About 30 hectares of mangrove forest in Noveleta, Cavite is currently being assessed for the potential establishment of a science-based mangrove conservation and management site.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), through its Conservation and Development Division (CDD), together with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cavite, commenced with the assessment of the mangrove area in Brgy. San Rafael IV in the town of Noveleta last Oct. 12.
The fieldwork activities are expected to be completed in 13 days.
The activity is part of the partnership project of the DENR-CALABARZON, Forest Foundation Philippines, and Zoological Society of London to establish a mangrove conservation and management site in the area.
DENR-CALABARZON CDD chief Ramil Gutierrez said the “mangrove assessment in Noveleta, Cavite has the objective of determining its biodiversity components within its ecosystem in order to facilitate the science based approach in management protection and conservation of said area.”
This will be participated in by different stakeholders, including people’s organizations, non-government organizations, national government agencies, other government agencies, the academe, and the private sector.
He explained that the mangrove ecosystem in Brgy. San Rafael IV “can be devoted for rehabilitation, research, and even for eco-tourism agenda to benefit the present and future generations.”
The project site will cover the 30-hectare mangrove forest in Noveleta, as well an estimated 649.6-hectare adjoining site for future rehabilitation and management.
The assessment aims to identify areas of conservation and management, including areas of expansion, evaluate the established nursery site and species diversity, and determine possible threats to mangroves and site-potential livelihood for the community.
According to the DENR, the mangrove forest in Noveleta covers more than 80 hectares of saline swamp and mudflats, which is home to various coastal flora and fauna.
Based on the records of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, there are 18 types of mangrove species identified in the area such as Miyapi or Api-api (Avicennia alba), Kulasi (Lumnitzera racemosa), Bakawang Lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), Bakawang Babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Bakawang Bato (Rhizophora stylosa), Banalo (Thespesia populnea), Dampol (Glochidion littorale), Batikabra (Ipomoea pescaprae), Talisay (Terminalia catappa), Aroma (Acacia farnesiana), Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), Tangal (Ceriops tagal), Buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha), Ipil-ipil (Instia bijuga), Nipa (Nypa fruticans), Palaypay (Acrostichum aureum), Lagiwliw (Acanthus ilicifolius), and Maragomon (Brownlowia tersa).
Migratory birds, such as the Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Little egret (Egretta garzetta), Black-naped tern (Sterna sumatrana), Moorhen (Rallidae sp.), Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Great egret (Ardea alba), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), and Lesser sand plover (Charadrius mongolus) were also sighted in Brgy. San Rafael IV, Noveleta, Cavite, as shown in the 2016 report of the DENR-PENRO Cavite.