An assessment of the adopt a site project of UM in DCWD Malagos watershed

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the condition of the partnership in terms of survival percentage of seedlings, planting distance, seedling diameter, and seedling height versus the ideal standards. Also, it is conducted to assess the economic benefits of the partnership experienced by the beneficiaries in the communities, and the ecological stability of the partnership using the forest succession paradigm at the University of Mindanao adopt-a-site project of Davao City Water District watershed, Malagos, Davao City. Seedlings planted were monitored every quarter in terms of survival, diameter, height, and spacing from other planted seedlings. The questionnaires were used as a research instrument in obtaining the data from the community as respondents. An actual interview was done to the selected respondents of the study for validation. Results revealed that a total of eight (8) tree species were planted in the area which was dominated by big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and was followed by narra (Pterocarpus indicus). A total of 1,213 seedlings (20.51%) that were survived from 5,913 seedlings planted during the five years of monitoring due to incompatibility of the seedlings to the site, inappropriate planting technique, and the occurrence of weeds and pests. Lumbang (Aleurites moluccana) has the highest planting distance of 3.58 m x 3.58 m. Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) has the highest diameter of 12.70 mm and highest height of 133.23 cm. There is a moderate level of awareness of the beneficiaries of UM adopted site at DCWD in terms of ecological stability and economic upliftment of the respondents. The presence of wildlife species such as deer, monkeys, python, bats, and even tarsier has been observed by the two respondents being interviewed. This mainly due to the number of species of trees being planted which serve as habitat for wildlife species. However, the said area where the seedlings where planted are still in the seedling or sapling stage of forest succession. The project of UM adopts a site is considered very young due to its period of establishment. Keywords: watershed, survival percentage, economic benefits, ecological stability