Mobilizing Communities for Mangrove Reforestation in South Negros: Science and Socio-cultural-based Approaches to Conservation and Management

Abstract

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that play a crucial role in climate change mitigation by sequestering significant amounts of carbon and in climate change adaptation by safeguarding coastlines from erosion and extreme weather events. Mangrove forests in South Negros cover more than 1,000 ha, which constitutes less than 1% of the total land area of the 11 municipalities, and have very low regeneration potential. The Silliman University – GXI Reforestation Project aims to plant 500,000 seedlings of
mangrove and beach forest species in 78 hectares located in five municipalities in Negros Oriental, and to monitor the rate of carbon sequestration in 1- to 5-year-old seedlings. The project uses integrated science and socioculturalbased approaches for mangrove conservation and management, including vulnerability assessments, baseline surveys to determine the community
structure of mangrove forests in planting sites, determination of baseline blue carbon in the sites, and capacity building and training for participating People’s Organizations (POs). Currently, the project is working with 16 PO partners, serving a total of 210 PO beneficiaries, with 74.76% of them being female community members. As of September 2024, a total of 141,296 seedlings of mangrove and beach forest species have been planted, with an overall survival rate of 67.28%.