FMDS Student Papers
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Research outputs by graduate students of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies.
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ItemAssessment of Ecosystem Services and the Impacts of Land Use and Land Cover Change in a Masterplanned City: the Case of Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa( 2024)Land in the Philippines has been subject to scarcity and overexploitation for the past years due to two of the many societal trends – population growth and continuous land degradation. In order to contribute to livable, safe, and sustainable communities, green spaces are recognized as a key element to navigate a variety of physical activities for the general public. Filinvest City in Muntinlupa was assessed to study its spatio-temporal changes, its impacts on ecosystem services, and the strategies in support for nature-based solutions. Data analysis was conducted through (1) QGIS and remote sensing to examine LULC change and landscape metrics, (2) reports synthesis on eco-profiling for biodiversity conservation assessment, and (3) ecosystem services assessment through survey. The results generated from remote sensing show integral data on the decrease of open land and rise of built-up areas between 2009 to 2015. On the other hand, Filinvest City showed high value on biodiversity preservation through maintenance and protection of its fauna (59% are resident breeder non-endemic bird species) and flora (47% are trees species). There is also significant correlation on the importance of ecosystem services functions with urban parks, recreational spaces, and biodiversity conservation. To further evaluate Filinvest City apart from study on ecosystem services and its impacts, it is recommended to conduct a (1) more up-to-date rapid biodiversity assessment and (2) analysis on urban heat island effect caused by green infrastructures replacing the natural land cover.
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ItemIntegrating Local Ecological Knowledge Towards Community Based Mangrove Conservation Management in Pulo, Calatagan, Philippines( 2024-12)Mangrove ecosystems play vital roles in coastal protection and community livelihoods, yet face significant degradation worldwide. In the Philippines, where more than 50% of original mangrove cover has been lost since the 1900s, the integration of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) with scientific approaches presents a promising strategy for enhanced conservation. This study investigated the integration of LEK and community-based management approaches toward improved mangrove conservation in Pulo, Calatagan, Batangas, focusing on a 7.5-hectare fringing mangrove forest. Using mixed methods research, the study collected data through structured interviews with 20 key informants, surveys of 35 households across three management zones, and three focused group discussions. The findings revealed sophisticated traditional taxonomic knowledge, with species identification accuracy reaching 95% for dominant species and traditional indicators showing 89% accuracy in predicting seasonal changes. Spatial analysis demonstrated significant variation in management participation across zones (F(2,32)=15.3, p<0.001, η2=0.48), with engagement declining from 75% in near zones to 25% in far zones. Knowledge integration success rates reached 82% (β=0.82, SE=0.04, p<0.001), substantially exceeding regional benchmarks. The study recommends implementing zone-specific management protocols, establishing digital knowledge archives, and developing structured knowledge transfer programs to enhance conservation outcomes while preserving valuable traditional knowledge systems. These findings contribute to both theoretical understanding and practical guidelines for improving mangrove conservation through integrated knowledge approaches.
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ItemConservation of Pinulot-Caulaman River Watershed using GIS and RUSLE-based Soil Erosion Risk Assessment in Central Luzon, Philippines( 2025-03-07)Soil erosion is a serious environmental issue which can drastically impact watersheds like the case of Pinulot-Caulaman River Watershed (PCRW) in Central Luzon, Philippines. PCRW is a critical watershed for agricultural and domestic purposes covering Zambales Range and Mt. Natib to the west and lowland areas to the east. This study investigated the biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of PCRW to estimate the overall soil erosion risk and recommend conservation strategies appropriate for the watershed. The methodology involved data mining online and processing of secondary information through Geographic Information System (GIS). This was followed by applying Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to compute soil erosion and delineate risk zonation by analyzing the temporal and spatial changes in the watershed on three selected periods, i.e., 2014, 2017, and 2024. The PCRW is characteristically fragmented showing declining forest cover across complex topography with young and clay-rich soil types that received abundant rainfall, however, there were minimal conservation practices employed. Based on RUSLE, soil erosion with more than 300 tons ha-1 annually was considered very severe, particularly in steep and sparsely vegetated western areas of the watershed. In 2014, these severely eroded areas covered 20% of PCRW which increased to 28% with 11,696 hectares erosion coverage a decade after. Considering the status of the watershed, these critically erodible areas should be prioritized for restoration through the enhanced National Greening Program (NGP). Furthermore, moderate to very high erosion risk categories require conservation measures while intact forested slopes should be delineated as protected zones that will altogether form part of the watershed management plan. This study highlighted the applicability of GIS techniques and RUSLE model in providing data-driven and evidence-based decision-making tools for soil conservation. Furthermore, erosion results can be verified through ground validation to enhance the accuracy of the model in assessing the PCRW, together with future watershed assessment of erosion in other parts of the country.
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ItemClimate Change and Cultural Heritage: A Qualitative Study of the Paete Wood Carvers in the Philippines( 2024)The Paete woodcarving community, renowned for its cultural heritage, confronts climate change challenges that threaten their environment-dependent craft. This qualitative study focused into the knowledge, perceptions, experiences, and strategies of Paete’s carvers, aiming to comprehend how they navigate climate change’s impact on their cultural heritage. Findings reveal a diminishing wood supply, particularly the native tree Batikuling (Litsea leytensis Merr.), is exacerbated by climatic variations and deforestation from forest fires. The logging ban policy, implemented to protect forests and mitigate climate change has unintentionally affected woodcarvers due to stringent documentation required for the lawful felling of trees. Furthermore, environmental changes such as extreme weather conditions influenced by climate change also affect woodcarving process. As the wood becomes scarcer, escalating material costs have impacted the livelihoods and economic sustainability of these artisans. Reduced sales during the pandemic disrupted markets and lowered demand for woodcarvings. Despite adversity, the community demonstrates resilience through innovative adaptations and exploration of new mediums for carving. Notably, collaborative efforts between the community and local government such as Batikuling seed propagation, museum curation, educational partnerships, festival carving competitions, and integration of carving in vocational training reflect a shared commitment to sustain Paete’s rich cultural heritage in woodcarving and preserve this art form for future generations. As today’s artisans grapple with the reality that younger generations have a limited experience in woodcarving, ensuring continuity involves creating appealing opportunities and supportive environments. By uniting efforts and embracing innovative and sustainable practices, they can overcome these challenges and continue to flourish, ensuring that their rich cultural heritage remains vibrant for future generations.