Community-based forest management for resilience through agroforestry

The study generally aimed to assess the agroforestry systems of Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) sites to formulate policy recommendations for the implementation of agroforestry practices in the study areas and other agroforestry sites. The practices of agroforestry, where woody perennials are deliberately used on the same land management unit as agricultural crops and/or animals, were characterized based on structure. The structural basis for classification refers to the composition and temporal arrangement of the different components such as annual crops, pasture/animals and trees/shrubs. The socio-economic and demographic characteristics of farmers were obtained using survey sampling from 122 households. Quadrant method was employed in acquiring agrobiodiversity. The method determined species diversity by counting the number of tree species and number of individuals under each species in quadrants for each farm. The soil properties and erodibility were determined through soil sampling, using modified erosion bar, and direct on-site measurements and laboratory analysis, respectively. Results revealed that farmers practiced shelterbelts/windbreaks-cum live trellis system in Liliw [Laguna, Philippines] and multilayer tree gardens in Sta. Maria [Laguna, Philippines]. The agrobiodivesity of agroforestry systems in both sites were moderately diverse from CBFM members while low diverse for non-CBFM members. Agrobiodiversity indices of agroforestry systems for CBFM members and non-CBFM in Liliw are 2.58 and 1.98, respectively while CBFM members and non-CBFM members in Sta. Maria are 2.72 and 0.78, respectively. Farms in both sites had low soil bulk density and erosion rates with high organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium contents. Regardless of the kind of agroforestry system practiced in the CBFM sites, it has been observed that agroforestry is indeed beneficial for both study sites.