Socio-economic factors affecting the crop biodiversity of farms in the lowland forest of Subic Bay freeport Zone

Date

1998

Abstract

The study focused on the Aetas living in the lowland forest of Subic and was conducted to analyze the socio- economic factors affecting the crop diversity of their farms, assess such farm crop diversity, and describe their farm management practices using different methods of diversity assessment. To determine crop biodiversity, it employed index of qualitative variation (IQV), Number of plant species (S), and biodiversity checklist. The study findings confirm that the Aeta farmers have been practicing the multiple cropping system and prefer to plant more crops because such system would make the crops not susceptible to pest and diseases, it would entail less costs and it would make the farm easy to manage. Aetas were able to adopt and learn ways to manage and operate their farm according to their schedules and their needs. Such farming activities were nevertheless found not to replace but to supplement the hunting and gathering activities of the Aetas. The Aetas consider their farms as ancestral domain and they do not have size limit for such farm. However, since they are mostly engaged in other activities like working as hired labor or involved in ecotourism activities for Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, their farm size only range from 0.5 to 1.50 hectares. The crop they grow in their farms are sweet potatoes, cassava, corn and gabi, and fruit trees like mango, guava, guyabano, banana, papaya and cashew. The Aeta farmer generally starts planting at the onset of the rainy season which is usually in May.

18 In terms of crop diversity, all the three measures of diversity showed that Aeta's farms are high in biodiversity, with an average computed IQV of 88 percent and an average S of 11 species. The multi-cropping system and farm management practices thus observed were found to fit the Aeta's daily activities, needs, and farm setting.For the regression model, the log-linear model was found to have the best fit with an R2 of 81 percent for the IQV model and an R2 of 75percent for the S model. The significant explanatory variables commons to both models and have an inverse relationship are involvement to other activities like ecotourism and hired labor and access to credit. Another is household size which has a direct relationship to the level of biodiversity. Other significant explanatory variables for the IQV model which have a direct relationship are capability of the farm, and household income. For the S model, both the tenurial security and age have a negative relationship. The results from the IQV model and S model are not relatively different from each other.The study suggests that the thrust of the government which shows more inclination towards intensified mono-cropping system, must be aware of such consequences. Although there have been promotions in organic farming and integrated pest management, it is also necessary to encourage multi-cropping and to emphasize its benefits to biodiversity conservation. The study shows that a traditional agricultural system such as the Aeta's multiple cropping can be potential path towards biodiversity conservation. The interactions and dynamics of the determinants of crop biodiversity will provide a better measure for such farm management cum biodiversity conservation strategy.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 1998 E8 B47

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