Local communities’ knowledge, attitude and perception toward cebu black shama (copsychus cebuensis steere) and its habitat characteristics: Implications for conservation in Cebu Island, Philippines

Issue Date

12-2016

Abstract

A knowledge, attitude & perception (KAP) survey was conducted in four important bird areas (IBAs) in Cebu island, Philippines towards the protection and conservation of the Cebu black shama (Copsychus cebuensis) and its habitat. Similarly, the habitat quality of the black shama in the island was also assessed in terms of vegetation composition and diversity. A total of 193 households were interviewed from July 2013 to December 2013. Most of the respondents only finished elementary and high school levels. However, their mean knowledge score was above 6.50 while their attitude mean score was above 9.40. Their perception scores, on the other hand, were highly positive. Regardless of their educational attainment, people living near the identified black shama territories were highly knowledgeable, aware and positive towards the protection and conservation of the endangered bird and its habitat. Forty-five black shama territories were sampled employing 20 m × 20 m quadrats from September 2013 - February 2014. Results indicate that black shama habitat is characterized with high plant species diversity (H’>3.50), even plant distribution (e >l0.75), and low dominance index (D >0.01). In terms of vegetation composition, the black shama habitats were not similar. Integrating the social and ecological knowledge to conservation will likely promote a wider perspective of effective conservation program implementation than social or ecological knowledge alone.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Environmental Science and Management

ISSN

0119-1144

Volume

19

Issue

2

Page

76-83

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

maps, tables, graphs

Language

English

Subject

Biodiversity conservation, Cebu black shama, Copsychus cebuensis, Habitat quality, Important bird areas

Digital Copy

yes

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