The Colors of Forest and Biodiversity in Mt. Makiling

by Sherri Maigne A. Meneses

    Ever wondered how scientists monitor the conditions of the mountains? In Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) in Laguna, researchers developed a tool called the Geographic Information System in order to examine these big pieces of land. GIS-based database (or geodatabase) is used to establish a management support system which will help implement programs to renew the forest and conserve its biodiversity.

Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve
    Mount Makiling is 65-km drive south of Manila. This dormant volcano is known for its scientific history. Mt. Makiling was almost totally deforested because of the continuous growth in population of the surrounding areas. It became a vast grassland. 
    According to Henrylito Tacio in his article entitled “Showing the way to save the remaining forests” (2005), an American forester named Dr. Hugh Curran Sr. began planting different kinds of trees in Mt. Makiling in the late 1800s. This marked the start of the mountain’s reforestation. Now it has an exceptional biodiversity wherein various species of plants and animals could be found. 
    Mountains play an important role in providing freshwater. Given this, Mt. Makiling is also an important watershed for the surrounding communities. Watershed is an area of land where water drains down to the lower areas such as streams and creeks.
    The University of the Philippines Los Baños takes care of the Makiling Forest Reserve found within the mountain. MFR, established in 1910, provides an outdoor laboratory for studies on science and silviculture—the agriculture of trees.

Geodatabase: From Grids to Granules
    GIS is patterned after the GAME model—GIS-based assessment, monitoring and evaluation—developed earlier. This model uses regular-shaped polygons to describe the watershed. In details, there are five levels to characterize and map an area of 11, 000 ha in terms of land use. Each level comes in different measures: 100-ha grids, 25-ha quadrants, 1-ha cells, 0.4-ha squares, and 0.01-ha granules.
    A satellite image—dated May 2002—obtained using Landsat satellite was analyzed. The image analysis was used to generate the land cover and land use data. Combination of different softwares such as ENVI remote sensing software, ESRI Image Analysis, and ESRI Arcview 3. 1 was used in the study.
    In much simpler terms, it is like taking a top-view picture of the location under study. Then the picture is divided using equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines forming a grid. Each of the boxes, called quadrants, is then divided into smaller units called cells. Each cell would be divided into smaller sized boxes that are called squares. Each of the squares is then divided into its smallest unit called granules.  After these divisions, the colors corresponding to each GAME unit are analyzed to know how the land is used.
    The data gathered in this process, along with a ground survey data for biodiversity evaluation, were integrated into the geodatabase. 

Agroforestry
    Based on the information given in the geodatabase for MFR, almost 60% of the land is a forest cover although there are evident intrusions at the northern and western portions.
    The south-eastern portion of the Reserve is mostly under agroforestry wherein a combination of forest and brushland are identified. Agroforestry, according to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), “is a land-use management system that combines the production of trees with agricultural crops, animals and/or other resources in the same area. It aims to increase or sustain productivity while maintaining ecological stability. It also hopes to increase income for improved quality of life.” 
    The results would then help complete the management decision support system for the MFR. The managers and decision makers for the Reserve now could identify the areas that are in need of attention. Thus, protecting and reviving the mountain for the succeeding generations.



Reference:
Bantayan, N., Abraham, E.,& Fernando, F. (2008). Geodatabase Development for Forest 
Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation in the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines. The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 91(4), 365-371.

This article was a requirement in DEVC 122 Science Reporting - Popularized Journal Article (1st sem 09-10).

Small Job? Say Big Time!

by Sherri Maigne A. Meneses

    On September 17, 2009, Malacañang honored individuals who had extraordinary contributions to the nation with their ideas and performances. One of these outstanding civil servants is Maximo D. Tandang an Administrative Aide III from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He was awarded with the Civil Servants Commission 2009 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for his resourcefulness and exemplary dedication to his work.

    Max—son of Luciano Tandang and Cristeta Duldulao—was born on November 18, 1961 in Los Baños, Laguna. He has been living in barangay Bayog, Los Baños since his birth. He studied his elementary in Bayog Elementay School and graduated from secondary education in Los Baños College of Fisheries in 1980. Although he really wanted to go to college, his family was not able to provide for such due to financial reasons. 
    Max got married to Rosa who gave him three kids, namely Maria Lyn 25, Mark Louie 24, and Marlon 22. As a father, he described himself as the man who leads his children to have faith in God. His family motivates him to work hard. He said that he is doing everything to satisfy the needs of his family. He handles his family with love and always tries to guide them to the right path.
    In 1981, Max worked as a laborer under Dr. Macrina T. Zafaralla, a professor in the Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He assisted Dr. Zafaralla in her studies of the different lakes such as Taal Lake. He said that his love for his work was a reason which made him last for 20 years in the said job.
    Besides his job as an assistant, Max also worked as a tricycle driver before and after he finished his duties in the office in order to make extra income. He also used his talent in drawing to earn extra. As a side line, he produced some of Dr. Zafaralla’s study illustrations and slides. According to him, if he was not in this field of work today, he would have been an artist. If he had the chance, he would have pursued on a course where he would be able to display his talent in drawing as an artist.
    When Dr. Zafaralla’s project ended, the Institute of Biological Sciences was hiring for workers. It was in 2001 when Max became a Laboratory Aide II in the institute. Equipped with his 20 years of experience, he was able to perform his duty well.
    Because of his dedication to his job, Max received the 2006 Outstanding Blue Collar Personnel. His generosity in sharing his knowledge and innovations helped in enhancing the university’s instruction, research, and extension functions. His resourcefulness in producing low-cost alternatives and improvised laboratory equipments helped in saving money for the university. He is a versatile and a dependable employee which earned him that year’s award.
    Tito Max—as called by his colleagues—is a helpful person. This was proven when a colleague’s sibling was in need of a blood donor. Having a rare blood type of AB+, he willingly donated 400 ml of his blood to the one in need. Responsible, reliable and resourceful—that is Max to his colleagues. 
    When asked of what he referred as his key to success, he simply answered, “pagsisikap” [perseverance]. He believes that this characteristic would sum up the other qualities such as honesty and dedication that one needs to attain success. Tito Max wants to be remembered through the things that he contributed. Maybe that is why he always put great effort in what he does.
    Maximo Tandang—responsible, reliable, humble, and resourceful—may have a small name but never a small heart.


This article was a requirement for DEVC 122 Science Reporting - Personality Sketch (1st sem 09-10).