Tropical Rainforests of the Philippines

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.

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.

V. Likely future prospects for the ecosystem

1.     Growing population 

As human population in Philippine keeps growing, human impacts on tropical rainforest are very likely to worsen. Larger population also requires more space so forests will be cut down to make room for human beings. Growing population will cause tourism to boost, which will further affect rainforests in Philippine.
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>