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Component 4:
Forest Land Use Planning
and REDD+ Implementation in Selected Areas
PN 12.9022.0-001.00 / VN 81162755
August 2016
Ralph LENNERTZ
TABLE OF CONTENT
TABLES ................................................................................................................................ iv
FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... v
ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................... vi
9. REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 69
ANNEXES
TABLES
Table 1: IPCC Tier 1 Soil Organic Matter stocks of the Davao Oriental soil
classes ........................................................................................................ 8
Table 2: 2010 forest strata areas inventoried .......................................................... 10
Table 3: Overview of plot sizes and observations / measurements made on
live trees1 and dead wood ......................................................................... 15
Table 4: Time and costs the FRA field work in Davao Oriental ................................ 35
Table 5: Deviation of initial from control measurements .......................................... 38
Table 6: Deviation of encoded from field data ......................................................... 38
Table 7: Relative frequency, density and dominance, importance and rank of
the 20 most "important" species in Closed Forests.................................... 40
Table 8: Threatened species in Closed Forests ...................................................... 41
Table 9: Relative frequency, density and dominance, importance and rank of
the 20 most "important" species in Open Forests ...................................... 42
Table 10: Threatened species in Open Forests ........................................................ 43
Table 11: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Closed Forests ...... 44
Table 12: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Open Forests ........ 46
Table 13: Stand structure in terms of N/ha of Closed Forests ................................... 48
Table 14: Stand structure in terms of G/ha of Closed Forests ................................... 50
Table 15: Stand structure in terms of AGB/ha of Closed Forests .............................. 52
Table 16: Stand structure in terms of N/ha of Open Forests ..................................... 54
Table 17: Stand structure in terms of G/ha of Open Forests ..................................... 56
Table 18: Stand structure in terms of AGB/ha of Open Forests................................. 58
Table 19: Merchantable volume in Closed Forests ................................................... 60
Table 20: Merchantable volume in Open Forests ...................................................... 62
Table 21: Carbon stocks of Closed Forests .............................................................. 64
Table 22: Carbon stocks of Open Forests ................................................................. 65
Table 23: Statistical sampling errors of the main variables of interest in Closed
and Open Forests ..................................................................................... 66
Table 24: Overall error budget for V/ha ..................................................................... 68
Table 25: Overall error budget for AGB/ha ................................................................ 68
FIGURES
Figure 1: 2010 NAMRIA land cover of Caraga, Manay and Tarragona....................... 7
Figure 2: 2013 BSWM FAO soil classes of Davao Oriental ........................................ 9
Figure 3: Distribution of the Sampling Units effectively (re-)measured in
Caraga, Manay and Tarragona ................................................................. 12
Figure 4: Configuration of the sampling unit (cluster) ............................................... 13
Figure 5: Apple Map ................................................................................................. 21
Figure 6: Open Cycle Map with "Outdoors" base layer ............................................. 22
Figure 7: Re-location of inaccessible "satellites" ...................................................... 23
Figure 8: Measurements on lying dead wood sections ............................................. 28
Figure 9: DBH / DAB measurements........................................................................ 30
Figure 10: Diameter estimates for inaccessible measurement points ......................... 31
Figure 11: N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha by number of species in Closed
Forests ...................................................................................................... 41
Figure 12: N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha by number of species in Open Forests....... 43
Figure 13: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Closed Forests ...... 45
Figure 14: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Open Forests ........ 47
Figure 15: Stand structure in terms of N/ha of Closed Forests ................................... 49
Figure 16: Stand structure in terms of G/ha of Closed Forests ................................... 51
Figure 17: AGB/ha of Closed Forests by DBH / DAB threshold .................................. 52
Figure 18: Stand structure in terms of AGB/ha of Closed Forests .............................. 53
Figure 19: Stand structure in terms of N/ha of Open Forests ..................................... 55
Figure 20: Stand structure in terms of G/ha of Open Forests ..................................... 57
Figure 21: AGB/ha of Open Forests by DBH / DAB threshold .................................... 58
Figure 22: Stand structure in terms of AGB/ha of Open Forests................................. 59
Figure 23: Merchantable volume in Closed Forests ................................................... 61
Figure 24: Merchantable volume in Open Forests ...................................................... 63
Figure 25: Carbon stocks of Closed Forests .............................................................. 64
Figure 26: Carbon stocks of Open Forests ................................................................. 65
ACRONYMS
AD Ancestral Domain
AFOLU Agriculture, Forest and Other Land Use
AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines
AGB Above-Ground Biomass
ALOS Advanced Land Observing Satellite
a.s.l. above sea level
AVNIR Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer
BCEF Biomass Conversion and Expansion Factor
BGB Below-Ground Biomass
BMUB Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit
(Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and
Nuclear Safety)
BSWM Bureau of Soils and Water Management
C Carbon
CADT Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title
CBFM Community-Based Forest Management
CBFMA Community-Based Forest Management Agreement
CCC Climate Change Commission
CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resources Office(r)
CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan
CMA Co-Management Agreement
DAB Diameter Above Buttress
DBH Diameter at Breast Height
DEM Digital Elevation Model
DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DFS Deutsche Forstservice GmbH
DOM Dead Organic Matter
DOSCST Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology
Dref Reference Diameter
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FLUP Forest Land Use Planning
FMB Forest Management Bureau
FRA Forest Resources Assessment
FREL Forest Reference Emissions Level
FRL Forest Reference Level
GADM Global Administrative Areas
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GIS Geographic Information System
GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH
GPG Good Practice Guidance
GPS Global Positioning System
HWSD Harmonized World Soil Database
ICC Indigenous Cultural Communities
IP Indigenous People
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The present report describes the methodology and the results of the Forest Resources
Assessment (FRA) conducted from 03 August 2015 until 14 March 2016 in the sites of the
National REDD+ System Philippines Project in Davao Oriental selected for Forest Land Use
Planning (FLUP) and the implementation of REDD+ eligible activities (Caraga, Manay and
Tarragona).
The methodology used is a refinement of the forest carbon baseline study carried out from
2011 to 2012 in Leyte in the framework of the Climate relevant Modernization of Forest
Policy and Piloting of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
(REDD) Project. It takes into account evolving international standards and good practices
with regards to forest carbon stock assessment for the estimation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions and removals in compliance with the latest (2006) Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for national GHG inventories.
The FRA pursued the objectives of providing for the forests of the selected Project sites
(i) stand and stock data estimates reflecting the forest resources conditions as well as
(ii) carbon stock estimates for the key carbon pools:
Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) at Tier 3 level;
Below-Ground tree Biomass (BGB) at Tier 1 level;
Dead Organic Matter (DOM) at Tier 3 level;
Soil Organic Matter (SOM) at Tier 1 level;
of key forest strata according to the 2010 forest cover map prepared by the National Mapping
and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).
In the open and closed forests of Caraga, Manay and Tarragona, 44 plus 37 Sampling Units
(SUs) have been retrieved in the field, permanently marked and measured. The inventory
has sampled and identified 198 different species with a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) /
Diameter Above Buttress (DAB) ≥ 5.0 cm. The total forest carbon stock is estimated to
amount to 7.26 million t C (on average 334 t C/ha) in closed forests, and to 3.89 million
t C/ha (223 t C/ha) in open forests.
Considering the variability of the prevailing natural, cultural and institutional conditions
throughout the Philippines, 3 replications (Project field sites) were deemed necessary to
validate lessons learned in the field from activities contributing to the up-scaling of the
implementation of the PNRPS. Following the geographical division into major island groups,
one replication each is implemented in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.
Cities / Municipalities as territorial / jurisdictional units for FLUPs and Comprehensive Land
Use Plans (CLUPs) were selected applying criteria regarding (i) forests and threats,
(ii) priority watersheds, (iii) biodiversity conservation, (iv) poverty, (v) logistics,
(vi) replicability, (vii) preparedness and commitment of the LGUs, and (viii) for one site at
least priority areas of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP). The following
sites were retained:
in Albay (Luzon) the Municipalities of Ligao City and Oas;
in Eastern Samar (Visayas) the Municipalities of Borongan City and Maydolong; and
in Davao Oriental (Mindanao) the Municipalities of Caraga, Manay and Tarragona.
It is in support of the elaboration and pilot testing of FR(E)Ls and the MRV system that FRAs
were carried out in Eastern Samar and Davao Oriental.
The "Stock Difference Method" is robust and transparent, particularly to monitor carbon stock
changes from forest degradation, which, in the Philippines, is a GHG emission source key
category (category "3 B 1 a Forest Land Remaining Forest Land") with a presumably higher
emission level than deforestation (sub-category "3 B 2 b i Forest Land Converted to
Cropland").
The "Stock Difference Method" requires two estimations: (i) forest area (preferably by strata
that are correlated to carbon stocks) and (ii) carbon stock per unit area of forest.
The forest area by strata has been mapped nationwide by the National Mapping and
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), through visual classification of medium- to high-
resolution multi spectral satellite data (116 ALOS AVNIR-2, 40 SPOT 5 and 29 LANDSAT 7
gap-filled Scan Line Corrector [SLC] off scenes covering the national territory) acquired
mainly 2010. A new wall-to-wall mapping assessing the 2015 land cover is under way. The
results, however, won't be available before 2017.
Carbon stock per unit area of forest for the different strata must be determined using
appropriate probabilistic (statistical) field sampling inventory methods. The adopted inventory
methodology is a refinement of the forest carbon baseline study carried out from mid-2011
until end 2012 in Leyte in the framework of the BMUB funded, GIZ-assisted Climate relevant
Modernization of Forest Policy and Piloting of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation (REDD) Project (SCHADE J. and R. LUDWIG, 2013), building on the
experience gained during this inventory, and taking into account evolving international
standards and good practices (see Chapter 9).
In addition, the FRA shall also furnish forest carbon stock estimates for
key carbon pools (with definitions according to the 2006 IPCC guidelines for national
GHG inventories)
o Living Biomass (LB), composed of
- Above-Ground Biomass (AGB), defined as follows: "All biomass of living
vegetation, both woody and herbaceous, above the soil including stems,
stumps, branches, bark, seeds, and foliage. In cases where forest
understory is a relatively small component of the above-ground biomass
carbon pool, it is acceptable for the methodologies and associated data
used in some tiers to exclude it, provided the tiers are used in a consistent
manner throughout the inventory time series."
- Below-Ground tree Biomass (BGB), defined as follows: "All biomass of live
roots. Fine roots of less than (suggested) 2 mm diameter are often
excluded because these often cannot be distinguished empirically from soil
organic matter or litter."; and
o Dead Organic Matter (DOM), composed of
- Dead Wood (DW), defined as follows: "Includes all non-living woody
biomass not contained in the litter, either standing, lying on the ground, or
in the soil. Dead wood includes wood lying on the surface, dead roots, and
stumps, larger than or equal to 10 cm in diameter (or the diameter specified
by the country)." (for the forest resources assessments in the "National
REDD+ System Philippines" Project sites, the inventory threshold /
minimum diameter for dead wood is set to 5.0 cm), and
- Litter (LI), defined as follows: "Includes all non-living biomass with a size
greater than the limit for soil organic matter (suggested 2 mm) and less
than the minimum diameter chosen for dead wood (e.g. 10 cm), lying dead,
in various states of decomposition above or within the mineral or organic
soil. This includes the litter layer as usually defined in soil typologies. Live
fine roots above the mineral or organic soil (of less than the minimum
diameter limit chosen for below-ground biomass) are included in litter
where they cannot be distinguished from it empirically." (for the forest
resources assessments in the "National REDD+ System Philippines"
Project sites, the inventory threshold / minimum diameter for dead wood is
set to 5.0 cm);
if applicable disaggregated by species and diameter classes;
of key forest strata according to the 2010 forest cover map prepared by the National
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), distinguishing:
o Closed Forests (forests with a tree crown cover of more than 40%) and
o Open Forests (forests with a tree crown cover of more than 10% up to 40%);
at T0 (prior to the implementation of REDD+ eligible activities);
using permanent Sampling Units in view of the implementation of the "Stock Difference
Method" for determining GHG emissions and removals.
Considering that more than 96% of the AGB biomass of tropical forest is found in trees with a
Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) / Diameter Above Buttress (DAB) ≥ 10.0 cm (GILLESPIE A.
et al., 1992; in the Philippines, LASCO et al., 2006, report from Surigao del Sur 98% of the
AGB in trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 19.5 cm), the biomass of trees with a DBH / DAB < 5.0 cm
and the non-tree biomass (except for bamboos and palms, which are also included in the
Philippine forest definition, cf. Chapter 2.1) is not key and have not be included in the FRA /
forest carbon stock estimates.
BGB is not estimated directly, but calculated using the IPCC Tier 1 BGB to AGB ratio (R).
IPCC Tier 1 data are also be used to account for Soil Organic Matter (SOM) (IPCC, 2006:
IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories - AFOLU: Table 2.3), defined as follows:
"Includes organic carbon in mineral soils to a specified depth chosen by the country and
applied consistently through the time series. Live and dead fine roots and DOM within the
soil, that are less than the minimum diameter limit (suggested 2 mm) for roots and DOM, are
included with soil organic matter where they cannot be distinguished from it empirically. The
default for soil depth is 30 cm.".
2. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
2.1 Forest Definition
DENR Memorandum Circular 2005-005 of 26 May 2005 defines forests as "Land with an
area of more than 0.5 hectare and tree crown (or equivalent stocking level) of more than
10 percent. The trees should be able to reach a minimum height of 5 meters at maturity in
situ. It consists either of closed forest formations where trees of various storeys and
undergrowth cover a high portion of the ground or open forest formations with a continuous
vegetation cover in which tree crown cover exceeds 10 percent. Young natural stands and all
plantations established for forestry purposes, which have yet to reach a crown density of
more than 10 percent or tree height of 5 meters are included under forest. These are
normally forming part of the forest area which are temporarily unstocked as a result of human
intervention or natural causes but which are expected to revert to forest. It includes forest
nurseries and seed orchards that constitute an integral part of the forest; forest roads,
cleared tracts, firebreaks and other small open areas; forest within protected areas;
windbreaks and shelter belts of trees with an area of more than 0.5 hectare and width of
more than 20 meters; plantation primarily used for forestry purposes, including rubber wood
plantations. It also includes bamboo, palm and fern formations (except coconut and oil
palm)."
Tree plantations have not been mapped as a separate class, since the satellite data did not
warrant their comprehensive and systematic identification. The documentation of the
classification and its accuracy (confusion matrix) has not been published yet.
Figure 1 shows an excerpt from this map, clipped to the Project sites (Caraga, Manay and
Tarragona) in Davao Oriental.
For species not found in any of the above cited sources, the average Wood Specific Gravity
for tropical tree species in Asia of 0.57 g/cm³ published by S. BROWN (FAO, 1997:
Estimating biomass and biomass change of tropical forests - A primer: Chapter 3.1.1) has
been used.
Appendix 1 provides a list of the species recorded by the inventory with the corresponding
values of p.
Table 1: IPCC Tier 1 Soil Organic Matter stocks of the Davao Oriental soil classes
Climate region FAO soil class Soil SOM
Tropical, wet Orthic Acrisol Low Activity Clay 60 t C/ha
Tropical, wet Orthic Luvisol High Activity Clay 44 t C/ha
Tropical, wet Vertic Luvisol High Activity Clay 44 t C/ha
Tropical, montane Orthic Acrisol Low Activity Clay 63 t C/ha
Tropical, montane Orthic Luvisol High Activity Clay 88 t C/ha
Tropical, montane Vertic Luvisol High Activity Clay 88 t C/ha
3. INVENTORY DESIGN
3.1 Inventory Method
The inventory adopted a stratified probabilistic (statistical) sampling. Conceptionally, the
population from which the sample is drawn is not the biological population of trees1.
Sampling is rather considered to be based on the selection of Sample Points, each with
observations and measurements of single tree1-, stand- and site- variables of interest derived
from associated Sampling Units (SUs, see Chapter 3.6). Since Sample Points are
dimensionless, the population is infinite even in a limited area of interest ("infinite population
approach"). Hence, the sampling frame required by the statistical theory cannot be defined
through a list of all elements that can be drawn during sampling, but rather through the area
(areal sampling frame) to be covered.
For live trees1 and dead wood, the inventory threshold consistently amounts to 5.0 cm (in
diameter).
Since the inventory could be implemented before the start of the REDD+ eligible field
activities, the 50 Sampling Units outside the Municipalities with Project field activities were no
longer needed. This was fortunate, since the available budget and time was barely sufficient
to effectively measure 81 Sampling Units in the Municipalities with Project field activities.
Figure 3 shows the grid and the distribution of the 81 effectively measured SUs in Caraga,
Manay and Tarragona. Appendix 2 provides the list of these SUs with their Universal
Transverse Mercator (UTM) and World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 geographic coordinates.
Figure 3: Distribution of the Sampling Units effectively (re-)measured in Caraga, Manay and Tarragona
On average, 9.3 trees1 were sampled in each satellite, which comes close to the commonly
recommended range of 12 to 20 trees in uneven-aged forests reputed to offer the best
compromise in terms of sampling efficiency, considering the ratio between the "unproductive"
time invested in retrieving SUs and the "productive" time measuring them.
Statistically, one cluster constitutes one Sampling Unit. For the computation of the results per
ha, the following blow-up factors are applicable:
parameters measured in the 10 m radius plots: 10 000 / (4 × π × 102 ) = 7.9577;
parameters measured in the 5 m radius plots: 10 000 / (4 × π × 52 ) = 31.8310.
The Sampling Units were marked permanently to be prepared for their periodic re-
measurement.
The following variables of interest were assessed within a radius of 25 m horizontal distance
around the Sample Points:
Land cover: 12 classes (forest; marshland / swamp; fallow; shrubs; wooded grassland;
grassland; annual crop; perennial crop; open / barren land; built-up area; fishpond;
inland water).
Forest type: 10 types (dipterocarp old growth forest; dipterocarp residual forest; mossy
forest; submarginal forest; closed pine forest; open pine forest; mangrove of growth
forest; mangrove reproduction forest; native tree plantation forest; other plantation
forest).
Tree crown cover: 3 classes (tree crown cover ≤ 10%; 10% < tree crown cover ≤ 40%);
tree crown cover > 40%).
The following variables of interest are observed / measured within a radius of 5 m horizontal
distance around the Satellite Centers:
Plant diversity.
Ground coverage classes for six (6) vegetation layers according to height (< 50 cm;
50 cm ≤ height < 130 cm; 130 cm ≤ height < 200 cm; 2.0 m ≤ height < 4.0 m; 4.0 m ≤
height < 10.0 m; height > 10.0 m): 4 classes (none; coverage ≤ 10%; 10% < coverage
≤ 50%; coverage > 50%).
For each of the sampled "small-sized" live trees1 with 5 cm ≤ DBH / DAB < 20 cm:
species, azimuth and horizontal distance (from the Satellite Center), and DBH / DAB.
For each of the sampled standing dead wood (including stumps) with DBH /
DAB ≥ 5.0 cm: species, azimuth and horizontal distance (from the Satellite Center),
DBH / DAB and merchantable height.
For each of the sampled lying dead wood sections (those portions that are within the
5 m horizontal distance radius plot) down to a diameter of 5.0 cm: mid-diameter and
length.
Litter: ground coverage percentage plus average depth.
The following variables of interest are observed / measured within a radius of 10 m horizontal
distance around the Satellite Centers:
Land cover: 12 classes (forest; marshland / swamp; fallow; shrubs; wooded grassland;
grassland; annual crop; perennial crop; open / barren land; built-up area; fishpond;
inland water).
Forest type: 10 types (dipterocarp old growth forest; dipterocarp residual forest; mossy
forest; submarginal forest; closed pine forest; open pine forest; mangrove of growth
forest; mangrove reproduction forest; native tree plantation forest; other plantation
forest).
Tree crown cover: 3 classes (tree crown cover ≤ 10%; 10% < tree crown cover ≤ 40%);
tree crown cover > 40%).
For each of the sampled "big-sized" live trees1 with DBH / DAB ≥ 20.0 cm: species,
azimuth and horizontal distance (from the Satellite Center), DBH / DAB and
merchantable height.
Table 3 summarizes the circular plot sizes and the observations / measurements made on
live trees1 and dead wood.
non-dipterocarps,
𝑉 = 0.00004961 × 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑓 2 × 𝐻 Eastern Mindanao
Equation {2}
with
V merchantable volume inside bark of Standing Dead Wood, in m³
Dref diameter at breast height (1.30 m) or above buttress (30 cm) of Standing
Dead Wood, in cm
H merchantable height of Standing Dead Wood, in m
Stratum variances
𝑛𝑗 𝑛𝑗 2
2
∑𝑖=1 𝑦𝑖𝑗 − (∑𝑖=1 𝑦𝑖𝑗 ) / 𝑛𝑗
𝑠𝑗2 = Equation {17}
𝑛𝑗 −1
Total mean
𝑛𝑗
𝑦̅ = ∑𝑀
𝑗=1 𝑛
× 𝑦̅𝑗 Equation {20}
Total variance
𝑛𝑗
𝑠 2 = ∑𝑀
𝑗=1 × 𝑠𝑗2 Equation {21}
𝑛
Total standard error
1 2
𝑆 = √ × (∑𝑀
𝑗=1 𝑃𝑗 × 𝑠𝑗 )
Equation {22}
𝑛
with
o 𝑦𝑖𝑗 variable (such as number of trees per ha, basal area per ha, volume per ha,
biomass per ha, etc.) of sampling unit i in stratum j;
o 𝑦̅𝑗 arithmetic mean of variable 𝑦 in stratum j;
o 𝑦̅ total arithmetic mean of variable 𝑦;
o 𝑠𝑗2 variance of variable 𝑦 in stratum j;
o 𝑠2 total variance of variable 𝑦;
o 𝑆𝑗 standard error of the mean of variable 𝑦 in stratum j;
o 𝑆 total standard error of the mean of variable 𝑦;
o 𝐸𝑗 margin of error of the mean of variable 𝑦 in stratum j;
o 𝐸 total margin of error of variable 𝑦;
o 𝑀 number of strata;
o 𝑛𝑗 number of sampling units in stratum j;
o 𝑡𝑗 two-tailed Student t-value with 𝑛𝑗 degrees of freedom in stratum j;
o 𝑛 total number of sampling units;
o 𝑃𝑗 weight of stratum j.
4. FIELD IMPLEMENTATION
4.1 Retrieval and Permanent Marking of Sampling Units
4.1.1 Approach of Sample Points using GPS receivers
The Sample Points were accessed / retrieved on the basis of their geographic coordinates
using handheld GPS stand-alone receivers. The Sample Points were uploaded from a
computer as "Points of Interest (POIs)" rather than as "waypoints", using the "GARMIN POI
loader" software (freeware downloadable from http://www8.garmin.com/support/
mappingsw.jsp). "POIs" offer the advantage that unlike "waypoints", they cannot be edited
nor erased from the GPS receivers (unless connected to a computer and with the use of the
aforementioned software).
Good sources of information to study the approach of Sample Points are the following:
Satellite images in Google Maps (http://www.google.com/maps), Bing Maps
(http://www.bing.com/maps) and Apple Maps (only available on Apple Mac OS and
iPhone / iPad iOS operating systems), particularly where high resolution satellite data
are available (see Figure 5), which was not the case for most of the upland areas in
Davao Oriental; however, the images are regularly updated, and it is worthwhile to
compare the different sources for best results;
Topographic maps in Open Cycle Map (http://www.opencyclemap.org) showing the
"Outdoors" base layer, which is particularly useful for the appreciation of the relief (see
Figure 6).
As much as possible, the approach of a targeted Sample Point was studied together with
local helpers / guides, who are well versed with the terrain, existing trails, unsurmountable
barriers and/or obstacles such as steep hills or waterlogged areas to be avoided.
Vicinities of SU No. DAOM0062, Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona; the activities of the Oro East Mining Inc. are
visible near the lower right corner
Figure 5: Apple Map
4.1.2 Location of Sample Points and Satellite Centers using compass and
distance tape or laser rangefinder
Considering the limited positional precision of stand-alone GPS measurements / navigation
(in practice ± 10 m, as evidenced by the virtual movement of an immobilized GPS receiver,
which is a remarkable precision to come close to any point on the globe from whatever origin
over considerable distances, but insufficient to measure distances of less than 100 m to
200 m, since the relative precision deteriorates to 10% - 5%), the location of Sample Points
was determined covering the last 10 m to 15 m by compass and horizontal distance
measurement (referring to the azimuth / bearing and distance to the Sample Point displayed
by the GPS receiver once the distance to the destination was less than 15 m) using a
distance tape or a ranging laser, in order to prevent bias (preference for easily accessible
areas) when closing in on the Sample Point. The same applied to the location of the four (4)
Satellite Centers of each Sampling Unit, situated at 40 m in the four (4) cardinal directions
(North = 0°; East = 90°, South = 180 ; West = 270°) from the Sample Point.
The azimuth / bearing was measured with the help of a handheld precision compass.
In the equally rare event that a Sample Point turned out to be inaccessible, the SU was
abandoned. A replacement Sample Point was drawn at random from those nodes of the
quadratic grid with a side length of 1 km (see Figure 3) located (i) in the same forest stratum
and (ii) at a similar elevation as the inaccessible Sample Point.
If one of the accessible Satellite Centers fell on an area whose "land cover" assessed in the
field was other than "forest", it was not re-located, but observed / measured as is.
4.2.3 Elevation
The elevation in m above sea level was measured at and recorded for the Sample Points
and all Satellite Centers. Hence, five elevation measurements were performed per SU. The
elevation was read from the GPS stand-alone receiver.
4.2.4 Slope
The slope was measured at and recorded for the Sample Points and all Satellite Centers.
Hence, five slope measurements were performed per SU. The slope corresponds to the
average inclination in % measured with a handheld precision clinometer in two opposite
directions along 10 m segments (oblique distance) of an imaginary straight line passing
through the Sample Point / Satellite Center and following the steepest slope gradient (where
water would run off).
4.2.6 Terrain
The terrain / topography class was observed at and recorded for the Sample Points and all
Satellite Centers. Hence, five terrain / topography classes assessments were performed per
SU. The assessment through ocular inspection distinguished the 11 classes defined by FAO
(FAO, 2012: National Forest Monitoring and Assessment - Manual for integrated field data
collection. Version 3.0):
Plateau: Relatively flat (slope ≤ 5%); terrain of great extent and high elevation, above
adjacent lowlands limited by an abrupt descent scarp on at least one side; may be
dissected by deep valleys and deeply incised rivers.
Summit / crest: Crest of any kind or hilltop; can be sharp or rounded.
Upper slope: Upper slope of hillside (located on the upper 1/3 of the slope) (shoulder).
Middle slope: Middle slope of hillside (slope > 5%) (back slope).
Lower slope: Lower slope of hillside (foot slope).
Bench / terrace: Horizontal zone of average width over 30 m interposed in the valley
side (slope < 15%) or a terrace over 6 m width.
Valley: Very wide, gently sloping depression with predominant extent in one direction
commonly situated between two mountains or ranges of hills; the profile may be U- or
V-shaped; includes river valley (formed by flowing water) or glacier valleys.
Plain: A large flat to very gently undulating area at a low elevation with reference to
surroundings
Narrow depression: Enclosed depression or small, narrow valley or distinct crater
(including ravine, gorges, gullies, canyons, etc.).
Water course: Permanent or temporary water course (river, etc.).
Dunes: Sandy hills developed through sand deposits from wind erosion / storms, often
unstable and moving.
The assessment through ocular inspection distinguished the 3 classes currently used by
NAMRIA for forest cover mapping:
Non-forest: tree crown cover ≤ 10%).
Open forest: 10% < tree crown cover ≤ 40%.
Closed forest: Tree crown cover > 40%.
If a lying dead wood section featured branches, these were measured separately.
For each of the sampled live trees1 and standing dead wood, (i) the species, (ii) azimuth
and (iii) horizontal distance from the Satellite Center, (iv) DBH / DAB and for standing dead
wood with DBH / DAB ≥ 5.0 cm as well live trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 20.0 cm (v) the
merchantable height were observed / measured and recorded as described hereafter.
In total, 3,286 live trees1 and 41 standing dead wood have been sampled.
4.2.15.1 Species
The species of each sampled live tree1 and, as much as possible, of each standing dead
wood was recorded as identified by the team mates or the local guides / helpers, referring to
the official common name or the scientific name. Local names are not suited to unequivocally
identify a species, because they vary from dialect to dialect, and even from place to place. In
cases where a tree1 could only be identified through its local name, the latter was recorded,
as much as possible together with other information (such as digital pictures) that could
facilitate the later identification of the species by its scientific name with the help of the
taxonomy / dendrology expert, Assistant Professor John Glen P. SENIEL of the Davao
Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST).
Appendix 1 provides the list of species recorded by the inventory, including the official
common names, the scientific family, genus and species names and the wood specific
gravity.
4.2.15.2 Azimuth
The azimuth / bearing in ° of the center of each sampled live tree1 and standing dead wood
at its basis / ground level was recorded as measured from the Satellite Center using a
handheld precision compass.
If a live tree / standing dead wood forks immediately above breast height, the diameter was
measured below the swell resulting from the fork. If a live tree / standing dead wood forks
below breast height, the stems were considered as separate trees / standing dead woods.
On leaning live trees / standing dead woods, the "breast height" was determined along the
axis of the stem.
Source: ZÖHRER F., 1980: Forstinventur: Ein Leitfaden für Studium und Praxis
Figure 9: DBH / DAB measurements
Whenever it proved impossible to measure the DBH / DAB with a diameter tape as described
above (e.g. when the measurement point is inaccessible), it was approximated by
comparison with a metric tape held horizontally at the base of the tree (see Figure 10).
Merchantable height of trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 35.0 cm is defined as the linear distance
along the axis of the stem from the stump height to the top merchantability limit which is
restricted by forks, large limbs, sweep, crook or decay, which make segments of the stem
un-merchantable for saw logs. For trees with 15.0 cm ≤ DBH / DAB < 35.0 cm, the volume
section is limited by a minimum top diameter inside bark which is fixed at 60% of DBH / DAB.
By this definition, the measurement to the base of the tree has to be a measurement to the
place where the felling cut would be applied, usually about 50 cm above ground, or above
the buttresses. Limits for merchantability are the following:
Size of limbs and knots: The sum of diameters in any ¼ m segment ½ the diameter of
the log at that point. Where limb and knot diameters exceed this limit, the merchantable
height cannot extend through that point, unless there is a merchantable section of 3 m
or more in length above that point.
Sweep: Sweep is a curvature in a tree section. Sweep is measured in centimeters of
departure of the center line of the section from a straight line joining the centers of each
end of the section. The departure is measured at the midpoint of the section containing
the sweep. A simple rule for maximum sweep is that departure minus allowance for
long taper cannot exceed ½ the small end diameter of the section. Merchantable length
is terminated below a section with excessive sweep unless there is a merchantable
section of 3 m or more in length above that section.
Crook: Crook is a more or less abrupt bending or angle in a tree section. Crook is
measured in cm of maximum departure of the section center line from an extension of
the center line of the straight portion of the log. The maximum departure cannot exceed
½ the small end diameter of the log. Excessive crook should terminate the
merchantable length unless there is a merchantable section of 3 m or more in length
above that section.
5. ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS
5.1 Inventory Instructions and Field Data Forms
A specific and detailed FRA field manual (LENNERTZ R., FIEL R. and MEGRASO C.P.,
2014: Field Manual for the Forest Resources Assessments in Eastern Samar and Davao
Oriental) explaining the use and care of the equipment, the configuration of the SUs as well
as the orderly sequencing of the field operations to retrieve, establish, permanently mark and
assess / measure the SUs was prepared to ensure that the field work follows Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs), minimizing operating errors and maximizing the homogeneity
of the data acquisition.
The data were recorded with pencils on sets of purposely designed paper field data forms
(see Appendix 3). The latter were regularly collected by the Junior Advisor, Mr. Joise
HONOR Jr., coordinating and supervising the field works, and taken to the office for
electronic data encoding and processing.
The Team Leaders were responsible for the security of the team, for the equipment entrusted
to them, and for the work of their members. They directed the members, validated the data
observed or measured by their Assistants, and completed the field data forms.
The Assistants manipulated the equipment and carried out the observations and
measurements.
The Helpers advised on the retrieval of the sample points, carried the equipment, opened /
brushed trails, access and sighting lines, marked the sample points and centers of the
"satellites", helped the Assistants in carrying out the measurements, and marked the trees.
5.4 Training
The teams were familiar with the inventory methodology thanks to their involvement in the
similar FRA carried out in Eastern Samar from 01 December 2014 to 24 July 2015. Hence,
their training in Davao Oriental was limited to a dendrology refresher course held from 05 -
07 August 2015, with the following program:
Day 1: Taxonomy and dendrology, common tree / bamboo / palm / rattan / tree fern
species of Davao Oriental and their identification.
Day 2: Tree / bamboo / palm / rattan / tree fern species identification (on field).
Day 2: Tree / bamboo / palm / rattan / tree fern species identification (on field).
The taxonomy / dendrology subjects were administered by Assistant Professor John Glen P.
SENIEL of the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST), who
also continued during the implementation of the FRA assisting in the determination of
species not known to the Team Mates, based on local names, digital pictures and/or
specimen of samples forwarded to him.
The output could have been higher if the teams had agreed to operate separately, since this
would have reduced the average distance between the inventory camp and its assigned
SUs. However, they insisted to camp together for safety reasons.
As a matter of fact, the average output turned out to be much lower: 6 to 7 SUs per month
and per team, in total 81 SUs over the 6.5 months available.
The factors that have contributed to the lower than expected output are the following:
remoteness and very difficult accessibility of the area to be inventoried (the furthest
Sample Points are located 28.6 km [straight distance] from the sea shore / the only
paved road):
o the Sample Points in the Northern portion are located up to 21 km (straight
distance) from Barangay P.M. Sobrecarey, Caraga, accessible from the
Barangay proper via Sitio Dangilas by an unpaved road (using habal-habal
[motorbike]), and via Sitio Maglahus by trekking (for about 4 hours), respectively
via Sitio Matabang of Barangay New Taokanga, Manay, by an unpaved road,
followed by trekking in extremely steep and rugged terrain;
o the Sample Points in the Center portion are located up to 11 km (straight
distance) from Barangay New Taocanga, Manay, accessible from the Barangay
proper via Sitio Matabang by an unpaved road, respectively from Sitio Madsayap
of Barangay Old Macopa, Manay, by an unpaved road, followed by trekking (for
about 2 - 3 hours);
o the Sample Points in the Southern portion are located up to 8 km (straight
distance) from Sitio Madian of Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona, accessible from the
Barangay proper by an unpaved road, followed by trekking (for about 2 -
3 hours);
information of and coordination with local officials (Barangay Captains, Purok / Sitio
Leaders), tribal chieftains and community members prior to the hiring of local helpers /
guides and the conduct of the inventory activities, preventing the teams to swiftly
proceed to the Sample Points or inventory camps;
unfavorable weather conditions in the forest area (frequent rains), hampering or stalling
the measurement and data recording operations;
considerable distances to trek from safe camp sites to the Sample Points.
Table 4: Time and costs the FRA field work in Davao Oriental
Item Unit Quantity Cost / Total
Unit Cost
[PHP/Unit] [PHP]
Personnel Costs
Team Leaders (2 #) person-month 13 32,000 416,000
Assistants (2 #) person-month 13 28,000 364,000
Helpers (8 #) person-day 792 250 198,000
Operational Costs
Consumables (stationaries,
86,000
batteries, paint, steel rods, etc.)
Transportation 148,000
Total 1,212,000
Future inventories should consider higher personnel costs, and foresee a food allowance for
the helpers.
A user-friendly FRA Database System Application has been developed using the equally
cross platform Java Development Kit (JDK) (cf. http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/
javase/overview/index.html). Its installation, including the installation of the required free
software (MySQL Community Server 5.6.27 and Java Runtime Environment [JRE] 8 Update
66) under MICROSOFT Windows operating system environments, is described in a separate
installation guide (BARROIS V., 2015: Forest Resources Assessment Database System
Application installation guide).
Table 5 summarizes the differences between the initial measurements and the (presumably
correct) re-measurements (serving as reference) can be assessed through the mean
absolute deviation (MAD) and the root mean square deviation (RMSD). Such deviations must
be interpreted cautiously as long as the number of re-measured SUs remains low (say less
than about 16 SUs).
The following differences between the initial and re-measurements have been observed:
very frequently diverging merchantable height measurements, because of the reduced
visibility in the stands; under such conditions, height measurements tend to be made
from positions too close to the trees1, leading to steep sighting angles, resulting in
inaccurate estimates; this source of error was anticipated, hence the preference for
allometric equations relying on DBH / DAB measurements only;
diverging DBH / DAB measurements, at times observed during the re-measurements to
be due to the non-removal of vines during the initial measurements; other sources of
these differences are non-standard measurement points above ground, and diameter
tapes either not tightened or not held horizontally;
diverging assessments of "borderline" trees1 (at the fringe of the 5 m and 10 m radii
plots), falsely considered either to be part or not to be part of the sample; hence the
importance of a through checking of such trees1;
diverging species identifications.
Overall, the mean deviations are reasonable, as expected higher when height measurements
are involved (i.e. for the estimation of V/ha, and of SDW/ha).
Another ten percent (10% of the encoded SUs chosen at random were printed and subject to
an independent comparison with the original field data forms. The comparison was done for
SUs No. DAOM0008, DAOM0028, DAOM0051, DAOM0070, DAOM0071, DAOM0099,
DAOM0127 and DAOM0147.
For 25% of the SUs, no discrepancies were found between the original field data and the
encoded data. For the remaining SUs, the following differences between the original field
data and the encoded data have been observed:
typing errors with minimal impact on the variables of interest;
omission of data with little impact on the variables of interest
The results pertain to trees1 with DBH / DAB ≥ 5.0 cm. The merchantable volume in cubic
meter (m³) inside bark has been estimated using the Philippine regional volume equations for
dipterocarps and non-dipterocarps, see Chapter 3.7.1. The AGB of live trees has been
estimated using the allometric equation developed by CHAVE J. et al., 2014, see
Chapter 3.7.2, equation {3} (the FRA Database System Application offers the option to
alternatively estimate the AGB of live trees using the allometric equation developed by
S. BROWN [FAO, 1997], see Chapter 3.7.2, equation {5}).
The following brief analysis of the species diversity refers to these definitions.
From 14 to 36, on average 24 different higher plant species have been observed per SU.
Table 7 lists the 20 most "important" species (in the sense of the definition given in
Chapter 7.1), led by Tangile. As expected, 6 Dipterocarps (Tangile, Narig, Guijo, Yakal,
White Lauan, and Almon) are among the most "important" species, but also two Fagaceae
(Ulayan and Ulaian), Nato, Salingkugi, Kalingag and Bitanghol.
Figure 11 shows that it takes a relatively important number of species, ranked in decreasing
order of their contribution to N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha, to constitute 50% of the totals:
nine species, namely Tangile, Guijo, Almon, Narig, White Lauan, Yakal, Nato, Ulaian
and Ulayan (without considering Balete) together represent almost 52% of the
merchantable volume;
nine species, namely Tangile, Guijo, Balete, Ulaian, Narig, Yakal, Ulayan, Dacrydium
beccarii (Podocarpaceae) and Nato represent together just over 50% of the AGB;
twelve species, namely Tangile, Guijo, Ulayan, Ulaian, Balete, Narig, Nato, Almon,
Yakal, White Lauan, Dacrydium beccarii (Podocarpaceae) and Kalingag represent
together almost 51% of the basal area;
nineteen species represent together some 50% of the density.
It takes as many as 114, 95, 62 and 82 species to "explain" 95% of the total N/ha, G/ha, V/ha
and AGB/ha, respectively.
97% of the SUs in Closed Forests are located at elevations of 800 m a.s.l. and above, 50%
at elevations of 1,200 m a.s.l. and above. Consequently, sub-montane and montane species
such as Almaciga, Badling, Dacrydium elatum and Kalingag are relatively frequent and
abundant.
Figure 11: N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha by number of species in Closed Forests
Table 8 lists the "threatened" species (according to the International Union for Conservation
of Nature and Natural Resources [IUCN] red list of threatened species, see
http://www.iucnredlist.org/) sampled in the Closed Forests. Practically all Dipterocarps
(12 species) are considered "critically endangered" by IUCN.
From 5 to 37, on average 22 different plant species have been observed per SU.
Table 9 lists the 20 most "important" species (in the sense of the definition given in
Chapter 7.1), led by Ulayan. 6 Dipterocarps (Tangile, Bagtikan, Guijo, White Lauan, Narig
and Almon) are among the most "important" species, but also Nato, Bitanghol, several
Figure 12 shows that like in the Open Forests, it takes a relatively important number of
species, ranked in decreasing order of their contribution to N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha, to
constitute 50% of the totals:
eight species, namely Tangile, Nato, Ulayan, Narig, Balukanag, Bagtikan, Guijo and
Almon (without considering Balete) together represent some 52% of the merchantable
volume;
nine species, namely Tangile, Balete, Ulayan, Nato, Narig, Guijo, Balukanag, Yakal
and Bagtikan represent together some 52% of the AGB;
thirteen species, namely Tangile, Ulayan, Nato, Balete, Narig, Guijo, Balukanag,
Bagtikan, Yakal, Almon, Balobo, Moluccan Sau and Mankono represent together
almost 51% of the basal area;
twenty five species represent together some 50% of the density.
It takes as many as 118, 99, 51 and 79 species to "explain" 95% of the total N/ha, G/ha, V/ha
and AGB/ha, respectively.
89% of the SUs in Open Forests are located at elevations below 1,200 m a.s.l., 43% at
elevations below 800 m a.s.l. Hence, less sub-montane and montane species (e.g. Badling
and Kalingag; no Almaciga) have been sampled, and these are less frequent and less
abundant than in the Closed Forests.
Figure 12: N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha by number of species in Open Forests
Table 10 lists the "threatened" species (according to the IUCN red list of threatened species)
sampled in the Open Forests. Practically all Dipterocarps (12 species) sampled in the Open
Forests are considered "critically endangered" by IUCN.
The relatively limited number of SUs (37 in the Closed Forests, 44 in Open Forests)
precludes a thorough comparison of the species diversity. Closed Forests seem to be slightly
more diverse than Open Forests. Yakal and Ulaian occupy significantly higher "importance"
ranks in Closed than in Open Forests. Pioneer species, on the other hand, occupy higher
"importance" ranks in Open than in Closed Forests, notably Lipang-kalabaw, Tibig, Hagimit
and Igyo.
In terms of basal area and AGB, Dipterocarps account for slightly more than 1/3 of the total
stock. Their share is even higher (almost 50%) in terms of merchantable volume, but lesser
(1/5) in terms of density. This stems from the fact that the average size of Dipterocarps, as
revealed through the quadratic mean diameter (Dg), is considerably larger (32.9 cm) than the
Dg of Non-Dipterocarps (22.5 cm).
Table 11: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Closed Forests
Species / Dg N/ha G/ha V/ha AGB/ha
Species Group [cm] [/ha] [%] [m²/ha] [%] [m³/ha] [%] [t. d.m./ha] [%]
Dipterocarps
Tangile 39.3 30.1 4.1 3.66 10.4 33.56 15.2 44.79 11.3
Guijo 33.8 19.8 2.7 1.78 5.1 14.39 6.5 26.14 6.6
Narig 31.4 17.4 2.3 1.35 3.8 10.53 4.8 19.62 4.9
Almon 34.7 12.7 1.7 1.20 3.4 11.35 5.1 10.15 2.6
Yakal 34.8 12.0 1.6 1.14 3.2 9.61 4.4 18.04 4.5
Other Dipterocarps 27.4 49.5 6.7 2.91 8.3 25.36 11.5 29.19 7.3
Sub-Total Dipterocarps 32.9 141.5 19.1 12.04 34.2 104.80 47.5 147.92 37.2
Non-Dipterocarps
Ulayan (Oak) 21.4 48.8 6.6 1.75 5.0 7.23 3.3 16.48 4.1
Ulaian 23.5 38.7 5.2 1.68 4.8 9.01 4.1 20.15 5.1
Balete 78.2 3.0 0.4 1.44 4.1 10.11 4.6 26.01 6.5
Nato 36.1 12.3 1.7 1.26 3.6 9.04 4.1 13.37 3.4
Dacrydium beccarii Parl. 88.5 1.3 0.2 0.80 2.3 5.74 2.6 15.40 3.9
Kalingag 19.2 26.2 3.5 0.76 2.2 2.94 1.3 5.07 1.3
Lanipga 68.5 1.9 0.3 0.70 2.0 5.45 2.5 10.32 2.6
Hindang 32.2 8.6 1.2 0.70 2.0 4.38 2.0 9.20 2.3
Saguimsim 29.2 9.7 1.3 0.65 1.8 3.65 1.7 7.38 1.9
Talisay-gubat 42.4 3.9 0.5 0.55 1.6 4.62 2.1 7.70 1.9
Other Non-Dipterocarps 19.5 420.5 56.6 12.51 35.5 53.80 24.4 118.07 29.7
Sub-Total Non-Dipterocarps 22.5 574.9 77.4 22.80 64.7 115.97 52.5 249.15 62.6
Palms 25.4 3.4 0.39 1.1 0.90 0.2
Bamboos 0.9 0.1 0.01 0.0 0.02 0.0
Total 742.7 100.0 35.24 100.0 220.77 100.0 398.00 100.0
The five most dominant Dipterocarps in terms of basal area are Tangile, Guijo, Narig, Almon
and Yakal. Together, they represent 76% of the total Dipterocarp merchantable volume, and
around 36% of the total merchantable volume, all species combined.
N/ha [/ha]
G/ha [m²/ha]
V/ha [m³/ha]
AGB/ha [t d.m./ha]
Non- Other
Dipterocarps Palms Bamboos Tangile Guijo Narig Almon Yakal
Dipterocarps Dipterocarps
Figure 13: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Closed Forests
The ten most dominant Non-Dipterocarps in terms of basal area, led by Ulayan and Ulaian,
closely followed by Balete (being stranglers, their size is arguable) and Nato, represent
together a substantial share of G/ha (45.1%), and the lion share of V/ha (53.6%) and AGB/ha
(52.6%) of their group.
The palms encountered are essentially Sagisi, and to a lesser extent Pugahan and Ulango.
In the Closed Forests, not a single Coconut has been sampled!
Like in the Closed Forests, Dipterocarps account for about 1/3 of the basal area and AGB of
the Open Forests. Their share is even higher (44%) in terms of merchantable volume, but
lesser (13%) in terms of density. This is thanks to their average size, in terms of Dg, which is
again considerably larger (36.1 cm) than the Dg of Non-Dipterocarps (21.1 cm).
Table 12: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Open Forests
Species / Dg N/ha G/ha V/ha AGB/ha
Species Group [cm] [/ha] [%] [m²/ha] [%] [m³/ha] [%] [t. d.m./ha] [%]
Dipterocarps
Tangile 49.1 13.9 2.7 2.63 11.8 29.24 20.4 33.52 13.5
Narig 37.4 7.2 1.4 0.79 3.5 6.69 4.7 14.10 5.7
Guijo 31.4 8.5 1.6 0.66 3.0 5.08 3.5 9.83 4.0
Bagtikan 25.1 12.1 2.3 0.60 2.7 5.42 3.8 6.68 2.7
Yakal 41.6 3.6 0.7 0.49 2.2 3.41 2.4 8.19 3.3
Other Dipterocarps 31.3 21.7 4.2 1.67 7.5 13.14 9.2 19.70 7.9
Sub-Total Dipterocarps 36.1 67.1 12.9 6.85 30.8 62.98 44.0 92.02 37.1
Non-Dipterocarps
Ulayan (Oak) 21.3 46.8 9.0 1.66 7.5 8.02 5.6 16.21 6.5
Nato 42.4 8.0 1.5 1.13 5.1 10.26 7.2 14.37 5.8
Balete 72.2 2.2 0.4 0.90 4.0 5.10 3.6 18.02 7.3
Balukanag 38.2 5.4 1.0 0.62 2.8 6.35 4.4 8.74 3.5
Balobo 29.2 6.7 1.3 0.45 2.0 1.72 1.2 5.53 2.2
Moluccan sau 49.3 2.2 0.4 0.42 1.9 2.85 2.0 3.80 1.5
Mankono 38.5 3.6 0.7 0.42 1.9 2.91 2.0 6.26 2.5
Saguimsim 26.8 7.1 1.4 0.40 1.8 1.75 1.2 4.58 1.8
Talisay-gubat 49.8 2.0 0.4 0.39 1.8 3.61 2.5 5.25 2.1
Binuang 98.4 0.5 0.1 0.38 1.7 3.38 2.4 3.31 1.3
Other Non-Dipterocarps 17.5 347.8 66.7 8.40 37.7 34.24 23.9 69.58 28.0
Sub-Total Non-Dipterocarps 21.1 432.3 83.0 15.17 68.1 80.21 56.0 155.66 62.7
Palms 14.5 2.8 0.18 0.8 0.48 0.2
Bamboos 7.2 1.4 0.05 0.2 0.16 0.1
Total 521.1 100.0 22.26 100.0 143.19 100.0 248.32 100.0
N/ha [/ha]
G/ha [m²/ha]
V/ha [m³/ha]
AGB/ha [t d.m./ha]
Non- Other
Dipterocarps Palms Bamboos Tangile Guijo Narig Bagtikan Yakal
Dipterocarps Dipterocarps
Figure 14: Stand composition (N/ha, G/ha, V/ha and AGB/ha) of Open Forests
The five most dominant Dipterocarps in terms of basal area are Tangile, Narig, Guijo,
Bagtikan and Yakal (the same species as in the Closed Forests, except Almon, which is
superseded by Bagtikan, and following a slightly different ranking). Together, they represent
79% of the total Dipterocarp merchantable volume, and around 35% of the total
merchantable volume, all species combined.
The ten most dominant Non-Dipterocarps in terms of basal area, led by Ulayan followed by
Nato, Balete (being stranglers, their size is arguable) and Balukanag, together represent
44.6% of G/ha, 57.3% of V/ha and 55.3% of AGB/ha of their group.
The palms encountered are essentially Sagisi, some Pugahan, and very few Coconuts.
On average, the Closed Forests count per hectare 142 Dipterocarp trees, 575 Non-
Dipterocarp trees, 25 Palms, 1 Bamboo and 18 Standing Dead Wood.
As expected, N/ha by diameter class shows a typical inverse "J"-shaped distribution, except
for trees with a DBH / DAB < 10 cm, which appear to be lacking in numbers.
The rise of N/ha for trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 90 cm is due to a few quite large Dipterocarps
(essentially Tangile), Balete (being stranglers, their size is arguable), Lanigpa, Talisay-gubat
and Hindang.
On average, the basal area of the Closed Forests amounts to 35.2 m²/ha, a respectable
level, actually more than the 30.5 m²/ha (for trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 15 cm) observed 1979
to 1983 by the FAO-assisted Northeastern Mindanao Pilot Project in 92 SUs in "Old Growth
Forests" of Region XI.
The distribution of G/ha by diameter class does not reveal any particularity.
On average, the above-ground biomass of the Closed Forests amounts to 398 t d.m./ha,
which corresponds to the median of the range from 280 t d.m./ha to 520 t d.m./ha referred to
by IPCC as Tier 1 estimate for tropical rainforest of insular Asia.
The distribution of AGB/ha by diameter class does not reveal any particularity.
Figure 17 shows that 99% of AGB/ha is composed of trees1 with DBH / DAB ≥ 10 cm.
On average, the Open Forests count per hectare 67 Dipterocarp trees, 432 Non-Dipterocarp
trees, 15 Palms, 7 Bamboos and 7 Standing Dead Wood. A t-test confirms that at a
confidence level of 99%, the density of live trees1 (521 /ha) is significantly lower than in the
Closed Forests (743 /ha).
The distribution of N/ha by diameter class follows a similar pattern as in the Closed Forests,
though at a lower level.
The rise of N/ha for trees with larger diameters is observed again, here for trees with DBH /
DAB ≥ 80 cm, due to a few large Dipterocarps (essentially Tangile), Nato, Balukanag and
Talisay-gubat.
The relative density of Dipterocarps by diameter class reveals that Yakal has a reduced
share in the lower diameter classes (hinting that it is not regeneration well). Among the Non-
Dipterocarps, a similar, though less pronounced trend can be observed for Nato.
On average, the basal area of the Open Forests amounts to 22.3 m²/ha. This is significantly
less than G/ha of the Closed Forests (35.2 m²/ha), as confirmed by a t-test at a confidence
level of 99%. The order of magnitude is reasonable, and actually much higher than the
14.0 m²/ha (for trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 15 cm) observed 1979 to 1983 by the FAO-assisted
Northeastern Mindanao Pilot Project in 169 SUs in "Residual Forests" of Region XI.
The distribution of G/ha by diameter class does not reveal any particularity, but confirms the
observation derived from the distribution of N/ha that Yakal and Nato are underrepresented
in the lower diameter classes.
On average, the above-ground biomass of the Open Forests amounts to 248 t d.m./ha, which
is significantly less than AGB/ha of the Closed Forests (398 t d.m./ha), as confirmed by a
t-test at a confidence level of 99%.
The distribution of AGB/ha by diameter class does not reveal any particularity.
Figure 21 shows that like in the Closed Forests, 99% of AGB/ha in the Open Forests is
composed of trees1 with DBH / DAB ≥ 10 cm.
On average, the merchantable volume in the Closed Forests amounts to 221 m³/ha.
This comes close to the order of magnitude of 233 m³/ha (for trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 15 cm)
observed 1979 to 1983 by the FAO-assisted Northeastern Mindanao Pilot Project in 92 SUs
in "Old Growth Forests" of Region XI. Then and now, around 1/3 of V/ha is concentrated on
trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 75 cm.
However, the proportion of Dipterocarps has dramatically reduced over time, from then
65.6% to now 47.5%. Dipterocarp species whose share has strongly diminished are Apitong,
Bagtikan, Red Lauan and Mayapis.
On average, the merchantable volume in the Open Forests amounts to 143 m³/ha. Based on
t-tests, this is significantly less than the merchantable volume in the Closed Forests
(221 t d.m./ha) at a confidence level of 95%, but not at a confidence level of 99%.
The merchantable volume in the Open Forests is actually considerably higher than the
91 m³/ha (for trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 15 cm) observed 1979 to 1983 by the FAO-assisted
Northeastern Mindanao Pilot Project in 169 SUs in "Residual Forests" of Region XI. At that
time, only about 10% of V/ha was concentrated on trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 75 cm, compared
to 48% now. Obviously, the "Residual Forests" inventoried from 1979 to 1983 were very
recently logged-over, hence the very low (i) merchantable volume and (ii) proportion of
trees with DBH / DAB ≥ 75 cm, while the Open Forests inventoried from 2015 to 2016 have
to some extent recovered.
The proportion of Dipterocarps is quite comparable, 48% by then compared to 44% now.
Dipterocarp species whose share has strongly diminished are Apitong and Mayapis.
On average, the Closed Forests feature a Living Biomass of 545 t d.m./ha, Dead Organic
Matter of 5.99 t C/ha, composed of (i) 4.01 t C/ha of Dead Wood and (ii) 1.98 t C/ha of
Litter, plus 71.62 t C/ha of Soil Organic Matter. The bulk of the carbon stock is in the Above-
Ground Biomass (56.0%), and thereof in Non-Dipterocarps (62.6%).
Extrapolated to the 21,750 ha of Closed Forests in Caraga, Manay and Tarragona, the forest
carbon stock amounts to 7.262 million t C.
On average, the Open Forests feature a Living Biomass of 340 t d.m./ha, Dead Organic
Matter of 4.19 t C/ha, composed of (i) 2.27 t C/ha of Dead Wood and (ii) 1.92 t C/ha of
Litter, plus 58.61 t C/ha of Soil Organic Matter. The bulk of the carbon stock is in the Above-
Ground Biomass (52.4%), and thereof in Non-Dipterocarps (62.7%).
Extrapolated to the 17,465 ha of Open Forests in Caraga, Manay and Tarragona, the forest
carbon stock amounts to 3.889 million t C.
Chapter 8.6 combines the different sources of uncertainty for the estimates of V/ha and
AGB/ha to summarize the overall error budget.
Table 23 summarizes the statistical sampling error in terms of the margin of error (E%) at a
confidence level of 95% for the main variables of interest.
Table 23: Statistical sampling errors of the main variables of interest in Closed
and Open Forests
Variable Closed Forests Open Forests
Based on 37 Sampling Units Based on 44 Sampling Units
Mean Margin of Error* Mean Margin of Error*
N/ha [/ha] 742.65 ± 14.72% 521.05 ± 17.67%
G/ha [m²/ha] 35.24 ± 13.16% 22.26 ± 18.88%
V/ha [m³/ha] 220.77 ± 19.60% 143.19 ± 26.40%
AGB/ha [t. d.m./ha] 398.00 ± 17.01% 248.32 ± 25.63%
BGB/ha [t. d.m./ha] 147.26 ± 17.01% 91.88 ± 25.63%
LB/ha [t C/ha] 256.27 ± 17.01% 159.89 ± 25.63%
SDW/ha [t C/ha] 2.93 ± 104.04% 1.03 ± 116.64%
LDW/ha [t C/ha] 1.08 ± 89.71% 1.24 ± 78.43%
LI/ha [t C/ha] 1.98 ± 16.66% 1.92 ± 17.00%
DOM/ha [t C/ha] 5.99 ± 53.67% 4.19 ± 37.80%
SOM/ha [t C/ha] 71.62 ± 6.21% 58.61 ± 4.92%
Total C/ha [t C/ha] 333.89 ± 13.16% 222.70 ± 18.46%
* 95% confidence level
As expected, the coefficients of variation (s%) are higher in Open Forests than in Closed
Forests (for AGB/ha for instance 84.3% compared to 51.0%).
The margin of error of the SOM/ha estimates appears to be very low. This is due to the fact
that following the Tier 1 estimate, only two (2) soil types and two (2) climate regions were
found in the Closed and Open Forests of Caraga, Manay and Tarragona: High Activity Clays
(HAC) and Low Activity Clays (LAC) in tropical wet and in tropical montane climate,
respectively, see Chapter 2.4, with four (4) corresponding SOM/ha stocks: 60 t C/ha (tropical
wet LAC), 44 t C/ha (tropical wet HAC), 63 t C/ha (tropical montane LAC) and 88 t C/ha
(tropical montane HAC. Hence, there is limited variation.
The uncertainty arising from the use of the regional volume equations for dipterocarps and
non-dipterocarps (see Chapter 3.7.1) for the estimation of V/ha is not documented. It may
conservatively be estimated to be of an order of magnitude of 15%.
According to the authors, the uncertainty arising from the use of the allometric equation
developed by CHAVE J. et al., 2014 (see Chapter 3.7.2, equation {5}) for the estimation of
AGB/ha is of the order of magnitude of 10%.
The uncertainties of the other metrics used to estimate BGB/ha (the root to shoot ratio),
SDW/ha (the Biomass Conversion and Expansion Factor [BCEFs]), LDW/ha, LI/ha, and to
convert the biomass to carbon equivalent (Carbon Fraction [CF] of dry matter) are difficult to
evaluate.
The largest uncertainties pertain to the statistical sampling error, followed by measurement
errors when height measurements are involved (for the estimation of V/ha) and estimation
design uncertainties. The statistical sampling error can be reduced by augmenting the
number of SUs. However, one has to keep in mind that to halve the statistical sampling error,
four times more SUs must be measured, since the sampling error is inversely proportional to
the square root of the number of SUs.
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