Mangrove Management: Lessons and Experiences1

Eric D. Buduan2

The Forest Foundation Philippines (formerly known as Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation
Foundation) was established in 2002 through bilateral agreements between the government of
the Philippines and the Unites States of America. The Foundation is a grant-making organization
that provides financial and technical support to organizations and individuals that empower the
people to protect the forests. Since 2005, more than 450 projects were supported including
mangrove conservation projects. For 2017 to 2021, it employs sustainable forest landscape
approach as guided by its Results Framework in Sierra Madre, Palawan, Samar-Leyte and
Bukidnon-Misamis Oriental to attain the outcomes “Grow Forests, Grow Livelihoods, Grow
Partnerships and Grow Advocates.” As its core business, grants must directly contribute to
conserving and protecting forests, address the livelihoods of the communities, develop
partnerships with communities, civil society organizations and mandated government
institutions, and engage the younger generations especially the millennials to widen advocacies
on forest conservation.

With the number of mangrove conservation projects supported by the Foundation that were
implemented in various places in the country, experiences and lessons were generated to
enhance mangrove conservation efforts. These lessons hope to address the practice of planting
mostly Rhizophora species, direct planting of propagules, planting in inappropriate sites and low
survival of seedlings.

1. Science-based interventions
Mangrove conservation must be guided by science that considers the appropriate sites
and species. Areas naturally covered with mangroves must be the priority for restoration
while remaining mangroves must be protected. The tidal zone and substrate of the
restoration site must determine the species to be used for restoration. In areas where
Sonneratia species (e.g. Pagatpat) or Avicennia species (e.g. Miapi) dominates, planting
of Rhizophora species is discouraged as this shall have high
mortality. Mangrove areas converted to aquaculture ponds but are
now abandoned, undeveloped or underutilized must be reverted
back to mangroves. Moreover, non-mangrove seaward areas
especially the seagrass beds should not be planted. Mangrove
plantations in seaward areas are prone to mortality due to wave
actions, presence of debris and barnacle infestations. For
restoration of seaward mangrove areas with infestation of
barnacles, Sonneratia alba (Pagatpat) must be planted instead of Figure 1. Pagatpat showing
its shedding bark

1 Presentation during the 1st National State of Mangroves done in Citadines Bay City, Manila on October 9-11,
2019.
2 Senior Program Officer, Forest Foundation Philippines

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 Rhizophora (Bakawan). The Pagatpat can survive barnacle infestation due to the regular
shedding of its bark, resulting to natural removal of the barnacles.

Table 1 indicates the appropriate species for planting based on the location (zonation)
and substrate of the planting site as reference for mangrove restoration efforts.

Table 1. Site-species suitability.

Location/zonation Substrate Appropriate species
Downstream/estuaries muddy Sonneratia alba (Pagatpat)
Seaward muddy Sonneratia alba (Pagatpat)
Seaward sandy/coralline Avicennia, Rhizophora stylosa
Landward muddy Rhizophora
Upstream muddy Nipa

As a requisite for ensuring species-site suitability, there is need for mapping to determine
baselines information, determine priority areas for restoration and protection, and basis
for management planning and zoning. This shall also serve as reference for the
quantification of impacts after the project implementation.

2. Mangrove nursery management

Nurseries serve as production and nurturing area for seedlings prior to planting, ensuring
the production of the desired quality and required quantity, as well as ensuring availability
of the suitable species. Depending on the species, seedlings require at least 4 months in
the nursery prior to planting to meet the suitable size and quality of plantable seedlings.
The quality of the seedling significantly affects its survival and growth once planted in the
field. Nurseries are provided with nets or fence to protect the seedlings. The nursery can
be established in areas reached by tide water during high tide and protected from wave
action. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive watering. Small-sized fruits/seeds of
mangroves are initially propagated in seedbeds/seedboxes then transferred later to
containers/plastic bags, while bigger seeds and propagules
can be planted directly in the containers/plastic bags. If there
is limited area for land-based nurseries, floating nurseries can
also be established using bamboo poles as raft. In case of pest
infestation on the seedlings (especially crawling animals like
crabs and snails), the seedbeds/seedboxes and potted
Figure 2. Elevated potted seedlings seedlings can be elevated or raised.

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 Nurseries can also be developed as an enterprise of
the community/fisherfolk association, as
exemplified by the Lian Kingfisher Association in
Lumaniag, Lian, Batangas. The association produces
seedlings (mostly Avicennia) and sell at P 15/piece
(includes preparation of the planting site), to groups
interested on mangrove planting like students and
civic organizations. The income on the seedlings is
shared between the association and the Figure 3. Mangrove nursery in Lian, Batangas
members/owners of the seedlings.

3. Address economic needs

Any conservation effort must be linked to the economic needs of the people, especially
those directly dependent on the mangrove forest. Mangroves serves as nurseries,
breeding ground and habitat for fish, shells, shrimps and other resources that are being
collected or gleaned by fisherfolks as food or sold. Thus, efforts on conserving and
restoring the mangroves definitely impact on the economic conditions of the people.
However, while restoration and regeneration of mangroves are underway, support for
additional or alternative sources of income consistent with mangrove conservation are
needed such as fish and crab culture. The Foundation supported the culture of oyster
(talaba), fish (lapu-lapu) and mud
crab in Zamboanga Sibugay. Aside
from contributing to food
availability, these are now
contributing income to the
communities. Expansion and
replication to other coastal
communities are being done for
economies of scale and as incentive
for enhanced mangrove
conservation. Having direct impact
on the economic condition of the
people results to stronger concern Figure 4. Lapu-lapu culture in Kabasalan
and attitude to conservation.

Aside from contribution to economic development, mangrove conservation also

contributes to resiliency of the communities against natural calamities. A project in
Zambales exemplified how mangroves helped protect the communities from strong
waves and tidal surges, as compared to a concrete structure (sea wall).

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4. Biodiversity conservation
Mangroves are habitat of diverse flora and fauna. Restoration coupled with protection
efforts ensure the regeneration of mangrove biodiversity such as shrimps, fish, shells and
birds. In one of the mangrove conservation sites in
Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, the population of flying
foxes thriving in Kabog Island significantly increased
as the mangroves forests are protected. Aside from
habitat of biodiversity, the island is now an
ecotourism destination that provides additional
livelihood opportunities to the coastal communities. Figure 5. Flying foxes in mangrove forest

5. Community participation and stewardship

Community participation is crucial to ensuring
stewardship and sustainability of any mangrove
conservation effort; thus, communities must be
engaged as partners and not just project
beneficiaries. Communities directly depending on
the mangroves are exerting pressures on these
resources, but they are also the key to the
effective conservation of such resources. Thus,
mangrove conservation effort must include
community engagement, capacity building and
advocacies, to transform the people as stewards Figure 6. PO members planting Pagatpat seedlings
of the mangroves and other coastal resources.

6. Tenure and institutionalization

Crucial to any natural resource management is a tenure over the area. Partners of Forest
Foundation in Zamboanga Sibugay have mangrove co-management agreement with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Local Government Unit
(LGU), as legal basis for the mangrove conservation efforts. With the agreement, support
for coastal resources management where mangrove conservation is included, are
allocated in the LGU-Annual Investment Plan. This assures institutionalization and
sustainability of the mangrove conservation.

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7. Community-based resources monitoring and protection
Mangrove conservation is not just about
planting but must include sustained monitoring
and protection even beyond the project
duration. This is linked with community
participation and stewardship where
sustainability of monitoring and protection is
based. Project must ensure adequate capacities
of communities on monitoring and protection,
including provision of initial incentives, while
long-term support from mandated agencies are
being worked-out and the direct benefits from
the mangrove forest being conserved are yet to Figure 7. Bantay Dagat in action
realize. Existing volunteer Bantay Dagat are
tapped to monitor and protect not just the coastal areas but also the mangroves (existing
forest and restoration areas). Identified timber poachers were given opportunity and
incentive to transform and help in forest monitoring. There is designated area for
utilization and harvesting but needs permission and approval from the PO managing the
resources.

8. Alternative materials
Coastal communities mostly derive their material for houses, fish drying facilities, fish
cages and fish corral from the mangrove forest. These include fuelwood, poles, posts, and
roofing materials. With the increasing population in the coastal areas, demand for these
materials also increases. Without sustainable source and alternative materials, the
mangrove forest will continue to be threatened.
Bamboo is also a material for houses, cages, fish
corrals and fish drying facility and usually sourced
outside of the coastal communities. However, due to
declining quantities of naturally growing bamboo
stands and increasing remoteness on the sources of
these bamboo, the qualities and quantities are
declining while prices are increasing. Thus, to help
reduce dependency on the mangrove forest, and
ensure availability of alternative materials, bamboo
propagation and planting and woodlot
establishments are also supported by the projects.
Bamboo cuttings are planted along river banks or
intercropped with existing coconut farms, while
woodlots planted with fast growing tree species are Figure 8. Bamboo cuttings to be planted as
established in private lands (covered by agreement alternative material to mangroves

between land-owner and the PO).

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9. Partnerships and networking
The support of Forest Foundation is limited to forest conservation, thus, partnership with
other funding organizations are necessary to address other needs of the communities.
The implementation of projects funded by the Foundation and the success of the
mangrove conservation efforts enabled the partner PO (KGMC) to establish track record,
build network, linkages and partners. This enables them to partner with other
organizations (local and international) to address other PO/community concerns such as
education, health, enhancement and expansion of the enterprises, support for
infrastructure and continued capacity building.

10. Local champion, effective leadership

Likened to a boat where the success to reach the desired destinatio n greatly depends on
the skills and capacity of the boat captain to navigate not just calm waters but also
turbulent wind and waves that maybe encountered along the way, an organization needs
an effective leader. This is the key to the success of KGMC in Kabasalan, Zamboanga
Sibugay thru the leadership of Roberto Ballon. Mr. Ballon’s leadership and dedication to
mangroves, fishery and coastal resources management enabled the organization to attain
its present status, recognized through local and national awards. He is the local champion
for mangroves, fishery and coastal resources
management not just in Kabasalan but in Region 9
and even extending his knowledge, expertise and
passion to other coastal communities in the country.
He is also the chairperson of the Coalition of
Municipal Fisherfolks Association of Zamboanga
Sibugay (COMFAZ) – a federation of 34 coastal POs of
Sibuguey Bay. The experiences and success of KGMC
in Barangay Concepcion, Kabasalan are now
replicated and expanded in the whole Sibuguey Bay
composed of 8 municipalities. The Federation
enabled them have stronger voice and influence to
lobby support for enhancing coastal resource
management in the Bay with the LGUs, DENR, DA, Figure 9. Roberto Ballon - mangrove champion
BFAR and DILG.

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Project implementations involve innovations to adapt to the realities of field conditions. These
innovations significantly enhances mangrove conservation efforts not just in the project sites but
in other mangrove forests; the propagation of Pagatpat seeds which mangrove scientists and
researchers claimed as difficult to propagate ensures production and planting of appropriate
species; the use of coconut husk minimizes use of plastic bags; while the fabrication of PVC
paddle boat reduces the use of wood for boat construction and contributes to recycling.

1. Use of coconut-husk as rooting /potting medium

Consistent with the effort on nursery operations to
produce ready-to-plant seedlings, the use of
coconut husk as potting media was explored. This is
an alternative to plastic bags that are costly and not
environment-friendly. This was innovated by a
partner NGO (SIKAT) and its partner POs in Siargao,
Surigao del Norte. Similar to the principles of
marcotting, the coconut husks are wrapped around
the lower end of the propagule. The husk absorbs
water during watering (or during high tide if the
nursery is placed in areas reached by tide water) Figure 10. Coconut husk as potting medium
and retain the moisture needed for the
germination and survival of the propagule. The
seedlings produced are lighter and easier to transport compared to seedlings placed in
plastic bags with soil. Since the coconut husks are bio-degradable, the germinated
propagules are planted directly without disturbing the root system. This results to high
survival of the seedlings. The use of coconut husk was also tried for propagating Avicennia
seeds and proves feasible. However, the coconut husk needs to be trimmed to smaller
size as this tends to float when planted especially in areas exposed to waves.

2. Propagation of Pagatpat
Species suitability is a crucial factor in the survival and growth of seedlings. However, in
most mangrove reforestation projects, only the Rhizophora species are being planted and
mostly through direct planting of the propagules. The planting of Rhizophora in
inappropriate sites results to low survival and leads to
monoculture. One of the causes of mortality is the
infestation of barnacles on the planted seedlings. The
planting of species naturally growing in the area is constraint
by the availability of seedlings attributed to lack of
knowledge on the propagation. Small seeded mangrove
species such as Pagatpat and Avicennia requires
propagation to produce seedlings. Thus, the seed
propagation for Pagatpat was developed by PTFCF and
KGMC in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay. This propagation
technique resulted to mass production of Pagatpat
seedlings that are planted in appropriate sites, significantly Figure 11. Pagatpat propagation brochure

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 contributing to successful mangrove restoration in Zamboanga Sibugay. The propagation
technique is already disseminated thru training, learning visits, presentation in mangrove
fora/conferences, sharing in the internet and the printing/distribution of the brochure,
not just to partners and networks of the Foundation but to broader stakeholders of
mangrove conservation.

3. Fabrication of PVC paddle boat

As an alternative to wood, the use of PVC
drums for the fabrication of paddle boats
were also done in Siargao. The fabricated
boats are lighter compared to wooden
paddle boats, the production cost is
lower and the boat floats better and can
be used even in shallow water. These
boats are now widely used in Del Carmen
and San Benito, Siargao, Surigao del
Norte and also introduced in Busuanga,
Palawan. This innovation reduces the use
of wood for paddle boat construction and contributes to recycling efforts. It is ideal for
navigation in mangrove forest or rivers where the water is relatively calm but not
recommended for open sea where there are waves.

The lessons and innovations discussed above contributed to the achievement of mangrove
conservation efforts of the Forest Foundation and its partner organizations. However, the threat
and challenges to mangrove conservation still persist, requiring broader interventions and more
awareness and capacity building activities. The impacts of climate change are now felt, affecting
not just the lives and properties of people but also the natural environment.

a) Siltation
Mangroves helps in addressing siltation as the
root system helps in trapping sediments and
sediment flow is crucial to mangrove survival.
However, if the siltation exceeds the
adaptation capacity of the mangroves, the
mangroves will be eventually affected that
may result to death. Prone to the destructive
impact of siltation are those mangroves in the
estuaries and the aqua-culture enterprises of
the PO. The conversion of forest to agriculture
and the lack of soil and water conservation Figure 12. Siltation in mangroves and estuaries
interventions in the uplands significantly
contribute to soil erosion and siltation. Hence, forest conservation and sustainable
farming must be promoted in the upland to complement mangrove conservation.

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b) Increasing population
The more mouth to feed, the
greater the pressure on natural
resources. This is the direct
correlation of increasing
population to natural resources
management. In Barangay
Concepcion, Kabasalan,
Zamboanga Sibugay, the
improvement of mangrove forest
resulted to increased population
of fish, shells and shrimps, thereby
improving catch per unit effort.
Fisherfolks need not to go fishing Figure 13. Concepcion, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay
in the offshore but just in nearshore
areas, reducing exposures to risk from sea turbulence and pirate attacks. However, said
improved catch also serves as magnet for former residents of the barangay, who migrated
to other places in search of better livelihood, to return and re-establish residency. These
returning residents including new settlers in the area poses additional pressures on the
recovering natural resources, that may eventually impact on the carrying capacity of the
mangroves and coastal resources.

c) Planting for publicity

Tree planting is mostly the default activity when dealing about environment or
conservation. Moreso, there are a number of grand and much-publicize tree planting
activities aiming for international records/recognition but are ineffective and
unsuccessful. Such planting for publicity, if unavoidable, must be properly designed to
contribute to conservation and not a waste of resources (especially money). Planting
must be complemented by maintenance and protection for at least 3 years, and not just
posts in social media and news items for publicity.

d) Natural calamities
Natural calamities such as typhoons are
predicted to be lesser in numbers but
stronger in intensities as an effect of climate
change. Mangroves protects the landward
areas from strong winds and waves, but suffer
the brunt of these calamities. The impact of
Super Typhoon Yolanda in Samar and Leyte
shows how mangroves reduces the damage
to coastal communities, but also shows how
the mangroves are significantly affected by Figure 14. Impact of Super Typhoon Yolanda on
the calamity. The resiliency of Pagatpat are mangrove forest in Samar
clearly manifested in the Yolanda affected mangroves.