Degradation of the uplands
DEFINITION
In the Philippines, the definition of upland areas varies across
sectors depending on the government agency or the kind of project involved. The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which has jurisdiction
over most upland areas in the country uses the following definition:
Uplands are hilly to mountainous landscapes with 18 percent
slope or greater, including the table land and plateaus lying at higher
elevations which are not normally suited to wet rice unless some from the
terracing and ground water exist. These are mainly classified as public lands.
ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF UPLAND AREAS
The upland areas play a significant role in the dynamic and
highly interactive landscape components of a rural system. They serve as the
life support system of the lowland and aquatic areas. Upland areas are of
considerable importance because they contain the tropical rainforest ecosystems
which are the oldest, the most productive and the most protective ecosystems on
earth. An increasing population of the "poorest of the poor" lives in the upland
areas. These areas are expected to absorb even more of the expanding population
from the lowlands.
In the past, upland areas were covered with tropical rainforest
vegetation and human population was sparely distributed Few problems existed in
these upland areas
Upland areas yielded varied products which satisfied the basic
needs of these human settlements. However, given an increasing human population,
together with indiscriminate exploitation of the forest, the uplands have become
marginal and less capable of sustaining productivity and supporting the basic
needs of human society (Sajise, 1986).
As forest resources have been depleted and agricultural
activities have been undertaken in upland areas, the fragile soil resources have
been exploited and severe degradation of upland agricultural land has occurred.
Today, areas affected by agricultural degradation are
characterized by barren denuded hills and mountains with very few remaining
trees and mainly vegetated with cogon and brush. the soil is not fertile with
outcropping of rocks and the presence of eroded gullies. Wild animals
practically do not exist; instead, ruminant animals graze these lands.
If environmental and socioeconomic conditions in the uplands are
not improved, the peace and order situation could worsen. But, properly
developed upland areas can be Keys to a sustainable, socioeconomic progress for
the country.
DEGRADATION OF THE UPLANDS
UPLAND POPULATION
Estimated to be 17.8 million Filipinos
- 8.5 million live in the forest
- 5.95 million
tribal Filipinos
- 3.35 million lowland migrants
The marginal upland areas compose the following classes of
areas:
