State of the mangroves in Visayas [Philippines]

Mangroves in the Visayas regions [Philippines] provide many ecosystem goods and services. This main island group shares nearly a quarter (22.2%) of the country's total mangrove forest cover. Some 27 mangrove species can be also be found here, with a few municipalities even named for certain species to highlight their value to the community. However, despite the numerous benefits being provided by mangroves, both man-made and natural threats remain To address the threats and improve mangrove management and conservation, the following recommendations are proposed: 1 Science-based technologies in mangrove rehabilitation such as site-species matching should be applied. For future reforestation initiatives, suitability assessment and species-site matching must be undertaken to inform target setting, before the actual planting. 2 Continuous monitoring, maintenance, and protection for established plantations must be conducted to ensure higher survival rates. 3 There should be joint efforts to identify and rehabilitate degraded mangrove areas as well as AUU fishponds. 4 Land use plans should be improved and strictly implemented to prevent land-use conversion in mangrove areas. 5 It is important to continuously provide education on the significance of mangroves and the need for mangrove conservation efforts. Information, research, and best practices in mangrove conservation, protection and rehabilitation must be well documented and properly disseminated. 6 LGUs must be encouraged to adopt a mangrove and/or MPA through local ordinances to protect ecosystem connectivity and ensure larval dispersal. 7 Mangrove ecotourism as a BDFE must be encouraged and properly funded. 8. Established NGP plantations must be properly maintained and given adequate protection. 9 Initial component MPAs in the region must be legalized as NIPAS sites to provide further protection and management. 10.To further ensure the success of mangrove rehabilitation efforts, there should be a convergence of LGUs and other government agencies such as the DOST, DA-BFAR, NGOs, and other organizations that are technically capable of mangrove management and protection. Continuous feedback and monitoring and evaluation should be undertaken. To sustain management impacts, stakeholder collaboration and consultation should be strengthened from planning to implementation, as well as in documentation, and monitoring and evaluation. 11 Solid waste management should be strictly implemented, and biodiversity-friendly livelihoods should be encouraged. 12 To ensure active participation and involvement from coastal stakeholders, there should be continuous education on mangrove plantation establishment and management. Lessons learned and best practices from successful mangrove initiatives should also be disseminated and replicated where appropriate.