A free asynchronous course series on cave biodiversity was recently launched through the collaboration of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The series aims to enhance public knowledge and conservation efforts concerning the unique and diverse ecosystems found within CALABARZON’s cave ecosystems.
Specifically, the free course series was made possible by DOST-PCAARRD in partnership with the Niche Center for the Regions Research and Development Program on Center for Caves Ecosystems Research (NICER CAVES) of the UPLB Museum of Natural History (UPLB MNH).
This course series hosted by DOST-PCAARRD Advanced Learning Management System (PALMS) is designed to be fully accessible online, allowing participants of all ages across the country to learn at their own pace. Interested participants can visit and enroll through the PALMS website at palms.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph.
NICER CAVES program serves as a center for the research and development of cave biodiversity assessment and conservation. For over three years, NICER CAVES has conducted field assessments, published data, and provided trainings to local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs) within CALABARZON.
The course highlights cave conservation measures given the threat of human activities and environmental changes affecting the rich resources of the Philippines, which includes 3,000 cave systems teeming with unique species. As an overview, the course on cave biodiversity will cover six topics focusing on introduction to caves, cave flora and herbarium techniques, cave fauna, cave arthropods, cave microorganisms (fungi and bacteria), and cave protection and resources.
This wide array of topics will be taught by a pool of experts and curators from the UPLB MNH and the Department for Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which includes Ms. Marnelli S. Alviola, Dr. Rosemarie Laila Areglado, Ms. Maria Niña Rica T. Cantalejo, For. Jefferson G. Cruz, Dr. Loucel Cui, Dr. Anna Pauline O. de Guia, Dr. Marian P. de Leon, Dr. Aimee Lynn B. Dupo, Ms. Camille Faith D. Duran, Dr. Decibel F. Eslava, Mr. Orlando L. Eusebio, Dr. Ronilo Jose D. Flores, Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzales, Dr. Juan Miguel R. Guotana, For. Annalee S. Hadsall, Asst. Prof. Ivy Amor F. Lambio, Dr. Ireneo I. Lit, Jr., Mr. Christian C. Lucañas, Dr. Jenielyn T. Padrones, Ms. Maria Regina Regalado, Dr. Noel G. Sabino, For. Michelle A. San Pascual, and Mr. Lou Gene B. Sibal.
