Partners and Donors

Warning: Parameter 1 to modMainMenuHelper::buildXML() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/environm/public_html/libraries/joomla/cache/handler/callback.php on line 99
Home News & Events News Indigenous Trees
Indigenous Trees PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   

The Philippines is known all over the world for its hardwoods. From 1972 to 1988, the logging industry leveled 8.57 million hectares of forest. During the same period, the industry devastated 3.88 million hectares of forest. Due to the unabated destruction of our forest, only 6-8% of natural vegetation remains.

Considered to be one of the world's richest repositories of biological diversity, we have about 3,879, identified tree species of which 3,574 are indigenous and 305 are introduced species. Unfortunately, nationwide reforestation efforts have limited itself to planting a number of species-gmelina, mahogany and narra.

Why Do We Care?

With most of our forests gone...

  • So are the unique and endemic plants  and animals, which also form part of our nation's patrimony.
  • The environment stops providing the services it normally gives, most important of which are cleansing the air, providing fresh water, creating and regenerating soil and regulating climate.
  • It means diminishing production, vanishing biodiversity, continuous soil erosion, flash floods and other related problems.

What is an Indigenous Tree?

Indigenous tree is synonymous to native tree. It exists at a given location or in a particular ecosystem. Endemic species, on the other hand, is a native species restricted to a particular geographic region owing to factors such as isolation or in response to soil or climatic conditions (CBD,2003)

Why Indigenous Trees?

Nature provides us with what we need and we must be responsible in taking care of it. For the past years, forest resources are being threatened. Thousand hectares of forest areas were destructively logged leaving us nothing but open lands.

As a result of massive exploitation of our forest, the existence of many of these indigenous species in the wild are threatened.

It is imperative  to protect and ensure the existence of the indigenous tree species. Indigenous tree species has wide range of ecological services and provides multiple uses to the daily life of rural communities.

Native tree species abound in the uplands. It is attractive because planting material is readily available for propagation from seed, cutting or wildlings. Since introduced species are not adapted to local pests and diseases or may be carrying different form of disease, indigenous trees has inherent ecological adaptability in the site and present a lower risk when planted by farmers. It can easily be integrated in the farmers' farming system

 

News/Updates

News
PFEC 16th National Environmental Congress
PFEC Holds its 16th National Environmental CongressManila, Philippines, November 16, 2011 – In celebration of the International Year of the Forest, the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern (PFEC) in cooperation with the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) and Kerk in Actie, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), held its 16th PFEC National Environmental Congress with the theme, “People for the Forests, Forests for the Future: Evolving Trends, Maximizing Opportunities.” The congress took place on November 17-19, 2011 at Hotel Stotsenberg, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.This year’s congress focused on key players and actors on forest related issues from...Read more...
Ten Ways to Protect and Conserve Our Rivers, Lakes and Streams
1. PROTECT THE WATERSHED Maintain the area of the water reservoir forested and free from garbage and other harmful substance (e.g. pesticides, chemical fertilizer) which can cause negative impact to the ecosystem. Be vigilant and cautious for possible source of forest fire. If there are settlers in the area, encourage them to practice environmental friendly farming techniques like Sloping Agricultural Land Technology  and terraced cropping to prevent soil erosion. 2. PREVENT SOIL EROSION Eroded soil is one of the main reasons why rivers and lakes become filthy. There will be siltation in the river bed that can eventually affect its depth. To prevent soil erosion, plant veitver grass, tress seedlings, bamboo and ferns which can hold the soil. These are also plants which can thrive...Read more...
PFEC Campaigns for Planting of Indigenous Trees in Philippine Forests Rehabilitation and Development
The Philippines is known all over the world for its hardwoods. From 1972 to 1988, the logging industry leveled 8.57 million hectares of forest. During the same period, the industry devastated 3.88 million hectares of forest. Due to the unabated destruction of our forest, only 6-8% of natural vegetation remains. Considered to be one of the world's richest repositories of biological diversity, we have about 3,879, identified tree species of which 3,574 are indigenous and 305 are introduced species. Unfortunately, nationwide reforestation efforts have limited itself to planting a number of species-gmelina, mahogany and narra.Read more...

Drop A Message