Modern technology to measure real-time forest ecosystem-level carbon flux officially commences in Mindanao
Last September 3, a pioneer project using eddy covariance system, a state-of-the-art technology that quantifies long-term and real-time forest ecosystem-level carbon fluxes (sequestration and emission), commenced through an inception meeting in Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
The “Real-time Carbon Flux Monitoring in Mangrove, Plantation, and Natural Forests in Mindanao, Philippines: Using Eddy Covariance Approach” or Phil-flux project is being implemented. It is a joint project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau – Forest and Wetland Research, Development and Extension Center (ERDB-FWRDEC) is implementing the project with funding support from the DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
Phil-flux aims to quantify the carbon sequestration and emission potentials of selected mangrove forest, plantation forest, and natural forest in Mindanao. This can serve as reference points in any carbon-related inventories and monitoring initiatives. In addition, carbon flux prediction models will also be developed, which can be applied in other forests with similar eco-physiological and climatic conditions.
The project will be implemented for three years in three project sites: the mangrove forest in Del Carmen, Siargao Island (encompassing 4,295 hectares hectares), the falcata plantation in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur (9,492 hectares), and Tinuy-an Falls Protected Landscape in Surigao del Sur/Agusan del Sur (4,321 hectares).
According to John Benrich M. Zuñiga, of the S&T Media Services, the inception meeting was conducted through a hybrid format with participants from the project implementation team and collaborators: ERDB-FWRDEC, ERDB main office, Caraga State University, North Carolina State University, the regional offices of DENR, and Protected Area Management Offices.
DOST-PCAARRD’s Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) spearheaded the meeting with support from the Institution Development Division (IDD), Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development (OED-RD), and PCAARRD Accounting Section.
The Phil-flux project is expected to provide basis and recommendations on the climate change mitigation potentials of Philippine forests and spur the development of adaptation and mitigation plans, rehabilitation and conservation programs, and relevant policy and legislative measures. This is a crucial contribution to help the Philippines achieve its targets on the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action. (PR)
