Biodiversity of the Cordilleras

By: Ma. Karla Marin Kiana Marie Cuya Lara Sophia Bernardo

 The Cordillera region in Philippines is home to a diversity of endemic and indigenous plant species. Forty-seven plants species belonging to 21 families were reported to be eaten as vegetables, utilizing mostly the tops or young shoots. Few made use of the fruits and flowers for food. Of the 21 families, a greater number, (19.15%), belonged to Asteraceae, followed by Solanaceae (10.64%), Amaranthaceae (8.51%), Brassicaceae (6.38%) and Passifloraceae (6.38%). Four plants species which are seemingly endemic are yet to be identified. Other than use as food, 51% of the indigenous vegetables surveyed have medicinal values as well.

Cordillera
Located within Benguet Highest and largest mountain range in the Philippines Comprises about 1/6 of Luzon island Population is about 2% of the Philippine Population Total area= 18, 300 square kilometers Home for a set of cultures Made up of 6 provinces and seven ethnolinguistic groups: -Kalinga (home of the Kalinga and Isneg) -Apayao (Isneg) -Abra (Tinggian) -Benguet (Kankanaey and Ibaloi) -Mountain Province (Kankanaey) -Ifugao (Ifugao)

Abra
A basin drained by the Tineg River Rimmed by mountains Forested province Yields a number of woods (acacia, mahogany) 18 % grassland Produces crops like corn, rice, banana, coffee and others Population-208, 000

Benguet
A plateau Mostly forested Inhabitants grow fruits, vegetables, coffee and cut flower Major producer of cold-weather vegetables Southernmost province of CAR Contains Baguio, the regions only city Population-572, 000

Ifugao
Mountainous as Mountain Province Rice is cultivated through terraces held by stone walls Coffee is the provinces leading commercial crop They also produce corn, bananas and a number of vegetables Its cut flower production is also expanding Population- 160, 000

Apayao
Forested Cut by clean rivers Stationary rice cultivation Produces corn, coffee, fruits, vegetables and livestock

Kalinga
Water system consists mostly of the Chico River People grow rice, corn, coffee, fruits, livestock, timber, rattan, and bamboo Population- 173, 000

Mountain Province
People practice agriculture They are also said to make violins of bamboo Undisturbed deposits of gold, copper and other construction materials can be found Population- 140, 000

 Biological Diversity is important to the people of the Cordilleras. It is at the heart of economic productivity and livelihood today. Its conservation and rational use are an absolute necessity to achieve sustainable development. The protection and maintenance of biodiversity is like an insurance policy for future generations.

The Struggle
The struggle of Apayao people is like a small voice in the wilderness They are living peacefully and contented on doing their traditional ways of taking good care of our nature. Suddenly, in 1975, logging companies invaded their lands. From 1975 to 1985, three Chinese logging companies logged the Apayao mountains where they bulldozed fertile lands, fruit trees and crops to give way to roads for logging trucks. And this led to a lot of human rights violation

Biological Diversity Conservation Strategies for Cordillera

Alternative Protected Areas System Public Awareness, Education and Participation Sustainable Use

Sources:
http://ecologicalequity.wordpress.com/themes /stories-of-right-stories-of-might/cordillerapeoples-struggle-for-life-land-and-resources/ http://www.actahort.org/books/752/752_95.ht m https://michaelbengwayan.wordpress.com/201 0/11/17/a-biodiversity-conservation-strategyfor-the-cordillera-region-philippines/