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A management system for watersheds dominated by spiked pepper (Piper aduncum L.) in Southern Mindanao, Philippines
Dissertation Abstract:
This study explored ways of harnessing the potentials of the spiked pepper tree (Piper aduncum) for the management of watersheds where it has proliferated. With Upper Buayan Watershed in Sarangani Province as the study area. The methods employed were: (1) biophysical characterization using GIS, (2) determination of farmers’ knowledge and perceptions on spiked pepper, (3) carbon stock assessment, (4) determination of soil chemical properties, (5) floral diversity assessment, (6) economic valuation of spiked pepper, and (7) cost-benefit analysis.
Spiked pepper was found to have many ecological and economic benefits, far outweighing its supposed disadvantages as a species considered to be bio-invasive. Aside from its acceptability among farmers, it was found to have strong potentials for carbon sequestration, for improving soil nutrients after a short period, and for livelihood generation when its poles are sold as firewood or as tomato and asparagus pegs. Biodiversity-wise, spiked pepper stands nurture a big number of endemic wildlings. Its bright prospects also came out for improving the cover of hilly lands susceptible to erosion during rains and to wildfires during dry months, suppressing cogon and other weeds in grasslands, and shortening the fallow period of upland cropping systems.
Cost-benefit analysis of the 10 management system options arrived at revealed that the most profitable was agroforestry (NPV = PHP 33.8 trillion), followed by rubber plantation (PHP 2.2 trillion), and preservation (PHP 270.56 million). The least profitable was grazing (NPV = PHP 6 million). Spiked pepper’s robust growth performance in grasslands and marginal areas makes it a highly potent species for reforestation of denuded uplands, rehabilitation of
erosion-impacted watersheds, provision of alternative livelihood for upland dwellers, and deflecting small-wood gatherers that would otherwise turn to natural forests and to more valuable indigenous species. Its use can serve to propel the National Greening Program and help the country face its rural poverty, food security, and climate change
problems.
Gray areas on the other economic and ecological potentials of spiked pepper still exist. Thus, a number of recommendations are made to fill research gaps, address policy requirements, and fine-tune management systems.