Google Scholar

International Tropical Timber Organization. 2012 Tropical forests for local people. https://satoyama-initiative.org/case_studies/tropical-forests-for-local-people/

IUCN 2023 The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2023-1. https://www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on Jan-Jun 2023.

Jim, C.Y., Chen, W.Y. 2009 Ecosystem services and valuation of urban forests in China. Cities 26(4): 187–194.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2009.03.003View Article Google Scholar

Katila, P., de Jong, W., Galloway, G., Pokorny, B., Pacheco, P. 2017 Harnessing Community and Smallholder Forestry for Sustainable Development Goals; IUFRO-WFSE: Helsinki, Finland.

Kl?ckner, C.A. 2013 A comprehensive model of the psychology of environmental behaviour - A meta-analysis. Glob. Environ. Change 23(5): 1028–1038.
DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.05.014View Article Google Scholar

Kowal, N.E. 1966 Shifting Cultivation, Fire, and Pine Forest in the Cordillera Central, Luzon, Philippines. Ecol. Monogr. 36(4): 389–419.
DOI: 10.2307/1942374View Article Google Scholar

Labata, M.M., Aranico, E.C., Tabaranza, A.C.E., Patricio, J.H.P., Amparado, Jr R.F. 2012 Carbon stock assessment of three selected agroforestry systems in Bukidnon, Philippines. Advances in Environmental Sciences 4(1): 5–11.

Ladoan, S.M., Vicente, G.D., Antonio, J.M., Bacate, M.M., Butag, J.L., Napaldet, J.T. 2020 Vascular Plant Diversity in Benguet State University La Trinidad Main Campus, Philippines: A Status Report and a Database to Support the Attainment of Sustainable Development. J. Wetlands Biodiversity 10: 21–42

Langenberger, G. 2004 A review of research on Philippine forest vegetation, particularly work since 1990. Agham Mindanaw 2: 11–24

Lasco, R.D., Lales, J.S., Arnuevo, M.T., Guillermo, I.Q., de Jesus, A.C., Medrano, R., Mendoza, C.V. 2002 Carbon dioxide (CO2) storage and sequestration of land cover in the Leyte Geothermal Reservation. Renew. Energy 25(2): 307–315.
DOI: 10.1016/S0960-1481(01)00065-9View Article Google Scholar

Lasco, R.D., Pulhin, F.B., Roshetko, J.M., Banaticla, M.R.N. 2004 Land use, land use change and forestry climate change mitigation projects: A Primer (pp. 43). World Agroforestry Centre. Southeast Asia Regional Research Programme, 2/F College of Forestry and Natural Resources Administration Bldg., College, Laguna (Philippines).

Lumbres, R.I.C., Palaganas, J.A., Micosa, S.C., Besic, E.D., Laruan, K.A., Yun, C.W., Lee, Y.J. 2010 Geographic Information System Based Floral and Faunal Assessment of Alapang Communal Forest of Benguet, Philippine. J. Korean For. Soc. 99(5): 770–776.

Lumbres, R.I.C., Palaganas, J.A., Micosa, S.C., Laruan, K.A., Besic, E.D., Yun, C.W., Lee, Y.J. 2014. Floral diversity assessment in Alno communal mixed forest in Benguet, Philippines. Landsc. Ecol. Eng. 10(2): 361–368.
DOI: 10.1007/s11355-012-0204-5View Article Google Scholar

Mayer, A. L. 2018 Family forest owners and landscape-scale interactions: A review. Landsc. Urban Plan. 188: 4–18.
DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2018.10.017View Article Google Scholar

Medina, M., Cabahug, V., Zapico, G. 2020 Carbon Stock of Human-disturbed Forest Areas in Bukidnon, Philippines. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.14.041798
DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.14.041798View Article

Morse, J.M. 2000. “Determining sample size,” Qualitative Health Research 10(1): 3-5.
DOI: 10.1177/104973200129118183View Article Google Scholar

Nansikombi, H., Fischer, R., Kabwe, G., G?nter, S. 2020 Exploring patterns of forest governance quality: Insights from forest frontier communities in Zambia?s Miombo ecoregion. Land Use Policy 99: 104866.
DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104866View Article Google Scholar

Napaldet, J.T., Gomez, R.A. Jr. 2018 Biomass Characterization and Allometric Model Development for Aboveground of Benguet Pine (Pinus kesiya). Ecosystems and Development Journal 8(1): 15–21.

Napaldet, J.T., Buot ,Jr I.E. 2017 Floral diversity assessment of Balili River as potential phytoremediators. Wetlands Biodiversity 7: 17–28.

Parao, M.R., Laruan, K.A., Palista, M.T. 2015 Carbon stock assessment of selected agroforestry systems in Benguet. Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research 74: 82–95.

Patricio, J.H.P., Tulod, A.M. 2010 Carbon sequestration potential of Benguet pine (Pinus kesiya) plantations in Bukidnon, Philippines. Journal of Nature Studies, 9(1), 99-104.

Pechanec, V., ?tˇerbov?, L., Purkyt, J., Prokopov?, M., Vˇcel?kov?, R., Cudl?n, O., Vyvleˇcka, P., Cienciala, E., Cudl?n, P. 2022 Selected Aspects of Carbon Stock Assessment in Aboveground Biomass. Land 11(1):66
DOI: 10.3390/land11010066View Article Google Scholar

Poffenberger, M. 2006 People in the forest: community forestry experiences from Southeast Asia. Int. J. Environment and Sustainable Development 5(1): 57–69.
DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2006.008683View Article Google Scholar

Powlson, D.S., Bhogal, A., Chambers, B.J., Coleman, K., Macdonald, A.J., Goulding, K.W.T., Whitmore, A.P. 2012 The potential to increase soil carbon stocks through reduced tillage or organic material additions in England and Wales: A case study. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 146(1): 23–33.
DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2011.10.004View Article Google Scholar

Rabena, M.A.F., Macandog, D.M., Cuevas, V.C., Espaldon, V.O. 2015 A vegetation inventory of a traditional secondary forest (muyong) in Kinakin, Banaue, Ifugao, northern Luzon, Philippines. Philippine J. Syst. Biol. 9: 10–32.

Racelis, E., Racelis, D., Luna, A. 2019 Carbon sequestration by large leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King.) plantation in Mount Makiling forest reserve, Philippines: a decade after. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. 22(1): 67–76.
DOI: 10.47125/jesam/2019_1/08View Article Google Scholar

Racelis, E.L., Racelis, D.A., Villanueva, T.R., Florece, L.M., Carandang, M.G., Lapitan, R.L. 2017 Carbon Stock Potential of Benguet Pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) Stands within a Mining Sire in Padcal, Benguet Province, Philippines. Ecosystems and Development Journal 7(2): 28–36.

Rader, R., Nu?ez, M.A., Siqueira, T., Zou, Y., Macinnis- Ng, C., Marini, L., Bat?ry, P., Gordon, R., Groves, L., Barlow, J. 2024 Beyond yield and toward sustainability: Using applied ecology to support biodiversity conservation and food production. J. Ecol.
DOI: 10.2307/2404999View Article Google Scholar

Ravindranath, N.H., Ostwald, M. 2008 Methods for Below-Ground Biomass. In: Carbon Inventory Methods Handbook for Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Carbon Mitigation and Round wood Production Projects. Advances in Global Change Research 29: 149–150.

Salcedo, P.V.G. 2001 Floral diversity and vegetation zones of the northern slope of Mt. Amuyao, Mountain Province, Luzon (Philippines). Asia Life Sci. 10(2): 119-157.

Santantonio, D., Hermann, R.K., Overton, W.S. 1977 Root biomass studies in forest ecosystems. Pedobiology 17:1–31.

Sarre, A.D., Davey, S.M. 2021 The Sustainable Development Goals, forests, and the role of Australian Forestry. Aust. For. 84(2): 41–49.
DOI: 10.1080/00049158.2021.1920207View Article Google Scholar

Scudder, M.G., Baynes, J., Applegate, G., Herbohn, J. 2019 Addressing small-scale forestry informal markets through forest policy revision: A case study in Papua New Guinea. Land Use Policy 88: 104109.
DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104109View Article Google Scholar

Seymour, F., Busch, J. 2016 Why Forests, Why Now? The Science, Economics and Politics of Tropical Forests and Climate Change; Center for Global Development: Washington, DC, USA.

Trickett E.J. 2009 Multilevel Community-Based Culturally Situated Interventions and Community Impact: An Ecological Perspective. Am. J. Community Psychol. 43(3-4): 257–266.
DOI: 10.1007/s10464-009-9227-yView Article Google Scholar

Ulfah, M., Fajri, S.N., Nasir, M., Hamsah, K., Purnawan, S. 2019 Diversity, evenness and dominance index reef fish in Krueng Raya Water, Aceh Besar. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 348(1): 012074. IOP Publishing.
DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/348/1/012074View Article Google Scholar

Watson, R.T., Noble, I.R., Bolin, B., Ravindranath, N.H., Verardo, D.J., Dokken, D.J. 2000 Land use, land-use change and forestry: a special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.

Whitford, H.N. 1911 The Forests of the Philippines Part I & II: Forest Types and Products. Department of the Interior Bureau of Forestry, Bulletin No. 10, Manila, Bureau of Printing. 94 + 113 pp.