Tropical Rainforest of the Philippines
I. The Map of the Philippines
II. What does this ecosystem look like?
III. Historical state of the ecosystem
It is believed that some 18,000
years ago, The Philippines were connected to the mainland of Asia. Four large
main islands were connected to the surrounding smaller islands because of
shallow water depths. The current state of the Philippines is due to relatively
high sea levels which may cause periodic shifts of the continents or islands.
The scattering of continents that occurred due to sea levels as well as
volcanic activity and tectonic shifting has led to isolated ecosystems.
Percentages of forests in the past were significantly higher than they are now.
Centuries of colonial rule,
commercial logging, corruption and misguided policies issued by the government
brought our forests to the brink of total destruction.
Philippine forests covered at least
90% of the country’s total land area during the pre-colonial period. The
natives’ cultural and religious traditions kept the forests in their pristine
state even if they were used to supply food and building materials.
During the Spanish colonization, trees were felled to build roads, bridges, docks and ships for the galleon trade. Forests were replaced by sprawling haciendas owned by Spanish friars, officials and rich families.
During the Spanish colonization, trees were felled to build roads, bridges, docks and ships for the galleon trade. Forests were replaced by sprawling haciendas owned by Spanish friars, officials and rich families.
Large scale, export oriented
commercial logging was introduced by the American colonizers. At the start of
the American occupation in the 1900s, the Philippines had 21 million ha of old
growth forests covering 70% of its land area.
Logs were exported mainly to the United States and used to support the
mining industry set up by the Americans. By 1940s, only 9 million ha of forest
covering 30% of the Philippine’s total land area was left.
Deforestation further worsened
during the Marcos dictatorship .The logging industry was monopolized by foreign
companies and the local elite, some even holding public offices. From 1965-1986, the Philippines lost 7 million ha of forests.
IV. Current human impact on the ecosystem
The Philippines are raided heavily by people who need the land for agriculture. Farmers engage in commercial logging as well as the cutting down of trees in order to use the land to their benefit. For the most part, this activity leaves locals with minimal resources that make it hard for things such as employment and housing. For example, Japanese companies use the hills and mountainsides as a source for mahogany and Narra trees. The many islands, particularly a resort at El Nido, are major vacation spots and attracts tourists from all around the world. Tourism can put pressure on the ecosystem when resources are already scarce and the country has a hard time coping with this use within the acceptable limits of change.
Forests have become increasingly threatened due to humans. At one point in history, 14% of The Philippines were forests, where as now that number is down to 6%. Industrial and developing countries are the main reason for this significant change. Tropical Rain Forests of the Philippines is one of the most endangered forests on the planet due to the practice of slash and burn agriculture in areas that cannot support it, particularly those areas that receive a lot of rainfall. A particular island, Palawan, has been most affected by subsistence agriculture and the need for raw materials. Many humans rely on Palawan for oil and timber. The islands are prime spots for agriculture because of their fertile and livable soil.
Forests have become increasingly threatened due to humans. At one point in history, 14% of The Philippines were forests, where as now that number is down to 6%. Industrial and developing countries are the main reason for this significant change. Tropical Rain Forests of the Philippines is one of the most endangered forests on the planet due to the practice of slash and burn agriculture in areas that cannot support it, particularly those areas that receive a lot of rainfall. A particular island, Palawan, has been most affected by subsistence agriculture and the need for raw materials. Many humans rely on Palawan for oil and timber. The islands are prime spots for agriculture because of their fertile and livable soil.
V. Likely future prospects for the ecosystem
1. Growing population
2. Illegal logging Palm oil production
Strict penalties and extensive protections are needed to stop illegal logging since illegal logging is one of the biggest contributors of forest cover loss. Local people still use slash-and-burn to make land available for farming. So to protect rainforests, residents need to find better ways to farm.
2. Illegal logging Palm oil production
Strict penalties and extensive protections are needed to stop illegal logging since illegal logging is one of the biggest contributors of forest cover loss. Local people still use slash-and-burn to make land available for farming. So to protect rainforests, residents need to find better ways to farm.
3. Palm oil production
Recently, Philippine is proposing to convert 20 million acres of ‘idle, denuded and unproductive lands’ for oil palm plantation. Palm oil production represents one of the most profitable forms of agricultural land use in the tropics, but it has been linked to large-scale environmental damage where natural forests have been converted for plantations. Therefore, palm oil production is very likely to post a huge threat to tropical rainforest in Philippine.
4. Raising awareness
As human beings become more and more aware of the condition of tropical rainforest, they come up with many measures to protect rainforests. More protestors stand up and voice their concerns. As a result, tropical rainforest can be maintained efficiently.
VI. What can be done to improve human impact?
To protect tropical rainforest and
improve the current condition, short-term strategy and long-term strategy must
be combined to achieve the ultimate goal. For short term, Philippine government
should establish more serious penalty towards illegal logging and forest
damaging. A more effective protection system should be created to prevent
people from destroying forests. Also, government should figure out a more
eco-friendly way to produce palm oil. In long-term, people should have more
knowledge about why tropical rainforests are important, how can they benefit
human and what bad consequences will come if those forests are destroyed.
Government or protectors should focus on educating the public and thus raise
the awareness of forest protection.
VII. Table with data
1. Tend of Tropical Rainforest cover in the Philippines 1400 -1990
Graph from: "Where Are the Trees? Examining the State of the Philippine Forests." KALIKASAN.
2. Table of Forest areas and change in Philippines 1990-2005
Data from: Rhett A Butler. "Tropical Rainforest Conservation." Mongabay.com
3. Table of recorded Causes of Deforestation (in ha)
Data from: "Where Are the Trees? Examining the State of the Philippine Forests." KALIKASAN
VIII. References
1. "FUNDED: Saving Palawan's Endemic Wildlife, Philippines - Rainforest Trust." Rainforest Trust. Rainforest Trust, 2013. Web. 07 Dec. 2014. <https://www.rainforesttrust.org/projects/complete-projects/palawan-island-philippines/>
2. "Where Are the Trees? Examining the State of the Philippine Forests." KALIKASAN. KALIKASAN People's Network for the Environment, 2011. Web. 07 Dec. 2014. <http://www.kalikasan.net/features/2011/06/05/where-are-trees-examining-state-philippine-forests>
3. Butler, Rhett A. "Tropical Rainforest Conservation." Mongabay.com. San Francisco., 1999. Web. 07 Dec. 2014. <http://rainforests.mongabay.com/20philippines.htm>
4. Callahan, Christopher. "Rainforest Deforestation." Rainforest Deforestation. Johnson State College, 08 May 2001. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://kanat.jsc.vsc.edu/student/callahan/mainpage.htm>
5. Gier, Jean. "The Forgotten Rainforest - The Phillipines." The Forgotten Rainforest. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.icogitate.com/~tree/philippine.rainforest.htm>
