ON REFORESTATION

• How can one participate in the reforestation program?
  
  The government has various reforestation schemes in which an individual or corporation and communities including other government agencies and non-government organizations can participate. Simply coordinate with the local DENR office near your place.
  
  
• What assistance does the government provide to the citizens who want to undertake reforestation?
  
  1. Free seedlings in limited quantity
  2. Free technical assistance
  3. Free laboratory services on seed testing and soil analysis
  
  
• What are the commonly used species in plantation areas?
  
  The choice of species depends upon its suitability to the site and the purpose for which the plantation is established. But usually Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and Narra (Pterocarpus indicus), and fast growing species such as Bagras (Eucalyptus deglupta), Gmelina (Gmelina arborea), Acacia auriculaformis and Acacia mangium are most preferred.
  
  
• Where can we obtain good quality seeds?
  
  Tree seeds may be obtained from private seed collectors, from the field offices, from neighboring reforestation projects, or from own collection within reforestation project area.
  
  
• How many seedlings are required in one hectare plantation and what are the common spacings adopted?
  
  The number of seedlings required is computed by dividing 10,000 square meters by the spacing used plus a 20 per cent mortality allowance. The commonly used spacings in plantation establishment are 2 meters x 2 meters, 2 meters x 3 meters, 3 meters x 3 meters, and 4 meters x 4 meters. The number of seedlings required per hectare for the aforementioned spacings are: a) 3,000 seedlings (2m x 2m); b) 2,000 seedlings (2m x 3m); c) 1,333 seedlings (3m x 3m); d) 750 seedlings (4m x 4m). The denser and closer the spacing the more effective the established plantation in protecting the area against soil erosion. However, the choice of spacing also depends on the site suitability, purpose of plantation, and the species used.
  
  
• How many seeds are there per one kilogram or per one liter?
  
  Mahogany 2,264 seeds/kg or 416 seeds /liter
  Narra 1,794 pods/kg or 184 pods/liter
  Bagras 23,000,000 seeds/kg or 6,800,000 seeds/liter
  Acacia auriculiformis 49,500 seeds/kg
  Acacia mangium 130,353 seeds/kg
  Gmelina 1,995 seeds/kg
  
  
• What is the importance and purpose of soil survey?
  
  The importance and purpose of soil survey are the following:
  
  a. To determine the morphology of the soil
  b. To classify them according to their characteristics
  c. To show their distribution on the map
  d. To describe their characteristics, particularly with reference to the growth of various crops
  e. Basis for recommendation of crops/trees to be raised and soil amendment measures to be made
  
  
• Why is soil analysis important before planting?
  
  Soil analysis is important before planting to determine quantitatively and qualitatively the amount of nutrients available in the soil for plant growth and development.
  
  
• What are the nutrients in soil that are needed relatively large amount in plant growth?
  
  The nutrients needed are: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosporous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Sulfure.
  
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ON WATERSHED

• What is a Watershed?
  
  A watershed is a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface run-off (PD 705).
  
  
• What is critical watershed?
  
  Is a drainage area of a river system supporting existing and proposed hydroelectric power, irrigation works or existing water facilities needing immediate protection and rehabilitation.
  
  
• What are the criteria for the Selection of Priority Watershed for Development?
  
  a. primary source for drinking water
  
  b. supports irrigation system
  
  c. supports hydroelectric
  
  power generation
  
  d. contributes to the National Economy
  
  e. conserves biodiversity/historical importance
  
  f. requires protection and rehabilitation
  
  
• What is the watershed and ecosystems framework?
  
  This is an overarching framework in Environment and Natural Resources which considers the whole gamut of the physical landscape management from the headwaters in the mountains down to the coastal areas. It is a holistic approach because it considers all the various ecosystems (forest, upland, degraded, lowland/urban, and coastal and marine) in policy, planning, and program implementation. Moreover, it links land and water interventions and initiatives.
  
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ON NATIONAL CLONAL PROGRAM

• What is the thrust of DENR on Tree Improvement?
  
  The thrust of DENR on Tree Improvement is the National Clonal Forestry Program. It supports the NFP through the production of genetically improved seedlings of forest trees and other quality plant species.
  
  
• What is Cloning?
  
  Cloning is the process of duplicating any organism to produce individuals that are exact genetic copies of the original. A single desirable tree can duplicated a million times without limit, each individual duplicate being an exact copy of the original tree.
  
  
• What is the current target of the NCFP in terms of Clonal Nursery and seedling production?
  
  Each region shall establish at least one (1) clonal nursery and one (1) hedge garden and shall produce at least 200,000 seedlings for various tree species, of which 20% shall be produced through clonal propagation.
  
  
• What are the components of Clonal Forestry Nursery?
  
  a. Laboratory
  b. Rooting propagation house
  c. Recovery house/chamber
  d. Pot beds or hardening beds
  e. Potting area
  
  
• How is clonal propagation done?
  
  a. Through macro propagation
  (rooting - cutting - grafting - layering - marcotting and budding)
  
  b. Through micro propagation
  (tissue culture)
  
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ON COMMUNITY-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT (CBFM)

• What is CBFM?
  
  “People first and sustainable forestry will follow” sums up the concept of CBFM. The Government believes that by addressing the needs of local communities, they themselves will join hands to protect and manage the very source of their livelihood.
  
  CBFM goals include promoting:
  
  - Sustainable management of forest resources
  - Social justice and improved well-being of local communities
  - Strong partnership among local communities and the Department
  of Environment and Natural Resources.
  
  
• What is the scope of CBFM?
  
  CBFM applies to all areas classified as forest lands, including allowable zones within protected areas not covered by prior vested rights.
  
  The program integrates and unifies all people-oriented forestry activities of the Integrated Social Forestry program, Community Forestry Program, Coastal Environment Program, and Recognition of Ancestral Domains.
  
  
• What are the features of CBFM?
  
  - Security of Tenure. The Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) entitles forest communities to use and develop the forestland and resources for duration of 25 years.
  
  - Social Equity. Social justice is a basic principle underlying CBFM in granting forest communities and comprehensive rights to use and develop forest resources.
  
  - DENR and LGU Partnership. DENR and LGUs provide technical assistance to CBFM participants to help them attain sustainable forest management.
  
  - Investment Capital and Market Linkage. CBFM helps participants access investment capital, identify markets, and build marketing capabilities.
  
  
• Who can participate in CBFM?
  
  The principal participants of the program are local communities including indigenous people represented by their People’s Organization (POs) and traditional tribal councils whose members are:
  
  - Actually tilling portions of the area to be awarded, or
  - Traditionally using the resource for all or substantial portion of their livelihood, or
  - Residing in or adjacent to the areas to be awarded.
  
  
• What are the roles of DENR & LGUs?
  
  A strong DENR-LGU partnership is vital to the success of CBFM. DENR and LGUs, in active collaboration with other sectors, are working together to help strengthen local forest communities in managing forest resources.
  
  The DENR-LGU partnership in CBFM has resulted in substantial LGU financial support for forestland use planning, community organizing, technical training, and IEC.
  
  DENR and the LGU:
  
  - Identify potential CBFM sites, plan forest land uses with communities, and endorse and issue CBFMAs
  - Organize and prepare CBFM communities for a CBFMA
  - Provide technical assistance and skills training for CBFM communities
  - Monitor progress and environmental impact of CBFM activities
  
  
• What are the roles of POs?
  
  - Join DENR and the LGU in making a forest land use plan and prepare a Community Resources Management Framework (CRMF) including the POs Mission and Objectives
  
  - Represent the interest of their forest communities
  
  - Protect and maintain forest land entrusted to their stewardship
  
  
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