Assessment of the biodiversity, carbon stocks and food security of different land use systems in Calaca, Batangas using the fallow model

Date

4-2008

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Ecology Genetics

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Damasa M. Macandog

Abstract

The Forest, Agroforest, Low value or Wasteland? (FALLOW) model was used to simulate for 50 years, the consequences on plant biodiversity, carbon stocks, and food security of the current land use systems in Calaca, Batangas. Geographic information system was utilized to create a digital elevation model of the area and incorporate it with the FALLOW model. All the parameters of the model were filled by primary and secondary data from farmer interviews and literature files of the Calaca Municipal Agricultural Office, respectively. Four scenarios were prepared—the (1) original land use, (2) Sugarcane plantations dominant, (3) Mahogany forests dominant, and (4) coconut-based agroforests dominant. These four scenarios were run under different farmer learning styles to take into account the basis of farmers' decision in changing their current land use systems. The model simulated that there would be an increase in plant biodiversity in the area. in the span of 50 years. There would also be an early increase, then a gradual decline of carbon stocks in the area. The model predicted that there would be food insufficiency in the area in 50 years time. This is because the yield of the two currently most dominant land use systems in the area, rice and corn agricultural land and sugarcane plantations would have decreasing yields in 50 years, while there would be increasing financial capital of establishing farms and decreasing income for each farming household. The simulation of the consequences of current land use systems is very essential in preventing problems in land management and promoting sustainable cultivation of land resources.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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