Integrating science-based and local ecological knowledge: a case study of mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines

Background

The Philippines' geography makes it highly vulnerable to weather-related events, including rising sea levels and intensifying typhoons that result in stronger storm surges and heavier precipitation. While artificial coastal defenses are an option, ecosystem-based protection, specifically through mangrove forests, presents a more affordable and sustainable approach to disaster risk reduction. However, historical deforestation driven by overexploitation and government-initiated fishpond conversion has significantly diminished the capacity of mangrove forests to protect coastal communities. Despite early reforestation efforts and a renewed focus on the issue after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, numerous mangrove restoration projects in the Philippines have failed.

Goals and Methods

The goals of this paper are to examine successful mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines and determine how community participation contributes to their success. The authors seek to understand how integrating the transfer of science-based ecological knowledge (SEK) with existing local ecological knowledge (LEK) can facilitate long-term, community-based mangrove management beyond the duration of any given project. The authors employ a case study approach focusing on mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines. The methods include an examination of policy documents and project reports from various organizations and government agencies, supplemented by a literature search conducted on the Web of Science platform using specific keywords related to mangrove restoration and rehabilitation in the Philippines between 2000 and 2022.

Conclusions and Takeaways

The authors find that the transfer of SEK is crucial for initial project planning and implementation. However, to achieve long-term community-based mangrove management, communities must integrate SEK with LEK to form hybrid ecological knowledge (HEK), which empowers communities and fosters project ownership. The research also identifies continuous local institutional support as a necessary anchor for community resilience. The research highlights the roles of three key actors in successful projects: national NGOs, which transfer SEK and coordinate stakeholders; people's organizations, which participate in implementation and localize SEK; and the local government unit, which provides support and develops sustainable economic plans. The authors recommend capacity-building for these key actors, fostering community ownership by understanding local context, providing economic assistance to incentivize participation, and developing sustainable economic plans that benefit local communities.