Bio-diversity

Strengthening Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives in Pilar Cebu aims to address the twin issues of poverty and environmental degradation in the island municipality of Pilar by strategically strengthening communities for biodiversity conservation. The project will restore mangrove and coral reef habitats through the establishment of a co-managed protected area; implement mangrove friendly livelihood project to supplement the income of community members, and assess the viability of eco-tourism as a strategy for sustaining management of the established projects while increasing economic activity in the community. Biodiversity Characteristics/Value: According to a study by the Philippine Environmental Governance (ECOGOV) Project in 2004, Pilar has a live coral cover of 8.63%, with 76 species in 23 families of reef fishes that has a total biomass of 2.84 metric tons/km2. Total natural growth mangrove cover is 132 hectares. Mangrove plantations cover 7 hectares, while the bare lands cover 26 hectares. Present in both sites are different species of mangrove namely; rhizophora spp., sonneratia spp., xylocarpus spp., malatangal, buta-buta, and miyapi. There are about 6 species of seagrass observed. The most dominant are Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule pinifolia, Thalassia hemphrichii, Enhalus acoroides, Halophila spp., and Syringodium spp. The municipal waters is also a natural habitat of sea cucumbers, manthis shrimps, and tridacna squamosa. Current threats to these species include unsustainable and illegal extraction, encroachment of commercial fishing vessels, indiscriminate cutting of mangroves, and low income of coastal communities due to lack of livelihood opportunities. Specific Objectives 1. Enhance the capacity of community-based people`s organizations through active participation in meetings, action planning workshops, exposure trips, and trainings; 2. Restore mangrove and coral reef habitats, and sustain mangrove forest management through the establishment of a co-managed protected area 3. Implement a mangrove friendly livelihood project to supplement the income of NAKASE, MPA Management Team and other stakeholder groups; and 4. Assess the viability of eco-tourism as a strategy for sustaining management of the established projects while increasing activity in the community.

Philippines