0266-B4

Criteria and indicators for assessing the sustainability of a community-based forest management project

Priscila Caraan Dolom ¹

Abstract

The study was conducted in a community-based forest management (CBFM) project in Ilagan, Isabela, in the Philippines, which covers an approximate area of 10220 ha. The project is managed by the VIBANARA Multipurpose Cooperative, Incorporated (VMPCI), a People's Organization in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The general objective was to identify and assess a set of sustainable criteria and indicators for the CBFM project that is acceptable to, and measurable by communities.

Data collection involved a combination of individual and key informants interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation, measurement of sheet erosion, analysis of soil properties, vegetation analyses and literature reviews. The data were analysed using frequencies, means, percentages, t-test, chi-square test and Least Significance Difference Test to test differences and significance.

Results of the study indicate that based on the perceptions of the VMPCI and the DENR, there are 23 indicators for sustainable CBFM in Ilagan, Isabela. These 23 indicators were categorized into two criteria: socio-economic and biophysical criteria. Fifteen indicators were in the socio-economic category, these were grouped into three as follows: indicators related to organizational capability with seven indicators listed: indicators related to socio-economic benefits to members and their distribution with six indicators identified; and indicators related to institutional support with about two indicators cited. In the biophysical category, there were eight indicators identified related to conservation of ecosystem health and vitality.

Among the 23 sustainability indicators tested, measured, examined and assessed, it was found that five indicators of sustainability are not present in the Ilagan CBFM project. These include generation of capital and net profit from local enterprises, available credit facilities/services, employment generation, distribution of benefits and enhancement of the protection of CBFM areas.

Using the relative weights assigned by the VMPCI and the DENR representatives in the focus group discussion/interview, it can be inferred that the Ilagan CBFM is on average 78% sustainable.

Introduction

Environmental degradation has been a pressing problem of most countries all over the world. Different projects and programs have been developed to address this but the problem seems to persist. The forests, for instance, as one of the most fragile ecosystems is continuously being threatened. In the Philippines alone, the forest cover has declined from 17 million hectares in 1930 to only 5.6 million hectares in 1995 (FMB, 1996).

The Philippine government has adopted Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) as a strategy for the sustainable management of the country's forest resources (EO 263). Unfortunately, Criteria and Indicators to determine if indeed a particular CBFM area is being managed sustainably is still in the development process. Thus, the study generally aims to identify set of criteria and indicators of sustainability for CBFM projects that is acceptable to, and measurable by communities or People's Organizations. Specifically, it aims to a) identify from existing literature indicators of sustainability of CBFM and validate their acceptability to local communities and other stakeholders in Ilagan, Isabela; b) develop participatory methodologies of measuring the selected indicators; c) assess sustainability of CBFM in Ilagan, Isabela, using the criteria and indicators identified and d) formulate policy recommendations based on the findings of the study.

This study was undertaken in a CBFM project in Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines which covers an approximate area of 10,220.18 hectares. The area is being managed by the VIBANARA Multipurpose Cooperative (VMPCI), a People's Organization, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a government agency in charge of managing the national natural resources.

Materials and Methods

The study made use of both purposive and systematic random sampling in site and respondents selection. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the study area since a specific characteristic of the area is required for the study. The Ilagan CBFM was chosen as the study site because it is one of the oldest pilot CBFM sites in the Philippines, the PO is considered well established, different CBFM components are in place, and the project has established linkages with different funding sources. The systematic random sampling was used in identifying the actual respondents. The respondents were randomly selected from the master list given by the VMPCI officers. A sample size of 48, representing 22% of the total household members were drawn. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview schedule.

Two focus group discussions were conducted with the members and officers of the VMPCI and DENR. In the first group discussion criteria and indicators from existing literatures were presented to selected members of the VMPCI and representatives of the DENR. From the list presented the group discussed and selected those that indicate sustainability in the Ilagan CBFM area. In the second FGD, the selected criteria and indicators were presented and the members of the group were asked to give relative weights to each indicator by distributing the 100-points rating among the 23 indicators depending on the relative importance they attach to each.

In measuring the bio-physical indicators, comparison plots were established for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), agroforestry, reforestation and their adjacent grassland/brushland areas. An assessment of species diversity, soil physical and chemical properties and soil erosion rates were undertaken to determine the differences between the grassland/brushland areas without any land management intervention and those areas where rehabilitation activities such as agroforestry, reforestation and assisted natural regeneration were applied. In this case, a with and without research design was used.

Descriptive statistics such as means, ranges, frequency counts and percentages were used to describe the respondents. A narrative one-on-one assessments of the selected indicators were done, using as basis the results of the interview, existing records and the field/laboratory measurements and analysis. Test of differences (chi-square test and t-test) were used to determine the significance of the criteria and indicators being tested and measured.

Results and Discussion

Socio-Demographic and Economic Characteristics of Respondents

The respondents' mean age is 44 years. The oldest is 77 years old while the youngest is 22. Of the total number of respondents, 66% were male while the rest were female. Almost all (81%) were married, only four percent (4%) were single and the rest were either widow/widower or separated. All of the respondents have attended formal education with only 2.1% finishing their college degree. Farming is the primary occupation for a great majority (79.2%) of the respondents. The VMPCI members are mostly migrants.

The respondents have been farming from 2 to 38 years in the upland with an average of 16 years. The farmers have to hike to reach their farms with a distance ranging from 1 kilometer to 9 kilometers. Farmers have to carry or use carabao-driven sledge or horses in transporting their products from the farm lot to the barangay road or vise versa.

Majority (81.3%) of the respondents employ soil conservation measures in their farms. They usually use the vegetative type which according to them is very effective in preventing soil erosion in their farms. They are aware that bare farms and steep slopes have higher erosion rates and will loss soil nutrients and fertility and also can cause river siltation.

Bio-physical Characteristics of the Ilagan CBFM Project

The vegetative cover of the Ilagan CBFM project's 10,220 hectares consist of: old growth forest - 85 hectares; residual forests - 6,585.80 hectares; reproduction brush - 1,200.00 hectares; brushland - 900 hectares; grassland - 1,175 hectares; and cultivated/agricultural lands - 275 hectares.

Based on the results of the soil analysis, the soil type in the project site is predominantly clay loam. Soil pH ranges from 5.4 to 5.8 which is within the ideal pH of 5.5 where most plant nutrients are in readily available form. The project area is generally rolling with slight to moderate slopes. The elevation ranges from 100 to 748 meters above sea level with a hilly terrain of 30 to 60 degrees. The project area is drained by creeks and five (5) river systems. The area falls under type IV climate where the seasons are not pronounced. Dry season usually occurs from January to May while wet season is from June to December.

Selected C and I of Sustainability in the Ilagan CBFM

From the list of sustainability criteria and indicators gathered from the existing literatures, members of the focus group discussion consisting of representatives from the DENR and VMPCI were able to identify 23 indicators which they consider are applicable in the Ilagan CBFM . These indicators were grouped into two (2) criteria which reflect the objectives of CBFM. These are the socio-economic and the biophysical criteria.

The PO and DENR representatives identified 15 indicators of sustainability of CBFM under the socio-economic criterion while eight indicators were identified under the bio-physical criterion. For the socio-economic criterion, three groups of indicators were measured and tested. The first group includes indicators related to organizational capability, such as the following: 1) PO registered; 2) increasing PO and Coop membership; 3) existence of written internal policies; 4) generation of capital and net profit from local enterprises; 5) secured tenure over CBFM area; 6) awareness of the members of the CBFM program; and 7) extension of membership to all interested residents of the community. The second set includes those indicators related to socio-economic benefits to members and their distribution, such as: 8) availability of credit facilities/services; 9) increased income; 10) employment generation; 11) improved distribution of benefits; 12) increased farm productivity; and 13) access to resources. The last group consists of those indicators related to institutional support, which are as follows: 14) stakeholders participate in CBFM activities; and 15) established linkages/networks of POs. For the bio-physical criterion, the identified indicators are those related to conservation of ecosystem health and vitality and these are: 16) adoption of soil conservation measures; 17) improved water supply; 18) increased species diversity; 19) improved soil fertility; 20) reduced open and degraded lands; 21) protection of CBFM area are enhanced; 22) forest activities follow approved CRMF plan; and 23) forest resources within the management unit have been assessed and mapped.

Assessment of Sustainability Criteria and Indicators in Ilagan CBFM Project

The identified 23 indicators of sustainability were tested and measured in the Ilagan CBFM project. The results of the assessment for each indicator are indicated in table 1 including the relative weights assigned by the PO and the DENR.

The overall assessment of the sustainability indicators, indicate that five (5) indicators of sustainability are not present in the Ilagan CBFM. These include generation of capital and net profit from local enterprises, available credit facilities/services, employment generation, distribution of benefits and enhancement of the protection of the CBFM area. Using the relative weights assigned by the representatives from the VMPCI and the DENR, it can be inferred that the CBFM project in Ilagan is 78% sustainable.

Table 1. Assessment and ranking of identified indicators of sustainability of CBFM in Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines.

From the relative weights assigned by the PO and DENR representatives, the top 10 ranking indicators were selected. The list indicates that among the top 10 indicators, there are five (5) indicators common to both the DENR and the VMPCI. These are existence of written internal policies, increased income, generation of capital and net profit from local enterprises, employment generation, and established linkages and network of POs. Surprisingly the top 3 indicators as perceived by the DENR were not included in the top 10 indicators as perceived by the VMPCI, implying there is a mismatch in priority indicators between the DENR and the PO. This finding is significant because it is possible that the priority activities supported by the DENR is related to a large extent to its perceived priority indicators of sustainability in CBFM. Thus, it is not surprising for DENR to focus its CBFM activities in information dissemination, issuance of land tenure instruments and agroforestry development or adoption of soil conservation measures. While these activities are necessary in CBFM, they are nonetheless not the priority concerns of the PO. It is probable that because of this situation, local communities are sometimes reluctant to participate in some CBFM activities of the DENR.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions can be drawn.

It is possible to measure the sustainability of CBFM using criteria and indicators. As parameters for measuring sustainability, the identified criteria and indicators can be included in the monitoring system of the DENR to determine whether a CBFM area is progressing towards sustainability. Continuous monitoring of these indicators is necessary to ensure timely spotting of problems that could hinder sustainability.

There are at least 23 indicators of sustainability which can be used to assess the sustainability of CBFM in Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines. These indicators are acceptable to both the Peoples Organization and the government agency which is the DENR. As tested in the field, these indicators can be easily measured and analyzed.

Participatory approach is a necessary tool in developing and measuring sustainability C&I. By involving the people like the members of the People's Organizations and the DENR as well as other stakeholders, it is possible to generate consensus on a set of sustainability C&I for CBFM projects.

The PO and DENR have different priority indicators of sustainability in the Ilagan CBFM. This finding also indicate a possible mismatch in priority activities between these stakeholders. To ensure active community participation in CBFM project activities, the DENR must consider refocusing its priority indicators to fit with the perceived priorities of the POs.

The Ilagan CBFM has been assessed as 78% sustainable using the weights assigned by the VMPCI and the DENR on the identified C&I. However, there is a need to conduct follow-up assessments to establish sufficient time series data in some indicators.

Literature Cited

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¹ Forestry Development Center, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines. [email protected]