Ecological & Social Services of Agusan Marsh

8/8/2019 Ecological & Social Services of Agusan Marsh

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Ecological & Social ServicesEcological & Social Servicesof of

AgusanAgusan MarshMarsh



FUNCTIONS OF THEENVIRONMENT

Regulation Functions Production Functions Carrier Functions

Aesthetic Functions



Regulation Functions

The environment sustains life-support systems, such

as tropical forests, oceans, mangrove swamps, and

coral reefs.



Production Functions

The environments inputs are direct contributions toeconomic activity (oil, coal, fuel wood, minerals).



Carrier Functions

The environment and natural resources such asclean air and clean water contribute to the quality

of life, for example, they contribute to physical

health.



Aesthetic Functions

The environment is valued as an amenity withintrinsic worth; for instance, people appreciate

natural landscapes and enjoy them through

recreational activities.



National Integrated Protected Area in 1994;

Wildlife Sanctuary by Presidential

Proclamation 913 in 1996;

Wetland of International Importance by

RAMSAR Convention in 1999.

AGUSAN MARSH



Agusan Marsh ProfileAgusan Marsh Profile

113,000 hectares total area.

40,000 hectares protected area40,000 hectares protected areaunder NIPASunder NIPAS

Stored more than 15% of Stored more than 15% of Philippine fresh waterPhilippine fresh water

6262 lakeslakes

58 tributary rivers58 tributary rivers

Straddles 8Straddles 8 municipalities of municipalities of AgusanAgusan deldel SurSur



1. CATCH BASIN

Functions of Agusan Marsh



Catch Basin

catch basin of rivers and

streams arising from watersheds in

Agusan, Compostela Valley, Surigao,

Davao, and Bukidnon Provinces;

extensive floodplains of shallow lakes &

ponds that lie at confluences of severalAgusan River tributaries;



Catch Basin

acts like giant sponge, soaking up excess

water from mountains during rainy season,

creating a huge area for wetland wildlife

and protecting downstream areas from

catastrophic floods;

drains northward via Agusan River into

Butuan Bay (Agusan from agasan

where the river flows);



Catch Basin

vast freshwater swamp, reportedly stores15% of entire freshwater resources of the

country.



2. WILDLIFE SANCTUARY




Wildlife Sanctuary

birds: 126 species/47 families (24%

endemic)

amphibians+reptiles: 53 spp. (51%endemic)

mammals: 15 spp. (33% endemic)



17 undergrowth plants28 vines, lianas, epiphytes

36- grasses, ground herbs

65 butterflies

17 fish

21 amphibians

39 reptiles (snakes, crocodiles)

14 mammals (bats, squirrels, wild pigs)

Wildlife Sanctuary



Wildlife Santuary

>200 species known to spend part of the year in

Marsh, making it one of Asias most important

sites for both resident and migratory birds;

thousands of birds, like Purple Heron

Ardeapurpurea, migrate from Japan, China, and

Russia to escape chilly winter winds;



Wildlife Santuary

valuable habitat for waterbirds like ducks,herons, and egrets that build nests as water

level rises during rainy season;

refuge of rare Oriental Darter Anhinga

melanogaster,Purple Swamp Hen

Porphyrioporphyrio, & threatened Philippine

Hawk Eagle Spizaetusphilippensis, SpottedImperial Pigeon Duculacarola and Rufous-

lored Kingfisher Todirhampuswinchelli.



3. HOME OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

& SETTLERS




People in floating houses who reside permanently

in Agusan Marsh, mainly around the major rivers;

People who live in Agusan Marsh only during the

dry period and who move out to the periphery

during the flood;

People who live permanently on the periphery of

the marsh and move into the marsh on a daily

basis

Home of Indigenous Peoples& Settlers





Home of Indigenous Peoples& Settlers

Higher IP (Manobo) composition is

observed among the communities ininterior river towns, while more non-IPs are

found inhabiting the exterior towns



4. FISHING GROUNDS








5. EXPERTS & STUDENTS

DESTINATION








I·m in my job for fourty years andI·m in my job for fourty years and

traveled several countries, Agusantraveled several countries, AgusanMarsh is the best place to study birds.µMarsh is the best place to study birds.µ

Dr. Atella BankovichDr. Atella BankovichZoologistZoologist-- GermanyGermany



6. ECOTOURISTS

DESTINATION






Flooding;

Invasion of exotic species;

Hunting & trapping of wildlife species;

Illegal fishing;

Killer Crocodile problem;

Threats to Agusan Marsh



Unregulated in-migration;

Siltation arising from mining & logging;

Heavy metals contamination;

Land use conversion;

Crop shifting;




Use of fuel wood for cooking;

Timber poaching;

Peace and order problem;

Problem of management.




Correcting prices.

Policies for a Sustainable Future (1)



Mainstreaming environmental considerationsinto economywide policies work, and cost-

benefit analysis of projects.

Policy for a Sustainable Future (2)



Devising sustainability indicators in an attempt to modify systems of national accounts.

Policy for a Sustainable Future (3)



MatlasaMatlasaYokaaYokaa!!!!!!

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Ecological & Social Services of Agusan Marsh