ELTI’s permanent training site in the Philippines is located on the island of Leyte and is being developed in cooperation with the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management of Visayas State University (VSU). ELTI has been working with VSU since 2008 to promote the dissemination of knowledge and skills on native species reforestation (locally known as “Rainforestation”). The permanent training site takes advantage of a series of demonstration sites that were developed in the 1990s, when VSU pioneered native species reforestation in the Philippines as part of a GIZ-supported project.
Thirty-eight such demonstration sites were developed in cooperation with local community groups and private landowners, showing a number of different forest rehabilitation strategies, including those focused on biodiversity, timber production, agroforestry, and landslide risk abatement. These sites were established in a broader landscape matrix that consists largely of coconut monocultures, small-scale agriculture, and degraded uplands. ELTI is also working with VSU and other partners on the development of a Community-based Forest Ecology for Restoration Trail and a 50-ha Long-term Ecological Research plot in Silago, Southern Leyte, which constitutes one of the remaining primary forest areas on the island. Please contact Hazel Consunji to learn more.
Project 1
Summary: Biodiversity survey in reforestation demonstration sites
Methods: 1. Bird survey, 2. Bat survey, 3. Mammal survey (using camera traps but traps are not currently available), 4. Insect survey, 5. Amphibian and reptile survey
Location: Baybay, Leyte and neighboring towns
Special Skill Sets: Knowledge of different biodiversity surveys, field experience preferred
Project 2
Summary: Quantify damage and recovery in reforestation demonstration sites after Super typhoon Haiyan
Methods: 1. Survey tree mortality (species specific) resulting from typhoon damage, 2. Quantify other types of damage such as branch damage, stem damage or canopy damage (species specific), 3. Survey recovery patterns (species specific), 4. Survey recruitment patterns (i.e., internal vs. external recruitment, recruitment of pioneer and late-successional species)
Location: Baybay, Leyte and neighboring towns
Special Skill Sets: Background in forestry; field experience preferred
Project 3
Summary: Comparative study of forest structure and composition and soil conditions in degraded, secondary forest and primary forest area plots
Methods: 1. Tree survey, 2. Understory survey, 3. Establishment of soil pits/profiles, 4. Soil physical and chemical analysis
Location: Silago, Southern Leyte
Special Skill Sets: Background in forestry and soil studies; Knowledge in Philippine flora or experience in specimen collection and preparation preferred
Project 4
Summary: Comparative study of biodiversity in degraded, secondary forest and primary forest area plots
Methods: 1. Bird survey, 2. Bat survey, 3. Mammal survey (using camera traps but traps are not currently available), 4. Insect survey, 5. Amphibian and reptile survey
Location: Silago, Southern Leyte
Special Skill Sets: Knowledge of different biodiversity surveys, field experience preferred
Project 5
Summary: Increasing income streams of reforestation farms through better silvicultural management practices and Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs)
Methods: 1. Survey of reforestation farms to determine biophysical conditions and current silvicultural practices, 2. Recommend alternative silvicultural management practices and potential NTFPs based on site conditions and existing market, 3. Come up with cost-benefit analysis or Livelihood Systems Analysis
Location: Baybay, Leyte and neighboring towns
Special Skill Sets: Background in forestry, NTFPs, economics and socio-economic analysis; Visayan language skills preferred
Project 6
Summary: Riparian ecosystem assessment
Methods: 1. Biodiversity assessment, particularly of indicator species for riparian ecosystem health, 2. Seasonal stream flow measurement, 3. Water quality assessment
Location: Silago, Southern Leyte
Special Skill Sets: Knowledge of different biodiversity surveys particularly in riparian ecosystems, Knowledge in water quantity and quality assessment - field experience preferred
Project 7
Summary: Comparative soil and soil microfauna assessment in exotic tree plantation, native tree reforestation site, secondary forest and primary forest areas
Methods: 1. Soil physical and chemical analysis, 2. Soil microfauna analysis
Location: Baybay, Leyte and Silago, Southern Leyte
Special Skill Sets: Knowledge in soil studies and soil microfauna assessment