Page 83 - Area 9 - Relevant Document

FBS 121 Morphology, Taxonomy and Dendrology

INTRODUCTION

The importance of identifying plants is paramount concern in conserving vascular trees as
identified in this manual in term of economic, social and cultural benefit for the future generation.
Ifugao province which indigenous people live have depended for long periods of time, on local
environments for the provision of a variety of resources, they have developed a stake in conserving,
and in some cases enhancing biodiversity. They are aware that biological diversity is a crucial
factor in generating the ecological services and natural resources on which they depend.
According to the study conducted by Taguiling et al (2010) survey of macroflora in one
barangay each of the municipalities of Kiangan, Mayoyao and A. Lista, Ifugao revealed 53
families, 110 genera and 191 species. Inventory of trees and shrubs showed high species richness
(89 species) and high density (734-1,535 individuals). Species importance values include
Lithocarpus ovalis, Dysoxylum arborescens, Laportea sp. and Canarium asperum.The survey on
sociocultural species revealed 26 species that are used in farming, religious rites, fishing, hunting,
birth and wake/burial ceremonies and social status. Symbol. Ethnobotany survey of the
communities revealed 36 food plants, 30 species of medicinal/pesticidal plants, and 119 tree
species used for housing construction, furniture and handicraft, firewood, charcoal, fence and
source of fiber for tying.

Some indigenous groups manipulate the local landscape to augment its heterogeneity, some
have been found to be motivated to restore biodiversity in degraded landscapes identified further
that their practices for the conservation of biodiversity were grounded in a series of rules of thumb
which are apparently arrived at through a trial and error process over a long historical time period
(Gadgil et al, 1993). This implies that their knowledge base is indefinite and their implementation
involves an intimate relationship with the belief system. It is vital, however, that the value of the
knowledge-practice-belief complex of indigenous peoples relating to conservation of biodiversity
is fully recognized if ecosystems and biodiversity are to be managed sustainably. Conserving this
knowledge would be most appropriately accomplished through promoting the community-based
resource-management systems of indigenous peoples.
It’s long been established that sustainable development anchored on the conservation of
biodiversity. The Rice Terraces is one of the highest presence in term of biological diversity it
contains about 264 indigenous plant species, mostly endemic to the region. The terraces form
unique clusters of micro watersheds and are part of the whole mountain ecology (FAO, 2008).

Ifugao as one of the growing economic hub in Cordillera has been known for its
“pinugo/muyong” meaning a mini forest where each household has to maintain as a source of
lumber, firewood and fruits. It could be a biodiversity conservation measure hence it boils down
to soil and water conservation, species diversification, and an agri-livelihood. Taguiling et al.,
(2010).

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