Impact of coconut-based upland farming system on the coastal ecosystem of the island municipality of Capul, Northern Samar [Philippines]
2010
Cabili, T. M., University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar (Philippines) | Cuevas, V. C, Philippines Univ. Los Baños, College, Laguna (Philippines). Inst. of Biological Sciences
The coconut-based upland farming system of Capul, a small island municipality of Northern Samar was analyzed. The existing farming system in the area is combined with fishing, and these two activities serve as the main sources of livelihood of the Abaknons (the islanders of Capul). The paper examined the interrelationships of the island's present farming system of Abaknons and the coastal ecosystem productivity. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analyses, the impacts of upland farming on the coastal ecosystem were assessed employing indicators such as sediment load, run-off water quality, seagrass net primary productivity and fish productivity. Population increase in the island after World War II led to the complete loss of its forest cover with consequent loss of biodiversity. The forest was replaced with coconut-based subsistence farming system. The present condition of the coastal ecosystem of the island is still good as shown by the increased seagrass subsystem net primary productivity, clear visibility of coastal water at a depth of 4-6 m at high tide during the rainy season, presence of Cymodocea seagrass species - an indicator of low sediment deposition, good fish productivity, and high fish diversity at the seagrass subsystem. All these evidences show that the present farming system has minimal negative impact on the coastal ecosystem. However, the coastal water has high coliform contamination from unhygienic and unsanitary practices of the coastal residents.
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