E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
MANGROVE ESTABLISHMENT
PROJECT IN ILOCOS SUR
Victor G. Sanidad1 and Remely A. Sanidad2
Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College
Key words: Mangrove, abandoned, propagules, brackishwater, establishment
ABSTRACT
The Mangrove Rehabilitation/Establishment is one of the component projects under the Philippine National
Aquasilviculture Program started in the year 2012 which aims to rehabilitate or establish mangrove in areas which
are abandoned, undeveloped and underutilized in Ilocos Sur. The project also ensures livelihood and food security
contribution to the community. These enable the beneficiaries of the project the inculcation of their responsibility
towards resource management.
A total of 183,300 mangrove propagules were planted from the three municipalities of Ilocos Sur to wit;
Santa, Narvacan and Sta. Maria. Community organizing and trainings were provided to the beneficiaries with
regards to environmental and gender awareness, value formation and team building. Mangrove growth were
periodically monitored in all sites with an average survival of 47.48% during the 1st year of implementation but
replanted to come up the expected survival rate. The mangrove established is now a breeding and nursery ground for
a number of marine and brackishwater organisms including commercially important shrimp, crab and fish species
and provided structure to land while preventing erosion. Stakeholders and collaborators participation were
strengthened, a way to ensure success of the project.
1
Assistant Professor III
Email: magdiwang_vgs@yahoo.com
2
Professor III
Email: remelysanidad@yahoo.com
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INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Commission on Higher Education and
simultaneously between the BFAR Regional Directors and the Presidents of the respective partners of SUC’s have
signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the nationwide promotion of the government program dubbed the
Philippine National Aquasilviculture.
Representative from the sixty one (61) SUC’s recognized by CHED as National University/College for
Fisheries and Provincial Institute for Fisheries under DA-CHED NAFES program were involved in the PNAP
Implementation. www.philstar.com
The PNAP aimed to ensure resource sustainability, to attain food security and to alleviate poverty of the
beneficiaries. Mangrove Rehabilitation/Establishment is one of the components of the program.
Establishment of mangrove areas are not only preventing soil erosion but also act as a catalyst in reclaiming
land form seas. This is a very unique phenomenon, since there is a general tendency of water to engulf land.
Mangroves forests and estuaries are the breeding and nursery grounds for a number of marine organisms including
the commercially important shrimp, crab and fish species. Hence the loss of mangroves not only affects us indirectly
but there are direct economic repercussions through loss of fishing industry. Mangroves act to purify the water from
human wastes and pollutants and in doing coral reefs are less affected. An essential component of the island
ecosystem, mangrove provide structure to the island while preventing erosion. Moreover, mangroves provide a
habitat for many different species of animals including bats, lobsters and birds. www.mangroves.jedrij.Com
OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
3.
4.
To plant mangrove in areas which are abandoned, undeveloped and underutilized
To promote environmental awareness, value formation and team building among fisherfolks
To link/strengthen stakeholders and fisherfolks participation
To provide financial and technical assistance to beneficiaries in the implementation of the project.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Mangroves are various types of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment
habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes 25° N and 25° S. The remaining mangrove forest
areas of the world in 2000 was 53,190 square miles (137,760 km²) spanning 118 countries and territories. About 110
species are considered "mangroves", in the sense of being a tree that grows in such a saline swamp, though only a
few are from the mangrove plant genus, Rhizophora. However, a given mangrove swamp typically features only a
small number of tree species. It is not uncommon for a mangrove forest in the Caribbean to feature only three or
four tree species. For comparison, the tropical rainforest biome contains thousands of tree species, but this is not to
say mangrove forests lack diversity. Though the trees themselves are few in species, the ecosystem these trees create
provides a home for a great variety of other organisms.
Mangrove plants require a number of physiological adaptations to overcome the problems of anoxia,
high salinity and frequent tidal inundation. Each species has its own solutions to these problems; this may be the
primary reason why, on some shorelines, mangrove tree species show distinct zonation. Small environmental
variations within a mangal may lead to greatly differing methods for coping with the environment. Therefore, the
mix of species is partly determined by the tolerances of individual species to physical conditions, such as tidal
inundation and salinity, but may also be influenced by other factors, such as predation of plant seedlings by crabs.
Once established, mangrove roots provide an oyster habitat and slow water flow, thereby enhancing sediment
deposition in areas where it is already occurring. The fine, anoxic sediments under mangroves act as sinks for a
variety of heavy (trace) metals which colloidal particles in the sediments scavenged from the water. Mangrove
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removal disturbs these underlying sediments, often creating problems of trace metal contamination of seawater
and biota.
Mangrove swamps protect coastal areas from erosion, storm surge (especially during hurricanes), and
tsunamis. The mangroves' massive root systems are efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down
tidal water enough so its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles when the tide
ebbs. In this way, mangroves build their own environments. Because of the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems and
the protection against erosion they provide, they are often the object of conservation programs, including
national biodiversity action plans.
However, mangrove swamps' protective value is sometimes overstated. Wave energy is typically low in
areas where mangroves grow, so their effect on erosion can only be measured over long periods. Their capacity to
limit high-energy wave erosion is limited to events such as storm surges and tsunamis. Erosion often occurs on the
outer sides of bends in river channels that wind through mangroves, while new stands of mangroves are appearing
on the inner sides where sediment is accruing.
The unique ecosystem found in the intricate mesh of mangrove roots offers a quiet marine region for young
organisms. In areas where roots are permanently submerged, the organisms they host
include algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges, and bryozoans, which all require a hard surface for anchoring while they
filter feed. Shrimps and mud lobsters use the muddy bottoms as their home. Mangrove crabs mulch on the mangrove
leaves, adding nutrients to the mangal muds for other bottom feeders. In at least some cases, export of carbon fixed
in mangroves is important in coastal food webs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove.
Coastlines throughout the world are facing serious problems of coastal erosion and threats of rising sea levels due to
global warming have increased by several folds. To control such assault of the sea on land, the nature has provided
what is called as “Mangroves”, a tropical littoral ecosystem which is more dynamic than the sea itself.
Mangrove is a non-taxonomic term used to describe a diverse group of plants that are all adapted to a wet, saline
habitat. Its distribution is circumglobal with the majority of populations occurring between the latitudes of 300
degrees N and S (Tomlinson 1986). At one time, 75% of the world’s tropical coastlines were dominated by
mangroves. Unfortunately, mangrove extent has been significantly reduced due to human activities in the coastal
zone.
Extensive development of mangroves has occurred in the estuaries of large rivers flowing over shallow
continental shelves such as the Ganos in Bangladesh, Fly River in Papua New Guinea and the Mekong Delta in
Vietnam. There are factors considered as major dominants of mangrove distribution:
1. Climate: Mangroves are tropical species and are not tolerant of freezing temperatures. Their latitudinal
limits worldwide vary depending on air and water temperatures (Tomlinson, 1986; Waisel 1972;
Sherrod et.al. 1986 nd Mcmillan 1985).
2. Salinity: Salt is generally not a requirement for growth, since most mangroves cn grow in freshwater
(Tomlinson, 1986), Ball 1988). However, they do not develop in strictly freshwater habitats because of
competition from freshwater species. Salinity is thus important in eliminating other vascular plant
species that are not adapted for growth in a saline habitat.
3. Tidal fluctuation: tidal influence is also not a requirement, but plays an important indirect role
4. Sediment and wave energy: Mangroves grow best in depositional environment with low wave energy
according to Tomlinson (1986). High waves prevent propagule establishment, expose the shallow root
systems and prevent accumulation of fine sediments.
Although early workers regarded mangrove forests as unimportant, transitional communities with a low
productivity, most ecologists today view them as highly productive, ecologically important systems. Major roles of
mangrove swamps are recognized as mangrove contribute to soil formation and help stabilize coastlines, act as
filters for upland runoff, serve as habitat for many organisms as fish, crabs, oysters and other invertebrates and
wildlife such as birds and reptiles and produce large amounts of detritus that may contribute to productivity in
offshore waters.
In addition to these ecologically important roles, it also possesses attributes that are specifically important
to humans; mangrove forests serve as protection for coastal communities against storms and hurricanes. It has been
suggested that the large loss of life (300,000 to 500,000 lives) in Bangladesh during the 1970 typhoon was partly
due to the fact that many of the mangrove swamps protecting those protected coastal regions had been removed and
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replaced by rice paddies. Mangrove forests serve as nurseries and refuge for many marine organisms that are of
commercial or sport value. Areas where widespread destruction of mangrove has occurred usually experience a
decline in fisheries. Mangrove forests also important in terms of aesthetics and tourism. Many people visit these
areas for sports fishing, boating, bird watching, snorkelling and other recreational pursuits.
Mangroves provide economic as well as ecological benefits, such as: good source of products like alcohol,
medicine, tannin, charcoal, timber and housing materials, support fisheries production and aquaculture, provide
nursery grounds, shelter and food for fish and other sea creature, protect coastal communities from storm surges,
waves, tides and currents,act as carbon sink by reducing organic pollution along shore areas, serve as recreational
grounds for wildlife enthusiasts; and stabilize the coastline by reducing erosion.
Though mangroves are faced with natural dangers like typhoons, pests and diseases, and rising sea levels
due to global warming, their biggest threats are man-made. Human treats include: conversion of mangroves to
fishponds and salt beds, reclamation of mangrove areas for developments such as piers, airports and housing,
pollution and siltation from upland communities; and human disturbance, overexploitation and utilization, such as
over-cutting for firewood purposes. http://denr.gov.ph/index.php/component/content/article/52.html
METHODOLOGY
Implementation Strategies
Duties and Responsibilities
A National Steering Committee was created in the overall policy directions and guidelines for the
implementation of the three component projects headed by the Department of Agriculture Secretary and CHED
Chairperson, co-chaired by BFAR Director and CHED Commissioner including Regional Directors and SUC’s
Presidents for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Regional Steering committee was also created in the Region which supervised policy implementation and
oversees the Provincial Management officer. A Project Management Office was also designated to oversee the
operations and management of the program in the province which was headed by the BFAR Provincial Fisheries
officer as the overall Project Coordinator with the authorized representative in the college and the Provincial
Agriculturist. The PMO also conduct periodic monitoring and evaluation with the presence of a Community
Organizer in the project area who reported to and was under his supervision. Community organizer then was
responsible for training, dissemination of information, planting, maintenance and general administration of the site
assigned to him. He was also the given the responsibility to promote environmental awareness, value formation,
team building, gender awareness and related technical aspects in the project implementation. He also helped in
ensuring the appropriate, accurate and timely payment of financial obligations to project beneficiaries and attest as
to the correctness of whatever claims for payment that the project beneficiaries might have in relation to the resource
restoration.
Capacity building was conducted and attended by SUC Coordinators, and project In-charge of the three
component projects. Details of the project were disseminated to beneficiaries and training was provided to further
understand and internalized project.
Coordination with LGU’s, DENR and other relevant agencies were done in support to the implementation
of the program. Such agreements and partnership was covered with memorandum of agreement.
Site Selection/Validation of the Mangrove Project
The PMO pre-identified priority areas for habitat or resource rehabilitation which includes priority key
biodiversity areas in the province and was recommended by CENRO/PENRO. These areas included as abandoned,
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undeveloped and underutilized FLA areas, areas identified for reforestation/ afforestation or covered by the tenurial
arrangements by the DENR. The site was also validated in terms of willingness to participate by the community,
technical suitability, mangrove species thriving in the area and accessibility.
Mangrove Planting
A standard distance of 1.0 X 2 m between mangrove propagules was observed and at least 3,000/hectare
was planted and that no more than 30% of the area was devoted to aquaculture farm. A specified amount given to
fisherfolks/community per mangrove planted and no. of mangrove survived was awarded at the end of the project.
The total number of 183,300 mangrove propagules planted in Narvacan (Paratong, Pantoc, Barbarit, San, Antonio
and Bulanos/Sulvec) are the barangay recipients of the project, Sta. Maria ( Nagsayaoan, Danuman West, Lingsat,
Biao, Nagtupakan, Suso and Sumagui), Ranchu, and Calomboyan, Santa, Ilocos Sur also included as the recipients
of the mangrove establishment project.
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project
The Mangrove areas planted were monitored every quarter to determine the growth of the plants and
gathered feedback from the fisherfolks. Results of the evaluation and feedback were forwarded to the BFAR
Regional Office for records and evalution purposes.
RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
Table I
Mangrove Planted in the Three Municipalities of Ilocos Sur
______________________________________________________________________________
Municipality
Beneficiaries
Propagules Planted
Survival
______________________________________________________________________________
Narvacan, Ilocos Sur
______________________________________________________________________________
Sulvec and Bulanos,
Students and Fisherfolks/Barangay Tanod
5,984
78.81%
Narvacan. I. Sur
Barangay Tanod
______________________________________________________________________________
Paratong, Narvacan, I. Sur Tricycle Drivers’ Asso., & Fisherfolks
11,658
21.44%
______________________________________________________________________________
Pantoc, Narvacan, I. Sur Fisherfolks
8,500
72.21%
______________________________________________________________________________
Barbarit, Narvacan, I. Sur Fishermen’s Association
13,500
79.77%
______________________________________________________________________________
San Antonio, Narvacan, I.S Barangay Officials and fisherfolks
8,000
63.53%
______________________________________________________________________________
Total
47,642
63.152%
Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
______________________________________________________________________________
Nagsayaoan ,Sta. Maria, I.S Barangay Council and fisherfolks
50,358
45.67%
______________________________________________________________________________
Danuman West, Sta. Maria, I.S. Barangay Council and SK
13,000 94.10%
______________________________________________________________________________
Lingsat, Sta. Maria, I. Sur Barangay Tanod
10,000 20.40%
______________________________________________________________________________
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Biao, Sta. Maria, I. Sur
Barangay Council and Fishermens’ Asso.
19,400 90.00%
______________________________________________________________________________
Nagtupakan, Sta. Maria, I. Sur Students and Barangay Council
4,500
0.44%
______________________________________________________________________________
Suso, Sta. Maria, I. Sur
Fisherfolks
1,500
0.67%
______________________________________________________________________________
Total
98,758
41.88%
______________________________________________________________________________
Santa, Ilocos Sur
______________________________________________________________________________
Ranchu, Santa, I. Sur
Fishermens’ Association
36,900
2.71%
______________________________________________________________________________
Total
183,300
47.48%
______________________________________________________________________________
Three coastal municipalities were identified as recipient of the project. Beneficiaries of the project includes
the barangay officials, LGU’s, fishermen’s association and fisherfolks, Barangay Tanod, Sanggunian Kabataan and
Tricycle Drivers Association. A total of 183,000 mangrove propagules were planted of which differences in
numbers were obtained due to site specification and location.
The municipality of Narvacan obtained the highest survival rate as compared to Sta. Maria and Santa,
Ilocos Sur. Mangrove mortality was due to erosion as caused by typhoon affected in the area. The site specifically
in Ranchu, Santa, Ilocos Sur where the only barangay identified for planting mangrove, with the reason that this site
should be planted to prevent the soil from erosion. Though few mangroves survived, it is expected that the
remaining mangrove grown will fully attained its growth to bear propogules for expansion. The rest of the area
planted, growth of mangrove has moderately successful.
Table 2
Replanted Mangrove (2nd year of Implementation)
Areas
Narvacan, Ilocos Sur
Sulvec, Narvacan, I. Sur
Replanted (year 2)
1,268 pcs
Paratong, Narvacan, I. Sur
9,158 pcs
Pantoc, Narvacan, I. Sur
2,362 pcs
Barbarit, Narvacan, I. Sur
2,731 pcs
San Antonio, Narvacan, I. Sur
2,918 pcs
Bulanos, Narvacan, I. Sur
5,000 pcs
Remarks
The number appeared correspond to
the needed replacement to come up
with 100%
The number appeared correspond to
the needed replacement to come up
with 100%
The number appeared correspond
the needed replacement to come up
with 100%
The number appeared correspond to
the needed replacement to come up
with 100%
The number appeared correspond
the needed replacement to come up
with 100%
Additional site for mangrove
planting
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Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
Nagsayaoan, Sta. Maria, I. Sur
25,000 pcs
Danuman West, Sta. Maria, I. Sur
767 pcs
Lingsat, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
1,500 pcs
Biao, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
Nagtupakan, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
1,940 pcs
-
Suso, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
5,000 pcs
Sumagui, Sta. Maria, I. Sur
11,000 pcs
Santa, Ilocos Sur
Ranchu, Santa, Ilocos Sur
15,000 pcs
Calomboyan, Santa, I. Sur
15,000 pcs
Total
98,644 pcs
Replacement is lesser due to another
batch of propagules planted by BFAR
The number appeared correspond to
the needed repalcement to come up
with 100%
Replacement is lesser due to site
flooding
The number appeared correspond to
the needed replacement to come up
with 100%
No replacement was made. The site
almost eroded. It needs to fix first
the area.
Increase the no. of propagules
planted, the site needed to protect for
flooding
Additional site for mangrove
planting
Replacement is lesser due to
flooding and high waves
Additional site for mangrove
planting
As a result of the evaluation during the first year of implementation, surviving propagules were counted
and replacement were done to come up with the numbers required of the project. Surviving propagules were fully
safeguarded by the beneficiaries and were enable them to repay their labor in terms of monetary incentives. Payment
of fully grown mangrove were given and an additional amount was awarded to them for the replanting.
CONCLUSION
Mangrove areas was established in the Province of Ilocos Sur with a positive results. Feedback were
gathered from stakeholders and beneficiaries as to the importance of the mangrove planted in their respective areas,
strengthened collaboration, increased species abound in the area and fisherfolks willingness to participate more in
other fisheries related projects.
Planting of mangroves should be conducted after rainy season to prevent high mortality caused by erosion
and flooding. Non-recipient of the project will also be included in the environmental awareness campaign and
internalization of the mangrove importance should be continually strengthened.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our gratitude to the following organizations and agencies who helped gargantuan
support in the project like the Commission of Higher Education, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Local
Government Units, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Fishermen’s Association, Sangguniang
Kabataan and Tricycle Drivers’ Association.
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REFERENCES
Ball, M. C. 1988. Ecophysiology of mangroves. Trees @: 129-142.
Tomlinson, P. B. 1986. The botany of mangroves. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Waisel, Y. 1972. Biology of halophytes. Academic Press, New York.
www. Mangroves.jedrrj. com
www. Philstar.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove
http://denr.gov.ph/index.php/component/content/article/52.html
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APPENDIX
Fully Grown Mangrove