Ruben F. Amparado, Jr.

Mangroves are essential carbon reserves, and their role in carbon sequestration is remarkable. However, anthropogenic pressures such as aquaculture development threatened this highly susceptible ecosystem. Thus, the need to rehabilitate abandoned aquaculture ponds is a must to offset the ecological losses over the economic gains derived from these mangrove land-use changes. Thus, we chose a reforestation site of a once heavily utilized fishpond devastated by a tsunami in the late 1970s in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. We then established a similar study plot in a nearby natural mangrove forest as a point of reference. We determined the heterogeneity in vegetation and estimated the aboveground and soil carbon storage capacities. We also examined the distinct changes in species composition and zonation from the seaward towards the landward zones. About 30 years after the abandoned fishpond rehabilitation, we found the tree density of the Rhizopora mucronata Lamk. and Avicenia marina...

Abstract. Flooding has been a problem worldwide that contributes negative impacts to environment and lives of many individuals. Flooding in Cagayan de Oro City is one of the major environmental dilemmas affecting properties and lives of local communities especially in areas along Bitan-ag Creek. The purpose of this study was to know the households' coping strategies in dealing with different stages of flood. This objective was attained through conduct of survey, analysis and identification of coping mechanisms. This study was conducted in Cagayan de Oro City at communities nearby Bitan-ag Creek. An inventory of households coping mechanisms can be used by the Local Government Unit in defining the policies for recommendations on flood management. Results showed that the households' behavior towards flood was influenced by the following factors: flood depth, flood duration and economic capacity of the household to cope with its impacts. The viable coping mechanisms employed b...

This study explores the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) in seed germination and growth of seedlings of Paraserianthes falcataria. Seed priming was done by soaking the seeds in hot water for 1 minute and in different dilutions of the MLE extracts in distilled water (MLE 1:10, MLE 1:20, MLE 1:30, MLE 1:40, MLE 1:50) for 24 hours. In the application of foliar fertilizer, MLE was prepared by dilutions with distilled water (MLE 1:1, MLE 1:3, MLE 1:5) applied to a 3-day old P. falcataria germinants and evaluated after 45 days. The experimental set up was laid-out in a complete randomized design with 30 experimental samples replicated 3 times. In the seed germination test, hot water treatment and seed priming treatment with dilutions of MLE 1:40 and ANAA (commercial growth hormone) were more effective methods to improve final germination percentage (FGP) to synchronize early germination. All seed priming treatments (MLE 1:10, MLE 1:20, MLE 1:30, MLE 1:40, MLE 1:50 and ANAA...

Electronic device purchases in the Philippines are increasing due to the thriving economic situation in the country. People are buying more electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) because these are made affordable and upgraded in a fast pace. Maximum utilization of EEE leads to the increasing number of e-wastes which contain hazardous materials that may occupy huge space in the landfills. Yet, there is no such specific law on e-waste available in our country today. This study was conducted in Cagayan de Oro which is considered as one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines. The objective of this paper was to determine the amount of e-wastes generated and the management practices by the households. Only households that were willing to be interviewed and participated were considered for the study. The information on knowledge level, attitude, practice on use, EEE disposal and the quantity of e-waste generated were collected using a survey questionnaire. To guarantee the hi...

Flooding has been a problem worldwide that contributes negative impacts to environment and lives of many individuals. Flooding in Cagayan de Oro City is one of the major environmental dilemmas affecting properties and lives of local communities especially in areas along Bitan-ag Creek. The purpose of this study was to know the households' coping strategies in dealing with different stages of flood. This objective was attained through conduct of survey, analysis and identification of coping mechanisms. This study was conducted in Cagayan de Oro City at communities nearby Bitan-ag Creek. An inventory of households coping mechanisms can be used by the Local Government Unit in defining the policies for recommendations on flood management. Results showed that the households' behavior towards flood was influenced by the following factors: flood depth, flood duration and economic capacity of the household to cope with its impacts. The viable coping mechanisms employed by the househ...

The water quality in the riverine systems (Mandulog and Iligan) of Iligan City decreases as it approaches the downstream. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to determine which physico-chemical parameters would influence the assemblage of macroinvertebrates. Results revealed that Total Suspended Solids (TSS) affect the groups Plecoptera, Tricoptera, Diptera and Simuliidae while nitrate affects Plecoptera and Gomphidae. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to determine which physico-chemical parameters describe the sampling sites. Out of the ten physico-chemical parameters that were determined, only the pH, silicate and nitrate showed significant correlation that describe the sampling sites. These results indicated that the sampling sites within the two rivers show similar chemical attributes.

Riparian forests are forests which occur adjacent to streams, lakes and other surface waters. Through the interaction of their soils, hydrology, and biotic communities, riparian forests protect and improve water quality, provide habitat for plants and animals, support aquatic communities, and provide many benefits to humans (Klapproth & Johnson 2009). A total of 32 species of plants belonging to 15 families were listed and identified along the riparian areas of Mandulog and Iligan City rivers.

Biochar is a carbon rich solid residue produced when biomass is heated with little or no available oxygen at relatively low temperature. Its use in agriculture as soil amendment had been found to enhance soil quality and increase crop productivity. Acidic soil amended with biochar produced from waste basal portions of bamboo was tested by growing mung bean in a randomized complete block design experiment. Results showed that plants grown in soil amended with 8.5 and 15.75%w biochar started flowering, pod filling and maturing 6 to 7 days earlier than those grown in un-amended soil. After 60 days, plants in the biochar amended soil were significantly taller by about 27% and their pod production was 102% higher than those without biochar. Addition of vermicast to biochar-amended soils did not significantly enhance the flowering and pod filling stages of mungbean and likewise did not significantly increase pod production rate. Root nodules of plants grown in soils without biochar formed...