‘Historic, most comprehensive’ study on PHL biodiversity begins

Scientists and researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) and the California Academy of Sciences (CAS) have begun the 2011 Philippine Expedition which aims to document the terrestrial and marine life forms in the archipelago. At a press conference held on Monday noon, UP President Alfredo Pascual together with biologist Dr. Perry Ong and Dr. Terrence Gosliner, a renowned marine biologist from CAS, formally announced the start of the scientific expedition which will explore selected mountains and lakes in the country. The expedition is said to be “the first to make a comprehensive survey of both terrestrial and marine diversity" in the Philippines. “An expedition like this doesn’t just happen," Gosliner said. Between April 26 and June 8 this year, botanists, entomologists, marine biologists and other experts, and students from the two academic institutions will explore shallow-water reefs, the deep sea, and terrestrial and freshwater areas for new life and document the biodiversity of the country. ‘Hidden treasures’ “Indeed, the expedition is important because it will reveal the hidden treasures held by the rich biodiversity of our country," Pascual said. The areas to be studied include Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Pulag, the Taal Lake, Batangas City, and Anilao, Batangas. Ong noted that Mt. Makiling had not been surveyed comprehensively for the last hundred years. “The 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition is expected to blaze a new trail in the study of life in the country and the results of this expedition could be vital to the survival and progress of our country and of our people," Pascual said. He added that the expedition’s discovery of new species of animals, plants, and other life forms may lead to the discovery of new medicines and agricultural products which would benefit the people. He said the studies will be essential in formulating policies and programs “which will protect the country's biodiversity and its citizens." “Aside from studies, the expedition will also analyze the impact of climate change and human activities that affect the environment and consequently come up with recommendations," Pascual said. Megadiversity According to Ong, who is also the Director of the UP Institute of Biology, the Philippines was chosen over two other countries for the venue of the expedition because of our country’s megadiversity. “The 17 megadiversity countries in the world contain more than 75 percent of global biodiversity. And Philippines is one of [these countries]," Ong said. The Philippines is also considered the center of the “coral triangle" where more than 75 percent of coral species in the world can be found. Within the country, the Verde Island Passage between Batangas and Mindoro is considered “the center of the center of the center" of the coral triangle, containing the highest diversity of fish. Renowned marine biologist Dr. Terrence Gosliner, who is also the Dean of Science and Research Collections at CAS, attested to the rich biodiversity of the Philippines, noting that some of the marine researchers and scientists who are already on the field are already making new discoveries after just four days. “I just left Anilao last evening to come back here. We have already discovered nine new species in two days," Gosliner said. Gosliner has been personally working in the Philippine for 20 years, but he is always surprised every time they explore the archipelago. “It truly is remarkable. We find new things every time we look. We find, on average, one new specie of marine organisms on every dive that we make. And it seems endless," he said. Among the recent discoveries of Gosliner’s team include new species of barnacles, eels, fishes, and sea slugs called nudibranchs that are important in biomedical research, particularly in neurophysiological studies. Some contain unique chemicals that have pharmaceutical value. Meanwhile, Ong hopes for positive outcomes once his team gets to conduct the studies, saying that “We are optimistic that we will have similar spectacular results." Nature under threat While the Philippines is one of the biologically richest countries, it is also home to the most threatened ecosystems. The Philippines is one of the 33 biodiversity hotspots in the world. “What does it mean if you're a hotspot? It means that you have less than 20 percent of your forest cover remaining," Ong said. Ong noted that when UP was established in 1908, around 70 percent of the country's land area was covered with forests. But by the the time UP celebrated its centennial in 2008, the forest cover decreased to 18 percent of the Philippine land area. “Basically, we lost about 20 million hectares of forest over a hundred years," Ong said. As for marine ecosystems, the Verde Island Passage is also considered among the 10 marine biodiversity hotspots in the world. In honor of slain botanist Dr. Co Slain botanist Leonard Co was supposed to be a part of the expedition, according to Ong. “He sat in our meetings in September 2010, few months before he died. So partly, this expedition is being done in honor of him," Ong said. But Ong assured that sufficient security measures will be given to the scientists and researcher to avoid similar unfortunate events. “We are doing proper coordination with the local government units, communities and all the people whom we need to talk to," he added. Meanwhile, Gosliner said their security has been given due attention by local authorities. “One of the things that we did in San Francisco is [coordinating] with the Philippine consular general there who has been in touch with the [Philippine National Police] to notify local constituencies of our presence. In fact when I arrived in Mabini in Anilao, I was with the local contingent of the PNP who wanted to assure us that they were looking after us and that we will be very safe and secure," Gosliner said. Getting permits During the press conference, Ong also discussed some of the issues regarding scientific studies in the country, particularly the system of getting permits that researchers have to deal with. “A lot of scientists are shying away from doing research in the Philippines because of its stringent collection [and] permitting system," Ong said. He lamented that the system of getting permits in the Philippines is “a tedious process" and an “additional burden and expense" on legitimate scientists who want to do research in the country. Ong added that the system “has discouraged a lot of potential foreign collaborators." “Unless we clean up our act on the permitting system it will be a consistent problem," he said. Educational outreach Meanwhile, educational outreach projects will be conducted in the 12 communities within the areas to be studied. These outreach projects will share information, discoveries, explorations, and results with the locals. “To be able to share information with the people in those communities is critically important in this expedition," Gosliner said. “Hopefully, we’ll be a model for moving forward, for how we conduct science and how we influence the future [of studying] biodiversity," he added. The findings of the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition will be presented on June 8 at the National Institute of Geological Sciences in UP Diliman. — MRT/KBK, GMA News