Species-site match mapping for ITPS [industrial tree plantation species] development in selected municipalities of Agusan del Sur, Caraga Region [Philippines]

A project making use of research results was conducted in species-site matching by actual survey and mapping of site attributes in selected municipalities of Agusan del Sur. Using GIS [geographic information system] as a tool, information derived from secondary and actual site surveys of two municipalities in Agusan del Sur (Bunawan and Rosario) were gathered. Data on site requirements of ITPS [industrial tree plantation species] as well as common reforestation species were also gathered and stored. Relevant maps were converted into digital format (ArcView and MapInfo) as reference and baseline of the target areas for survey and validation. Data input, cleaning, and species-site attributes were undertaken. A decision matrix model was designed using thematic maps (soil, elevation, rainfall, and temperature) of the target study area. These themes were based on the site requirement attributes from the PCARRD publication, "Philippine Recommends for Fast Growing Hardwoods". Findings showed that using the simple overlay analysis of the ArcView GIS, thematic maps were integrated and analyzed. The result was a single electronic file entitled "Species-site Match Map", which contains attributes from the thematic maps. A logical field was added to determine the species suitable for specific site. In terms of soil variability, results of actual field survey and analysis conducted showed no significant difference compared with the available soil map prepared by the BSWM [Bureau of Soils and Water Management]. Species-site maps developed for the two municipalities were useful and to some extent, accurate as validated by the growth and yield data gathered from plantations in the target area. Final output of the project was packaged into a customized version for laymen, especially tree farmers. As an offshoot of the project, a follow-up research was planned to make a species-site map of the whole region