Philippines Forest Information and Data

According to the U.N. FAO, 25.7% or about 7,665,000 ha of Philippines is forested, according to FAO. Of this 11.2% ( 861,000 ) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Philippines had 352,000 ha of planted forest. 

Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2010, Philippines lost an average of 54,750 ha or 0.83% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Philippines gained 16.7% of its forest cover, or around 1,095,000 ha.

Philippines's forests contain 663 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass. Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Philippines has some 1196 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 45.8% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 14.7% are threatened. Philippines is home to at least 8931 species of vascular plants, of which 39.2% are endemic. 5.1% of Philippines is protected under IUCN categories I-V. 

2011 Update

In May 2011, Sassan Saatchi of Caltech's Jet Propulsion Lab and colleagues published a paper in PNAS with new carbon stock estimates for global tropical forests.

Forest definition (canopy cover %)	10% tree cover	25% tree cover	30% tree cover
Forest Area (M ha)	21	13	11
Aboveground forest carbon (Mt C)	1,810	1,176	1,068
Belowground forest carbon (Mt C)	502	324	293
Total forest carbon (Mt C)	2,312	1,500	1,361
Average Carbon Density (t C/ha)	111	118	120

Legend: M=million, t=metric tons; all figures are mean carbon stock values

- Rochelle Ann C. Herrero

Reference: http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Philippines.htm

Philippine Deforestation

“In the Philippines, only nine percent of the original forest cover remains but this is being illegally logged and hacked to death by loggers who flout the law and act with impunity and protected by corrupt politicians who fund their re-election with the proceeds.” - Fr. Shay Cullen


I read an article entitled “Climate change and Philippine deforestation” I was shocked when the author, Fr. Shay Cullen, cited that there is one vital number—390—that is going to determine the future of every living creature on our planet. As I read along, I learned that the number 390 was referred to as current state of the concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) in our atmosphere and most likely it is increasing daily. The start of out atmosphere is now at its dangerous level of 390 parts per million (ppm).  The heavy concentration of CO₂ is too much already and the planet is about to reach its tipping point which is 450 ppm where there will be no way to reverse the trend.

Environmentalists in the Philippines were angry when the director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Leo L. Jasareno, announced that President had given mining corporations an exemption from Executive Order 23 (EO23). EO Order 23 is the only protection that is holding back the loggers and the mining corporations. They want to dig out the forest and get the mineral out of it. Most likely it will cause to large-scale deforestation and disasters like landslides, river and sea poisoning. One of the big problems of deforestation is the burning of cleared forests that causes a huge release of CO₂ and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which results to 16 percent of all gasses released worldwide and an equal release of gases by almost every vehicle, plane or ship in the world. The loss of the trees will leave huge amounts of CO₂ unabsorbed. Forest trees acts as the CO₂ Sponge for our planet which helps to absorb CO₂ and release O₂. All of us can make a difference and can do something to stop environmental problems and planting a tree is a good way start refurbishing our damaged planet. The utmost hope we have for saving our planet from disaster will start in you.

        

 - Paulo Anjelo J. Santos

Reference: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/columnist1/11658-climate-change-and-philippine-deforestation

Half of the Amazon Rainforest to be Lost by 2030

I read an article by a man called David Gutierrez entitled “Half of the Amazon Rainforest to be Lost by 2030.” I couldn’t help but calculate how old I will be then. I would be 40 by 2030. Is this a fact? Is it something inevitable? As I read along, because of the effects of global warming and deforestation, more than half of the Amazon rainforest may be destroyed or severely damaged according to a report released by the Word Wildlife Fund. It stated 55 percent of the world’s largest rainforest stands to be severely damaged from agriculture, drought, fire, logging and livestock ranching in the next 22 years. Another 4 percent may be damaged by reduced rainfalls caused by global warming. They anticipated destroying about 80 percent of the wildlife habitat in the region.

Whenever one encounters a problem, the logical thing to do would be to think of a solution. But what if the problem was something every person in the world had? How would one think of a solution that will unite everyone in accomplishing a common goal? Sixty-four acres of rainforest are cut down every minute. They are used as papers, wood and other products we use in our daily lives. Is this staggering fact something we cannot stop or is there still something we can do about it? I think the answer lies amongst us. Rainforests are said to be worth more money dead than alive. That’s the harsh truth. If we're going to save rainforests, we have to be motivated by something more powerful than money, but more rare: Love. We should save rainforests because the world would be far less colorful, less beautiful and less meaningful without them. It's that simple. It would only take that much for us to make a difference and stop this prediction from occurring. Simply start with the basics. Recycle, or just basically save as much resources as we can. Because the next generation may not be as fortunate as we are. 

- Adrian M. Francisco

Reference: http://www.naturalnews.com/023673_Amazon_rainforest.html

DEFORESTATION.. causes, effects, solutions

We all know that trees are very important to us. But there are some people who are abusing our natural resources. Deforestation - the term which refers to irresponsible cutting down of trees in forested areas. Most of our forests play an important role in improving and regulating the amount of precipitation within an area as well as generating a good natural habitat for the species. 

CAUSES

There are several reasons why deforestation is still being executed. These reasons include the primary idea that forested land is not as economically feasible as farmland. Some reasons are the following:

Overgrazing

Forest Fires

Illegal Logging

• Urban Construction
• Industrialization
• Livestock farming.
• Experimentation purposes.
• Conversion into agricultural grounds. 
• Forest Fires

EFFECTS

There are numbers of adverse effect of deforestation that include environmental and economical. Some of these are listed below.

Soil Erosion

Global Warming

• Disruption of the Water Cycle 
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Climate Change
• Flooding and Drought

These are just a few effects of deforestation. The results of deforestation are very awful as every forms of life on Earth are interconnected with each other. These affect not only the lives and habitats of animals but also humans. People who are depending on the forest for their survival lose their livelihood. Deforestation can be stopped if we do our responsibilities and if we have enough disciplines to ourselves. 


SOLUTIONS

Trees play a critical role in the survival of animals and humans. So if cutting of trees will still be  continued, it will be a threat for animals and humans. The simplest solution to deforestation is to stop cutting trees. Other solutions are as follows.

Reforestation

• Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Commercial Forest Plantations
• Water Management

These solutions must take in seriously and should be strictly implemented. The said solutions can contribute to the survival of every living things. These can also help in preserving our natural resources. 

STOP DEFORESTATION!

- Erwin John R. Orate

Reference: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-deforestation.html