The University of the Philippines- Los Baños- College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB- CFNR) partnered with the Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MFTSC) of the ERDB- Forest and Wetland Research Development and Extension Center in a workshop on Strengthening Collaborative Tree Seed Supply Systems for Restoration in Mindanao held on February 28- March 1, 2023, at Bislig Highland Villa, Mangagoy, Bislig City.  The endeavor is aimed at bracing the collaboration of tree seed supply systems in Mindanao, 

Specifically, it intends to impart capabilities in species distribution mapping of selected native tree species in Mindanao to strengthen institutional and technical capacities. 

This way, the FLR projects are linked with quality seed sources and local seed producers with customers to support local livelihoods and sustainable forest management, according to Professor Enrique Tolentino, Jr. Ph.D. Dr. Tolentino is the project country coordinator of “Strengthening collaborative tree seed supply systems for restoration in Asia”.  

Dennis M. Gilbero, DagSci, Manager of the MFTSC, encouraged the participants to take part in a capacity-building assessment for sourcing-out native tree species such as Pterocarpus indicus Willd. (Narra), Agathis philippinensis Warb. (Almaciga) and Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal (Kalingag) Eucalyptus deglupta Blume (Bagras) and Shorea contorta Vidal (White lauan). 

Professor Cristino Tiburan, Jr., PhD., of the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources- UPLB- CFNR, emphasized that the selected species will be subjected to Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) using R and Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) which can predict the distribution of species across geographic space using environmental data such as climate, soil, etc.

The two-day workshop was participated by NGP focal persons and staff of DENR Regional Offices 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 as well as the Director of the Forest Management Services-Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (FMS-MENRE)- BARMM and FWRDEC personnel.

Tree seed sources information and occurrence are important in providing high-quality seeds and seedling sources for Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) projects. Through the identification of gaps in seed source availability for native species in Mindanao, the project can improve the access to information and help the forestry authorities and FLR implementers on the seed supply system in Mindanao. Dennis M. Gilbero, DagSci. and Janelle Vic Patulin, FWRDEC

Published: