Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao and Quezon National Park, Quezon Province, Philippines

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KARYA TULIS

Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics in Mangrove Experimental

Forest, Pagbilao and Quezon National Park,

Quezon Province, Philippines

Oleh :

RAHMAWATY


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KATA PENGANTAR

Puji syukur kami panjatkan kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, yang telah memberikan segala rahmat dan karunia-Nya sehingga KARYA TULIS berjudul “Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao and Quezon National Park, Quezon Province, Philippines

” ini dapat diselesaikan.

Tulisan ini merupakan suatu hasil pemikiran yang diharapkan dapat memberikan informasi kepada pembaca mengenai keadaan struktur ekosistem dan dinamika hutan mangrove percobaan dan taman nasional Queson di Philippines.

Kami menyadari bahwa karya tulis ini masih jauh dari sempurna, oleh karena itu kami mengharapkan saran dan kritik yang bersifat membangun untuk lebih menyempurnakan karya tulis ini. Akhir kata kami ucapkan semoga karya tulis ini dapat bermanfaat.

Medan, Maret 2010

Penulis


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DAFTAR ISI

I. Introduction 1

A. Background 1

B. Objective 2

II. Description and disscussion 2

A. Mangrove Experimental Forest 2

B. Quezon National Park 3

III. Conclusion 4

IV. Pictures of Field Trip Location 4

A. Mangrove Experimental Forest 4

B. Quezon National Park 4


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Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics in Mangrove Experimental

Forest, Pagbilao and Quezon National Park,

Quezon Province, Philippines

BY: Rahmawaty

I. Introduction A. Background

Ecosystem is an assemblage of living and non living elements contained within a boundary such that these elements have functional relationships with each other and can maintain the flow of energy and complete the chemical cycle. There were so many factual real ecosystem conditions that we were able to be observed which correlated with our subject in term of ecosystem structure, diversity and also their sustainability.

The field trip was conducted on February 24, 2007. From the field trip we can see the sample of forest ecosystem. There are two kinds of forest ecosystem that was visited, namely: mangrove forest ecosystem in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao-Quezon and tropical rain forest ecosystem in Quezon National Park, Quezon Province. According to Pacardo (2007) there are five properties of ecosystems, namely:

1) Productivity, defines as the rate by wind carbohydrate is a store by producers by photosynthesis (kg CO2/unit area/unit time or sometimes kg organic matter/ha/year).


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2) Stability, it is measure in term of fluctuation of activity in period of time. This fluctuation associate with small change of disturbance/minor changes.

3) Sustainability refers to the fluctuation of production.

4) Biodiversity refers of the greater species present in ecosystem. 5) Equitability.

Based on the five of properties of ecosystem above, we can identify the kinds of ecosystem and try to explain the properties of ecosystems in field trip location. Generally, after direct observation to the field we can more appreciate the properties of ecosystems, tropical rain forest and mangrove forest.

B. Objectives

The aims of this field trip are to know and distinguished kinds of ecosystem and to see and observe directly the condition for this ecosystem so as could explain properties of this ecosystem.

II. Description and Discussion A. Mangrove Experimental Forest

Mangroves (generally) are trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal habitats (Wikipedia Encyclopedia, 2007). Mangrove forests consist of diverse, salt-tolerant tree and other plant species, ranging from small


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systems give support in the soft, water-logged sediment. In most species, the roots protrude above the soil to absorb oxygen from the air, as the sediment is oxygen-poor. Mangrove forests play a central role in transferring organic matter and energy from the land to marine ecosystems. This matter and energy comes from detritus from fallen leaves and branches, and forms the base of important marine food chains (WWF, 2006).

From the field trip we have seen the sample of mangrove forest ecosystem in Mangrove Experimental Forest. According to Garcia (2006), this mangrove forest is a living proof of a successful rehabilitation effort. Even before World War II, the area was a favorite to poachers who gather the "bakawan" which is a very good material for charcoal. In 1975, the 145 hectare area was declared as Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest by virtue of Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) Administrative Order No. 7 (s. 1975). This declaration provided the necessary protection (and funding) and further poaching was prevented. Now, the diverse ecosystem makes the area a favorite field trip destination mostly of botany and zoology students from prestigious universities.

At this time, the conditions of mangrove forest in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao- Quezon, have been reforestation by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DENR as the government institution maintained this area as Mangrove Experimental Forest with DENR Administrative Order No. 92-56 Subject: Designation of Pagbilao Mangrove Swamp Experimental Forest as


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Genetic Resources Area and National Training Site for Mangrove, December 10, 1992. From the field trip we have seen the mangrove forest ecosystem condition in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao- Quezon. I also saw that the mangrove trees is still complete, like: Rhizophora sp. that have tangles of prop roots, Avicennia sp. that have bean like seedlings, Nypa fruticans that is palms present, and Bruguiera sp. that have pendulous seedling like Rhizophora sp. Other observation, There were no more the inhabitants who entered this territory to build the house and open the fishpond. Trees mangrove had the high density. Therefore the conditions for the forest mangrove in this area still have the high productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability.

The increased of ecosystem properties will give the benefit for humankind because the undisturbance of the ecosystem then this forest could go in accordance with his function. As we know from lecturer in ENS 201 by DR Florece that there are four significance of mangrove, namely: 1) exports detritus and nutrients which form the food base of a complex of marine organisms, which in turn, support valuable estuarine and near shore fisheries such as finfish, shellfish and crustaceans, 2) serves as feeding and nursery or spawning grounds for economically important finfish, shellfishes and crustaceans, 3) serves to protect valuable properties by dampening storm surges and high winds associated with tropical typhoons, 4) helps prevent erosion of banks and rivers, thus


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and had an impact on the life of humankind and If mangrove was disturbed, then this ecosystem could not go in accordance with it function. As a result, productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability will decrease.

B. Quezon National Park

As we know from lecturer in ENS 201 by DR Florece that Tropical rain forest is a climax vegetation situated in the equatorial belt and bounded by the tropic of Cancer (23027’N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23027’S). From the field trip we have seen the sample of tropical rain forest ecosystem in Quezon National Park, Quezon Province. We found from the field trip that the condition of tropical rain forest ecosystem is a good condition, because it condition was not disrupted by the human activity.

My observation was seen that trees density is high, the litter on the forest floor is thick (this litter will be compose by soil fauna and the results as a nutrient that was useful to plants, we called as nutrient cycles process). Classification of trees by crown class still complete, like the dominant, codominant, intermediate and suppressed that still dominated in this ecosystem. This indicated that the condition for this ecosystem was still stable, undisturbance, and balanced. Therefore the condition for this forest in this area that was observed, like: productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability are still high.


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Other observation, for instance the fauna often was received in this area, like birds and several insects. We also observe the local tree or native trees, namely malabayabas (Tristania decorticata Merr), family of Myrtaceae). Malabayabas is endemic to the province alone while the endangered flying fox thrives there without fear (Wikipedia, 2007). This tress dominated in this area. They have red color of bole and the wood is hard.

III. Conclusion

If ecosystem is not disturbed then ecosystem properties (productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability) high and the function will from the ecosystem go in accordance with his function so as to be created the stability of the ecosystem. Hence, the balance of the ecosystem must continue to be maintained in order to be able to go in accordance with his function. Therefore the impact that the can emerged as a result of the disturbance of the ecosystem.

IV. Pictures of Field Trip Location B. Mangrove Experimental Forest


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B. Quezon National Park

Figure 2. Location of Quezon National Park in Quezon Province

References

DENR. 1992. DENR Administrative Order No. 92-56 Subject: Designation of Pagbilao Mangrove Swamp Experimental Forest as Genetic Resources Area and National Training Site for Mangrove.

December 10, 1992. http://www.tanggol.org/environmental_laws/DAO_92-56.html

Florece, L.M. 2007. Reading Material in Lecture Environmental Science (ENS 201). School of Environmental Science and Management. UPLB. College Laguna. (Unpublished).

Garcia, EPP. 2006. Pagbilao Mangrove Forest Province of Quezon. http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.html?wpt=pagmef Pacardo, E.P. 2007. Reading Material in Lecture Environmental Science

(ENS 201). School of Environmental Science and Management. UPLB. College Laguna. (Unpublished).

Wikipedia Encyclopedia. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove#General_description

Wikipedia Encyclopedia. 2007. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Batangas

World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 2006. Mangrove forests: ecology. http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/blue_planet/c oasts/mangroves/mangrove_ecology/index.cfm

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2) Stability, it is measure in term of fluctuation of activity in period of time. This fluctuation associate with small change of disturbance/minor changes.

3) Sustainability refers to the fluctuation of production.

4) Biodiversity refers of the greater species present in ecosystem. 5) Equitability.

Based on the five of properties of ecosystem above, we can identify the kinds of ecosystem and try to explain the properties of ecosystems in field trip location. Generally, after direct observation to the field we can more appreciate the properties of ecosystems, tropical rain forest and mangrove forest.

B. Objectives

The aims of this field trip are to know and distinguished kinds of ecosystem and to see and observe directly the condition for this ecosystem so as could explain properties of this ecosystem.

II. Description and Discussion A. Mangrove Experimental Forest

Mangroves (generally) are trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal habitats (Wikipedia Encyclopedia, 2007). Mangrove forests consist of diverse, salt-tolerant tree and other plant species, ranging from small shrubs to tall trees tens of meters high Mangrove trees have various adaptations that allow them to live in saline, tidal areas. Their dense root


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systems give support in the soft, water-logged sediment. In most species, the roots protrude above the soil to absorb oxygen from the air, as the sediment is oxygen-poor. Mangrove forests play a central role in transferring organic matter and energy from the land to marine ecosystems. This matter and energy comes from detritus from fallen leaves and branches, and forms the base of important marine food chains (WWF, 2006).

From the field trip we have seen the sample of mangrove forest ecosystem in Mangrove Experimental Forest. According to Garcia (2006), this mangrove forest is a living proof of a successful rehabilitation effort. Even before World War II, the area was a favorite to poachers who gather the "bakawan" which is a very good material for charcoal. In 1975, the 145 hectare area was declared as Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest by virtue of Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) Administrative Order No. 7 (s. 1975). This declaration provided the necessary protection (and funding) and further poaching was prevented. Now, the diverse ecosystem makes the area a favorite field trip destination mostly of botany and zoology students from prestigious universities.

At this time, the conditions of mangrove forest in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao- Quezon, have been reforestation by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DENR as the government institution maintained this area as Mangrove Experimental Forest with DENR Administrative Order No. 92-56 Subject: Designation of Pagbilao Mangrove Swamp Experimental Forest as


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Genetic Resources Area and National Training Site for Mangrove, December 10, 1992. From the field trip we have seen the mangrove forest ecosystem condition in Mangrove Experimental Forest, Pagbilao- Quezon. I also saw that the mangrove trees is still complete, like: Rhizophora sp. that have tangles of prop roots, Avicennia sp. that have bean like seedlings, Nypa fruticans that is palms present, and Bruguiera sp. that have pendulous seedling like Rhizophora sp. Other observation, There were no more the inhabitants who entered this territory to build the house and open the fishpond. Trees mangrove had the high density. Therefore the conditions for the forest mangrove in this area still have the high productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability.

The increased of ecosystem properties will give the benefit for humankind because the undisturbance of the ecosystem then this forest could go in accordance with his function. As we know from lecturer in ENS 201 by DR Florece that there are four significance of mangrove, namely: 1) exports detritus and nutrients which form the food base of a complex of marine organisms, which in turn, support valuable estuarine and near shore fisheries such as finfish, shellfish and crustaceans, 2) serves as feeding and nursery or spawning grounds for economically important finfish, shellfishes and crustaceans, 3) serves to protect valuable properties by dampening storm surges and high winds associated with tropical typhoons, 4) helps prevent erosion of banks and rivers, thus protects properties adjacent to them. So, if the mangrove function was disturbed, then mangrove ecosystem could not undertake it function well


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and had an impact on the life of humankind and If mangrove was disturbed, then this ecosystem could not go in accordance with it function. As a result, productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability will decrease.

B. Quezon National Park

As we know from lecturer in ENS 201 by DR Florece that Tropical rain forest is a climax vegetation situated in the equatorial belt and bounded by the tropic of Cancer (23027’N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23027’S). From the field trip we have seen the sample of tropical rain forest ecosystem in Quezon National Park, Quezon Province. We found from the field trip that the condition of tropical rain forest ecosystem is a good condition, because it condition was not disrupted by the human activity.

My observation was seen that trees density is high, the litter on the forest floor is thick (this litter will be compose by soil fauna and the results as a nutrient that was useful to plants, we called as nutrient cycles process). Classification of trees by crown class still complete, like the dominant, codominant, intermediate and suppressed that still dominated in this ecosystem. This indicated that the condition for this ecosystem was still stable, undisturbance, and balanced. Therefore the condition for this forest in this area that was observed, like: productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability are still high.


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Other observation, for instance the fauna often was received in this area, like birds and several insects. We also observe the local tree or native trees, namely malabayabas (Tristania decorticata Merr), family of Myrtaceae). Malabayabas is endemic to the province alone while the endangered flying fox thrives there without fear (Wikipedia, 2007). This tress dominated in this area. They have red color of bole and the wood is hard.

III. Conclusion

If ecosystem is not disturbed then ecosystem properties (productivity, stability, sustainability, biodiversity, and equitability) high and the function will from the ecosystem go in accordance with his function so as to be created the stability of the ecosystem. Hence, the balance of the ecosystem must continue to be maintained in order to be able to go in accordance with his function. Therefore the impact that the can emerged as a result of the disturbance of the ecosystem.

IV. Pictures of Field Trip Location B. Mangrove Experimental Forest

Figure 1. Location of Mangrove Experimental Forest in Pagbilao- Quezon


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B. Quezon National Park

Figure 2. Location of Quezon National Park in Quezon Province References

DENR. 1992. DENR Administrative Order No. 92-56 Subject: Designation of Pagbilao Mangrove Swamp Experimental Forest as Genetic Resources Area and National Training Site for Mangrove.

December 10, 1992. http://www.tanggol.org/environmental_laws/DAO_92-56.html

Florece, L.M. 2007. Reading Material in Lecture Environmental Science (ENS 201). School of Environmental Science and Management. UPLB. College Laguna. (Unpublished).

Garcia, EPP. 2006. Pagbilao Mangrove Forest Province of Quezon. http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.html?wpt=pagmef Pacardo, E.P. 2007. Reading Material in Lecture Environmental Science

(ENS 201). School of Environmental Science and Management. UPLB. College Laguna. (Unpublished).

Wikipedia Encyclopedia. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove#General_description

Wikipedia Encyclopedia. 2007. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Batangas

World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 2006. Mangrove forests: ecology. http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/blue_planet/c oasts/mangroves/mangrove_ecology/index.cfm

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