+049 536 2807      kaigangan.uplb@up.edu.ph

Research

Propagation and Conservation of the Top Priority Plants in the Forests over Limestone of Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), Samar Island, Philippines

March 03, 2025

Anne Frances V. Buhay

This project is an off-shoot of the Phase 2 project on localized conservation strategies of plant resources in SINP. The identified top 20 priority species for conservation based on the Localized Conservation Priority Index (LCPI) is further studied. Also funded by DOST-PCAARRD, the CONserve KAIGANGAN research team will develop protocols for seedling production, promoting food security and forest services, while providing local communities with opportunities to engage in conservation and earn revenue by selling seedlings to government programs.

The main objective of this research is to develop strategies for increasing seed and seedling production through sexual and asexual propagation methods for the conservation of the top priority plant species in the forests over limestone of Samar Island, Philippines. The specific objectives of this research are to:

  1. Determine the pre-sowing treatment that will best increase the seed germination rate and enhance the growth performance of the available top priority plants;
  2. Determine the treatment that will yield the best rooting performance and optimal growth and development of the vegetative propagules of the available top priority plants;
  3. Assess the growth performance of the wildlings of the available top priority plants; and
  4. Propose recommendations for the conservation of the top priority plants in relation to plant propagation.

Biodiversity Assessment of Riparian Zones in Ulot River in Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) Kaigangan

January 08, 2024

Anne Frances V. Buhay

This project assesses biodiversity and land use in the riparian zones of SINP, defining “riparian zone” to include both the river and adjacent land, unlike other studies that focus solely on the terrestrial area. Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), the study will provide recommendations for flood control and biodiversity protection in both terrestrial and riparian environments. It also engages local stakeholders in conservation activities. The project aims to contribute to SDGs 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 17. In 2 years, the research team will conduct biophysical assessments, geomorphological analysis of the Ulot watershed, and focus group discussions with households and protected area staff.

The general objective of this project is to assess the floral biodiversity of Ulot River in Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) and come up with sustainable conservation and management practices for the reduction of adverse climate change impacts and flood risk to human communities and farms in the riparian zone. The specific objectives of this research are to:

  1. Determine the Ulot River morphology, tributaries and land use types (farm, forest, aquatic, residential) in the riparian ecosystem of the Samar’s kaigangan;
  2. Inventory biodiversity (plant and animal) in various land use types in the upper, middle and downstream portions of Ulot River;
  3. Assess the ecological properties of biodiversity and the diversity indices of the upper, middle and downstream stretch of Ulot River;
  4. Analyze the factors influencing species data (natural and anthropogenic disturbance, soil, rainfall, temperature); and
  5. Establish priority zones for conservation based on biophysical and social data gathered using GIS technology.