Ecosystems

Research and

Development

Bureau

Mareca Domingo

2014-0393

Ecosystems Research and

Development Bureau

principal research and development (R &

D) unit of the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources (DENR)

Its R & D and extension activities are

focused on the five major ecosystems of

the Philippines which include forests,

upland farms, grassland and degraded

areas, coastal zone and freshwater, and

urban areas.

Created in June 1987 under ExecutiveOrder (EO) 192

merged the function of the former ForestResearch Institute (FORI) and the NationalMangrove Committee.

Its headquarters is located at theUniversity of the Philippines Los Baos,College of Forestry and Natural Resources(UPLB-CFNR

Ecosystems Research and

Development Bureau

VISION:

Excellence in research and development

on the environment and natural resources

to provide relevant technology andinformation through research towardssustainability and enhanced productivityof the natural resources and protection ofthe environment for the improvement ofthe quality of life of the Filipino people

MISSION:

MANDATE / FUNCTIONS:

Formulates and recommends integrated

research programs relating to Philippine

ecosystems and natural resources;

Assists the DENR Secretary in determining a

system of priorities for the allocation of

resources to various technological programs of

the Department;

Generates technologies and provides scientific

assistance in the R & D of technologies relevant

to sustainable use of Philippine ecosystems and

natural resources;

MANDATE / FUNCTIONS:

Provides technical assistance in theimplementation and monitoring of researchprograms;

Coordinates all technological resourcesundertaken by all regional research officesof the DENR; and

Assesses and translates all recommendablefindings into understandable language andpresentation and disseminates thesefindings to all users and clientele.

DIVISIONS:

1. Forest Ecosystem Research Division

Responsible for the implementation of

Research and Development (R & D)

projects/studies to generate vital

information and technologies for the

sustainable development, conservation,

protection and management of the natural

and plantation forests.

DIVISIONS:

A. Silvicultural Section

Formulates and implements research to

generate bio-ecological information and

technologies for the optimal development,

improvement and management of natural

and man-made forest.

1. Forest Ecosystem Research Division

B. Forest Protection SectionDevelops and implements researchprograms, project and studies dealing withthe protection of pine forests, dipterocarpforest, plantation forest and othersoftwood species against insect pests anddiseases.

C. Research Mensuration and Harvesting

Section

Formulates and implements researches andprojects and studies on growth and yieldprediction, economic rotation, determinationof cutting schedules, allowable cutdetermination, cut allocation and schedulingin both natural and man made forest.

1. Forest Ecosystem Research Division

D. Forest Protection SectionFormulates and implements researches todetermine the interactions among variousbio-geophysical factors and culturaltreatments on different hydrologicalparameters in order to improve wateryield, timing and water quality undervarious forest vegetation types.

E. Genetics and Tree Improvement Section

Formulates and conducts studies onthe genetic variability of major plantspecies and evolves standard forselection of superior genetic traits.

2. Grassland and Degraded Areas EcosystemsResearch Division

Implements R & D programs and projects gearedtowards the development of appropriate, effectiveand efficient rehabilitation strategies for grasslandsand degraded areas of the country utilizingecologically-sustainable, environmentally-sound andsocioeconomically acceptable R & D concepts. Italso generates research information, technologiestowards the production and wise utilization ofgrassland resources.

A. Grassland Hydrology SectionConducts researches for soil and waterconservation and valuation of differentgrassland uses affecting productivity anddegradation as watershed cover.

2. Grassland and Degraded Areas

Ecosystems Research Division

B. Land Rehabilitation SectionFormulates and implements effectiveapproaches in rehabilitating degradedareas, grassland critical watersheds andproviding cover to open lands and schemesto improve the low productivity status ofgrassland/degraded areas ecosystems.

C. Land Rehabilitation Section

Conducts scientifically-based grazing landstrategies towards increased grasslandproductivity, effective grazingmanagement and grassland protection.

3. Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division

Formulates, implements, and coordinates integrated

research and development programs appropriate

to the bio-physical, socio-political and cultural

conditions of the upland farms ecosystem. It

generates information that are relevant to the

management, utilization, sustainability of upland

resources and the improvement of the quality of life

of upland communities.A. Community Forestry Section

Conducts, implements, and coordinatesintegrated research and developmentprograms on community forestry, generatessocially acceptable, economically viable, andecologically sound community forestry strategiesand formulates policy recommendationsdesigned for wider application of suchstrategies.

3. Upland Farms Ecosystem Research

Division

B. Agroforestry and Upland Farming Systems

SectionConducts, implements, and coordinatesintegrated research and developmentprograms on agroforestry, develops and pilottests appropriate agroforestry technologies foradoption and provides technical assistance inthe evaluation, documentation, anddissemination of scientific agroforestrytechnologies through actual demonstration andother forms of dissemination to the various unitswithin the Bureau and other institutions.

3. Upland Farms Ecosystem Research

Division

C. Socioeconomics SectionConducts research and development projectson impact assessment/evaluation, socio-economics, marketing and valuation ofenvironmental and community, LGU-basednatural resources. It prepares comprehensiveprofiles of upland communities with focus on thedemographic, cultural, social, economic, andpolitical information for purposes of policy andprograms development and, provides extensionservices to clientele.

4. Coastal Zone and Freshwater EcosystemsResearch Division

Formulates and implements research anddevelopment programs to generate basicinformation and technologies for the properutilization, protection, rehabilitation andmanagement of mangrove forests and estuarineareas, inland and coastal wetlands, riverine, lenticand lotic freshwater resources with emphasis on theenhancement of the ecosystems that they comprise.The Division evaluates regional research programsand provides related technical assistance to variousclients on coastal and freshwater zones.

A. Mangrove and Estuarine Research SectionDevelops technologies for the properprotection, rehabilitation and managementof mangrove and estuarine areas as well asmethods for sustainable production ofmangrove resources.

4. Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosystems

Research Division

B. Inland Coastal Zone Research SectionDevelops technologies for the properutilization, production, rehabilitation andresource-use management of inland coastalzone to include the beach system and itsresources.

C. Lentic Freshwater Ecosystem Research

Section

Formulates programs and conducts research forthe conservation, rehabilitation and properutilization of lakes, natural and man-made pondsand water impounding areas, swamps and otherrelated standing water areas.

5. Technology Development Division

Takes charge of the technology transfer

activities of the ERDB.

A. Technology Documentation and Packaging

Section

packages research results for intended end users. Itpublishes results of research and verificationactivities in technical journals and otherpublications. It translates the technical informationfor IEC materials production and mass mediapromotion. It develops strategies for effectivetransfer and adoption of technologies andcoordinates, monitors, and evaluates technologytransfer activities in the regional offices.

5. Technology Development Division

B. Technology Verification and Utilization

Sectionverifies, compiles and classifies research results ofthe ERDB. It guides regional offices in verifyingtheir research results. It promotes technologies forthe sustainable use of the environment andnatural resources and monitors adoption of suchtechnologies for record purposes and furthertechnology transfer scheme development, ifnecessary.

ACTIVITIES/TECHNOLOGIES:

Agri-Nipa-Aquaculture System

Aquasilviculture System

Bamboo Propagation and Plantation Establishment

Production of DENR Charcoal Briquettes from Agroforestry Wastes

Vegetative Propagation of Dipterocarps Using the Nonmist System

Gugo Production and Plantation Management

Malapapaya Seed Technology

Medicinal Plant Propagation

Tissue Culture of Bagras