A program funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), when completed, is expected to establish a long-term ecological based monitoring and detection system.
Known as the Monitoring and Detection of Ecosystems Changes for Enhancing Resilience and Adaptation in the Philippines (MODECERA), the program will assess and monitor various components of an ecosystem in selected watersheds. These components include watershed functions, biodiversity, agroforestry, grassland, soil erosion, socio-economics, pest & diseases, and responses & productivity of agricultural crops. The program aims to increase resilience and adaptive capacity of agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources sectors by determining the effects of different stressors to the crops and ecosystems.
Geared towards this goal, MODECERA project leaders convened recently at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Research and Development Center to assess each of the project’s target outputs and accomplishments.
The venue also gave way to the sharing of learnings and experiences from the program during its first year.
The meeting was followed by a site visit and evaluation in a project site in Jayobo, Lambunao.
Dr. Engelbert R. Lalican, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Climate Change of the Forestry and Environment Research Division-PCAARRD (FERD) and in-charge of monitoring the MODECERA program, led the activities.
The MODECERA Program is spearheaded by its Program Leader, Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Other partners are from the seven SUCs: WVSU, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Romblon State University (RSU), Western Philippines University (WPU), Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST), University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), and Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT).