Mt. Isarog Natural Park's [Philippines] threat reduction assessments

Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) located in Camarines Sur, Bicol [Philippines] is home to a number of important species in the region. Several endemic species of birds, mammals, and reptiles have been recorded in Mt. Isarog since 1961 and have been the basis for the conservation of its biodiversity. In 2000, only 30 percent of the forest resources remained. To protect the park from loss of biodiversity, NGO's [non governmental organizations] and the immediate resident stakeholders took an active role in the MINP biodiversity conservation management. Bradecina et al. (PSU-Camarines Sur) conducted two phases of threat reduction assessments (TRA), an approach that offers a low-cost, practice alternative to more cost-and-time intensive approaches to measure the success of biodiversity conservation initiatives. It is based on data collected through simple techniques, directly related to project interventions, and readily interpreted by project staff. Phase 1 involved 23 barangays [villages] in 6 municipalities and a city in April-May 2002. Phase 2, on the other hand, covered the same barangays in Phase 1, except Cawaynan, and was done in March 2004. The study ran from February 2002 to May 2004. Among the major threats to loss of biodiversity in the MINP were: 1) inorganic farming, 2) slash-and-burn farming, 3) timber poaching, 4) wildlife hunting, 5) monocropping, 6) gathering of nontimber/minor forest plants, 7) poison fishing, 8) elecTric fishing, 9) burning of agricultural wastes, and 10) improper waste disposal. All stakeholder institutions agreed that agri-based threats perpetrated outside the park were the biggest in terms of area and most intense, hence, need the greatest attention. For both phases/eight of the ten threats were found to be commonly perpetrated outside the park. Inside the park, 13 were identified in Phase 1 and 14 in Phase 2. Both phases tallied 7 agri-based threats. For non-agribased threats, 14 were identified in Phase 1 and 15 in Phase 2. These were indicative of where interventions must be focused and what interventions are best applicable. The conservation initiatives since 1998 have reduced the threats by more than two thirds. The MINP TRA index averaged 67.18 percent from the combined assessment phases indicative of the communities and stakeholders' awareness and action to protect MINP. Researchers of the study highly recommend that the findings be promptly diffused and adopted by LGUs, Protected Area Superintendent, Community-based organization, PAMB, NGGs, and other stakeholders as part of their MINP General Management Plan, Ecotourism Plan, Comprehensive Land Use Plans of LGUs, biodiversity monitoring system of research institutions and related biodiversity conservation of NGOs.