Bringing back forests the right way

CEBU, Philippines - Developing real forests is not that difficult as earlier thought.

"I have witnessed how easy it is to mobilize people. You just have to teach them how to do it properly, where and when to start," said Rowena Bandola-Alensonorin, executive director for Integrated Development of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

Earlier, the challenge was how to get away with exotic tree species. She said that even the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was then distributing mahogany saplings. "That was one of the flaws of the past reforestation systems; we now live to see how it has failed to encourage biodiversity. It is something we would not replicate. That's why we emphasize real reforestation through native species," she said.

Why plant native trees?

In a presentation, Alensonorin emphasized how exotic trees like mahogany and teak increase the acidity of the soil, which prevent other plants to grow (underbrush or undergrowth) and multiply. Such kinds of trees are also susceptible to diseases and can easily be ravaged by insects since they are not used to our environmental conditions. Teak trees at the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve, for example, have been attacked by army worms.

Exotic trees have lower wood density and shorter lifespan; therefore, they are not as effective as the premium native tree species when it comes tocarbon sequestration. The plant community underneath the canopy is not attractive and ecologically well-balanced because the wildlings of the exotic trees grow dominantly on its surroundings.

Whereas if native trees like bogo, malakawayan, tugas, lanutan and hambabalud, to name a few, are being propagated, they have high resistance to insect and disease attacks.They create different layers of diverse, healthy, and thriving vegetation underneath the canopy, which reduce the tunnel effect of strong winds and double the ability of trees in erosion control.

Other benefits include providing a niche for insect predators such as bats, birds, predatory insects, and parasites as most of them build their homes on native trees. They also provide habitat for smaller animals and insect predators, which are important in the control of crop and pasture damaging pests, thereby reducing the use of pesticides.

By complementing the local landscape, they give an area a unique feel and provide a beautiful landscape. They provide valuable resources for the survival of faunal species. Some local animals are dependent on certain native trees to survive and/or thrive.

Benefits far outplay those of exotic species. Thus, restoring biodiversity is very much achievable!

"With the kind of ecosystem we have, native trees will bring back the forests the right way," Alensonorin stressed.

Rainforestation through GREENIN

Through the Generation, Redemption, and Expansion of Natural resources Initiatives in the Philippines (GREENIN Philippines Program), the initiative seeks to develop, protect, enhance and co-manage denuded forestlands, brush lands and degraded residual natural forests by planting native tree species.

"This is going beyond tree planting. This is watching your plant grow into maturity, thereby developing real forests," Alensonorin added.

GREENIN is aligned with the National Government's National Greening Program (Executive Order 26) and tied in with the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Billion Trees Program under the NGP (Memorandum Circular 23). It is also anchored to a bigger and integrated eGWEN (expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures) Our Cebu Program Framework, which is a five-year development program jointly implemented by RAFI and the Provincial Government of Cebu that recognizes the value of environmental protection and enhancement towards a livable Cebu.

Your tree counts

The program goes beyond tree planting. It is more on tree growing. It is anchored on the lessons and insights gained from years of undertaking sound and viable environmental interventions.

It raises awareness in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation across sectors, generate public awareness to draw participation in environmental rehabilitation and conservation, consolidate and harmonize tree planting and reforestation activities, interventions and initiatives in the province and regions, contribute to the national and global goal for sustainable development, and rehabilitate and conserve biodiversity through the planting of indigenous trees to enhance the country's forest cover.

Central planting site for GREENIN Phl forest

The DENR provided 32 hectares up there on Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City (overlooking the MCWD weir and within the 90-hectare Mananga Watershed) to develop into a GREENIN Philippines Forest. But only about five hectares were planted yet. On June 30, via the second season of the Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, it is expected that participants will be able to plant 15,000 native trees across eight hectares. Enjoined are 22 NGP member agencies, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines member schools, colleges and universities, and the general public aside from the Provincial Governments of Cebu, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato; Aboitiz Equity Ventures, DENR, DILG, and the Talisay City LGU.

Last year, the number of seedlings planted at Jaclupan reached 12,500 with a survival rate of 95 percent with the nurturance activities carried out by caretakers who replaced dead seedlings immediately. The target number of participants was placed at 20,000 with an actual attendance of 55,372 or a 176.86 excess percentage rate. The target number of seedlings was placed at 100,000 with an actual239,580 seedlings planted or a 139.58 percent excess rate. The target area size in hectares was placed at 56 with an actual 115.052 hectares covered or a 105.45-percent excess rate.

It is expected this year that participants will reach 7,500 to plant 15,000 native tree seedlings on an eight-hectare area (adjacent to last year's planting site). It is seen that, province-wide, the 51 towns and cities including Cebu City are to draw 50,000 participants or a total of 47,500 and to plant 20,000 indigenous trees or a total of 220,000 on a 107-hectare area or a target total area of 115 hectares.

"Partnerships with various institutions will enable the program to roll out as well as upscale its approaches and strategies, thereby replicating best practices and instituting significant lessons in environmental restoration in strategic parts throughout the country," Alensonorin further said.

Tree growing monitoring scorecard

To ensure the growth and survival of the native tree seedlings planted during the event, RAFI has initiated monthly nurturance activities with National Greening Program partners and GREENIN Philippines volunteers.

Through a scorecard, tree growth is constantly and consistently monitored, including the variety of plants that grows nearby or under the tree, as well as the animals that thrive on the tree and within the area, this according to Ms. Dominica Chua, chief operating officer of RAFI. — (FREEMAN)