Mangroves are a salt-tolerant plant that occurs within the coastal belt. They are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. It is known for its numerous ecosystem services critical to environmental health and human well-being. Mangroves have great potential to lessen the adverse effects of climate change and mitigate the harm natural coastal hazards cause to property and human lives. Furthermore, mangroves have an even greater capacity than tropical forests to absorb and sequester greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Due to overexploitation, mangroves in the country have decreased rapidly despite the ecosystem services offered. Human exploitation and conversion of natural ecosystems,...
Community-led mangrove and migratory bird conservation project updates
Hey there! Let’s continue our journey on setting up a Community-led Mangrove and Migratory Bird Conservation program. This time we head out to our chosen project site in Bais City in Negros Oriental. We went there to conduct an ocular inspection on the bird occurrences in the area and study their activities and behavior. But before we proceed, here’s a quick recap of what we have done so far. Last time, Mark, our Field Officer for this project, took us to Olango Island in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu on an immersion tour. With the purpose of getting a deeper understanding of...
Project Update: Prioritizing Conservation Efforts in Busuanga, Palawan
On 29-30 January 2024, the Embassy of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) paid a monitoring visit for the pilot project initiated by Oceanus Conservation – Prioritizing Conservation Efforts: Mapping Biodiversity Hotspots in Marine Ecosystems in Busuanga Island, Palawan. The two-day event consisted of a presentation of the survey results to the local government officials, especially to the Municipal Mayor Beth Cervantes, and to selected partner communities. The presentation emphasized on finding endangered and threatened species, and the current status of marine resources such as mangroves, seagrass, corals, and reef fish. This event was also an opportunity...
We were featured in Grid Magazine!
Just in time for Wetlands Day this February 2, 2024, Grid Magazine featured Oceanus Conservation and our continuous efforts to showcase the beauty of mangrove ecosystems across the Philippines! Blue carbon restoration also encompasses other coastal wetlands that store carbon such as seagrasses and tidal marshes. Despite the importance of mangroves in the Philippines and their vital functions, mangroves are at alarming risk of deforestation, urbanization, tourism, and various human interventions. Studies indicate a staggering loss of at least 35 percent of the world’s mangrove forests between 1980 and 2000. Mangrove cover in the Philippines has dwindled by half with...
Flying for Hope: Towards Migratory Birds Conservation
The world has taken a toll from the climate crisis. Its impacts have resulted in unprecedented events that have affected both human activities and wildlife migration patterns. One of the most serious effects of the world’s alarming problem is the loss of habitats, which also poses a threat to food security. This is especially true for migrating birds, which rely largely on coastal wetland regions for breeding and foraging. Migratory species play a crucial role in Philippine biodiversity. Their significance is recognized in ecology, tourism, and the local economy. As a member of the East Asian-Australian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), the...
Navigating Towards a Sustainable Future: Highlights from the 17th National Symposium on Marine Science
Last week, Batangas State University played host to a pivotal event in the field of marine science – the 17th National Symposium on Marine Science, organized by the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS). This year’s theme, “Saving Our Seas: Restoring marine systems for people and nature,” resonated deeply with over 500 attendees from various sectors including academia, government, NGOs, and the private sector. The urgency of the Symposium’s theme was clear. In a world grappling with environmental changes, the call to action to restore our marine ecosystems has never been more pressing. Dr. Jayvee A. Saco, PAMS President, emphasized...
Real-time temperature monitoring in Tubbataha Reefs National Park
The Philippines is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful coral reefs in the world. One of the most stunning examples of these reefs can be found in the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Sulu Sea. The Tubbataha Reef is an incredibly diverse ecosystem, home to over 600 species of fish and 360 species of coral. Unfortunately, this delicate ecosystem is under threat from the effects of climate change, which is why the deployment of a real-time temperature sensor in the area is of utmost importance. Coral reefs are incredibly sensitive to changes...
Meet these 16 women restoring the Earth
On International Women’s Day, the Global Landscapes Forum announces its fourth annual list of climate leaders from around the world Our very own Co-founder, Frances Camille Rivera, has been recognize as one of the 16 women restoring the Earth! Check out the blog below: BONN, Germany (8 March 2023) – As humanity lurches from one crisis to another, women worldwide are building solutions to one of the gravest threats of all: climate change. To mark the United Nations’ International Women’s Day (IWD), observed on 8 March, the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is honoring 16 women on the frontline of the...
Blue Carbon Ecosystems:Climatological and Socio-economic Impacts of Mangrove Restoration in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
Mangroves for climate mitigation Mangroves are part of the blue carbon ecosystems (BCE). These are highly productive coastal ecosystems that can store large amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. In this case, mangroves store and sequester substantial amounts of carbon in their aboveground biomass (bark, leaves, branches) and belowground biomass (soil sediment) accumulated. Certainly, mangrove blue carbon ecosystems counterbalance the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Addressing the problem The project site in this research, Surigao del Sur, is highly vulnerable to natural hazards. Significantly, they are susceptible to super typhoons, storms, and flooding. As a result, this can lead to the...
Capacity-Building Training on Mangrove Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Conservation in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
Mangroves in the Philippines We have the common knowledge that whenever we encounter a plant or tree species, we always end up with one conclusion. They absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Conversely, they are called autotrophs. They are organisms that can make their food. And in the process, they support humans and other living things by providing clean and fresh air. This is why mangrove rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation is vital to human survival. However, one type of tree or shrub has been neglected and obscured through time, and individuals are completely unaware of its importance and purpose. And by far...