A Socio-Ecological Approach to Managing Plant Invasion in Pangdan River, City of Naga, Cebu, Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v10iSpecial_3.3642Keywords:
biotic indices, plant species, riparian ecosystems, socio-ecological approachAbstract
Plant invasion threatens the ecological functions and biodiversity of riparian ecosystems. Various management strategies are proposed to preserve its ecological vitality; However, several challenges are observed in many management efforts. This study adopted a socio-ecological approach to understand the riparian landscape along the Pangdan River, City of Naga, Cebu Island, Philippines. Using the Belt Transect-Quadrat Method, ecological components, ie, biological indices, and climatic and edaphic parameters were assessed; semi-structured interviews among stakeholders were also employed to gather social and historical data. Results showed a gradient in plant diversity, with upstream having higher native plant richness (N=67.57%) and downstream displaying the lowest native plant richness (N=5.41%). Light intensity and temperature emerged as key factors shaping plant communities, with both native and alien species richness decreasing as these factors increased. Soil properties within the examined range had minimal independent effects on plant diversity. Historical analysis revealed the prevalence of anthropogenic activities, ie, quarrying, artisanal mining, and the introduction of invasive plants. The documented decrease in plant diversity and the prevalence of alien species raise concerns about the river's ecosystem health. Providing valuable baseline data and understanding the current state of the riparian zone is crucial for developing effective management strategies in riparian ecosystems.
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References
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