Gendered Perception of Forests Over Limestone Ecosystem Services and Conservation Actions in Guiuan Marine Reserve Protected Landscape and Seascape (GMRPLS), Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines

Conservation of forests over limestone (FOL), a unique and fragile ecosystem, is critical to ensure the sustainability of both nature and human communities in the vicinities. A survey was conducted to determine the gendered perception about the FOL, the importance of its ecosystem services, and conservation actions in Guiuan Marine Reserve Protected Landscape and Seascape (GMRPLS), Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines. About 541 men and women of barangays Pagnamitan, Ngolos, Baras, and Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar participated. Both men (3%) and women (2%) in GMRPLS were involved in the conservation of FOL, e.g., policymaking, awareness campaigns, tree planting, and other activities. Also, about 8% of women (W) and 7% of men (M) were interested in participating in conservation actions. The men and women in GMRPLS were slightly to very well familiar (M=92%, W=90%) and aware (M=94%, W=92%) of FOL. The men (96%) and women (94%) were also slightly to very well aware that the FOL is protected by law and managed by an agency. Also, the men and women considered the ecosystem services of FOL critical, e.g., protection against typhoons, water, fresh air, and wildlife habitat. Conservation actions such as conducting forest information dissemination, participating in conservation programs, planting seedlings, and enacting a localized biodiversity conservation strategy specific to FOL were recommended by the men and women in GMRPLS. Forest regulation and governance of all concerned are necessary to ensure the FOL's sustainability and the continued enjoyment of the communities of its ecosystem services. Moreover, the study suggests extension activities, e.g., information and education campaigns in these barangays, to increase their awareness and appreciation of FOL and encourage their engagement in FOL conservation

Agency (philosophy · Agroforestry · Biodiversity · Ecosystem · Ecosystem services · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Habitat · Marine protected area · Nature reserve · Seascape · Social science · Sociology · Sustainability · Wildlife · Wildlife conservation · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Environmental Science · Ecology

• Environmental Governance of Forests Over Limestone in Guiuan Marine Reserve Protected Landscape and Seascape (GMRPLS), Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines

  Open Access•Noba Hilvano, Inocencio E Buot et al.•Journal of Marine and Island…•2024

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