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Adapting to a Changing Environment

Western Philippines University

Puerto Princesa, Filipinas

An Overview Of Our Solution

Who is this solution impacting?
Ecossistema
Freshwater
Freshwater
Urban Built Environment
Urban/Built Environment
Additional Information
  • Population Impacted:
  • Continent: Asia
General Info

Endereço

Sta. Monica
Puerto Princesa
Filipinas

E-mail

lycasandrea_castro@yahoo.com
Problem

População impactada

Barangay Berong has a total population of around 2,000 and most of the residents are dependent on fishing and farming.

Tamanho

around 2,000 residents

Principais ocupações

fishing and farming

Recursos locais dos quais a comunidade depende e com que finalidade

Fishery resources and mangroves (Nypa fruticans and Lumnitzera racemosa), for livelihood

Ameaças locais aos recursos

pollution, overharvesting, cutting/ clearing

Perigos climáticos

Tagbunsaing Lake in Berong, Quezon, Palawan is a brackish lake which automatically opens to the sea every August and close by sand shifting every December. Before, it was a blessing for the Tagbanua tribes since it provides them sheltered fishing grounds during typhoon, with both marine and freshwater fishes. However, the road construction had blocked the natural process of the lake and mining explorations continually threatens them and their ancestral lands with health hazards, informal settlers, pollution, soil erosion/landslides, etc.(pers comm. Danglong 2012 - Barangay Captain and former President of Berong-Aramaywan Tagbanua Association).

Nível de sensibilidade

Because of growing population of migrants, competition in the use of fishery resources and mangroves (Nypa fruticans) are also increasing. Informal settlers near the lake are causing more pollution and continuous mining operations leads to greater destruction of their forests.

Nível de capacidade adaptativa

The Tagbanua tribes are trying to cope up with the loss of their livelihood sources due to pollution and disturbances in their natural fishing grounds by utilizing the Nypa fruticans in making palm roof and mats and trying to aquaculture in the lake.
Solution

The road should be replaced with a bridge to restore the ecological processes in the lake, reduce hazard risk, and naturally improve food security and livelihood for the community.This is the plea of the Tagbanua tribes and I have tried to request to the Provincial government but doesn't have an action yet. Demolish/ relocate the informal settlers beside the lake to reduce direct sources of pollution that cause algal bloom and minimize human vulnerabilities being a natural flood control. The indigenous group are not staying near the lake, which is actually part of their ancestral lands, because they value its ecological importance. However, they find difficulties in prohibiting migrants to settle and compete with them in the use of resources. Empower the indigenous people to assert their right and improve their livelihood sources through organizing training-workshops on human rights and environmental laws.

Results

Custos Ecológicos

increase fishing inside the lake, competition/overharvesting of resources

Benefício Ecológico

normal flow of water in and out of the lake, buffer against coastal flooding, cleaning of the lake through the removal of algae with its water movement, restoration of fishery resources diversity within the lake, control of macrophytes growth, etc. Demoli

Indicadores Econômicos usados para medir o benefício

water quality of lake, diversity of fishery resources, normal growth of aquatic macrophytes

Custo comunitário/social

Conflict of interest with informal settlers

Benefício Social/Comunitário

empowered and environmentally aware citizens and indigenous groups

Indicadores comunitários/sociais usados para medir o benefício

Number of residents in Berong, Quezon (>2,000), particularly the Tagbanua tribe (BATA)

Custo Econômico

Cost for the removal of road and construction of bridge, relocation site/expenses for the informal settlers

Benefício económico

Increase sources of food and livelihood for the community

Indicadores Ecológicos usados para medir o benefício

Attendance/community participation in road to bridge renovation, voluntary demolition/relocation, and community-environmental conservation activities such as coastal clean-up, mangrove planting, etc.

Quais foram/são os desafios que sua comunidade enfrentou na implementação desta solução?

The challenge being faced in the implementation of these solutions was the dialogue with the government for funds, with the informal settlers to relocate, and with the community to participate. However, I believe that it will not totally serve as a hindrance as long as there will be an open communication and that the law will prevail.

Action

Descreva o processo baseado na comunidade usado para desenvolver a solução, incluindo ferramentas e processos usados

The research I am currently doing entitled "A macrophyte-based assessment of ecological status, socio-economic potential and human vulnerabilities of Tagbunsaing Lake, Berong, Quezon, Palawan" is part of my graduate studies. I am still analyzing the data that I have gathered and writing the results. The study focused on how can the presence of macrophytes indicate water quality and soil nutrients, its existing and potential uses and as well as the hazards to human through interviews and focus group discussions.

Perigo climático preocupante

Coastal flooding or storm surge

Como sua solução reduz a exposição e amortece/protege o ecossistema afetado?

The replacement of road to bridge aims to return back the normal flow of water in and out of the lake, clean and remove the algae through the water movement, restore the diverse fishery resources within the lake, control the growth of macrophytes, etc. Demolition/relocation of informal settlers can reduce pollution that cause algal bloom and minimize hazards for human. Empowering the indigenous people will equip them with knowledge and skills that will make them more ready for managing their resources.

How has your solution increased the capacity of the ecosystem to adapt to potential climate changes?

By restoring the normal flow of water in and out of the lake, this ecosystem will have an increased capacity to serve as buffer against coastal flooding, storm surge, etc. Demolition/relocation of informal settlers can reduce pollution sources and reduce clearing of mangroves (Nypa and Lumnitzera) Empowering the indigenous people will prepare them to be better adapted to potential climate changes and disaster management

Como sua solução reduz a exposição e amortece/protege as comunidades afetadas?

These solutions reduce the exposure of both the indigenous groups and informal settlers to potential climate change impacts since it targets to move them away from the risks or hazards that it may cause them like a more ecosystem-friendly infrastructure, policies, and programs.

Como sua solução reduz a sensibilidade das comunidades afetadas?

These solutions reduce the sensitivity of the communities to climate change since they will have alternative livelihood sources, they will be moving away from potential risks/ hazards near the lake, and they will be more prepared through the increased awareness.

Como sua solução aumentou a capacidade das comunidades locais de se adaptarem a possíveis mudanças climáticas?

The solutions mentioned were also from the opinions of the local communities, especially of the Tagbanua tribes. They believe that with the renovation of their road to bridge, they will have more foodand livelihood sources even with changes in the climate. They also believe that they will be able to restore the lake if there will be no people living near the lake, and that all these will increase their capacity to be prepared for potential climate change impacts.

Scale

Esta solução pode ser replicada em outro lugar?

Yes, ecosystem restoration can also be done elsewhere with similar problems.

Overview
Solution
Scale
Rare
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