Annex 7: IPSI Case Study Summary SheetIPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Please submit this form along with your SDM project evaluation. We ask that you keep yourresponses here as concise as possible. This information along with your SDM project evaluation
will be posted on the IPSI website unless otherwise requested. With this in mind, please provide
accurate information in the fields below in a manner that will help readers understand yourproject. Please inform the SDM Secretariat if there are any responses you would not like madepublic.

Basic Information
Keywords (3-5 key concepts included in the case study)
Ifugao Rice Terraces, Assessment, GIAHS
Web link (of the case study or lead organization if available for more information)www.ifsu.edu.ph/giahs

Geographical Information
Longitude/latitude or Google Maps link (if location is identified)
Ecosystem(s) (please place an “x” in all appropriate boxes)
ForestX
Grassland
X
Agricultural
X
In-land water
X Coastal
Urban/periOther(PleaseDryland
MountainXX
specify)urban
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area (within 50 words)
The Ifugao Rice Terraces system is composed of the rice paddies (payo) for rice-fish-shell-vegetableproduction; forests system (muyung) for timber, food, and fuel; irrigation system (alak) and water bodies(wael) for water supply and aquatic food; settlements (boble) for domestic and cultural activities; andswidden farms (uma) for vegetable and root crop production. These builds micro landscapes that sustains
a high and heterogeneous biodiversity.
Description of human-nature interactions in the area
(land-use, traditional resource management practices etc. – within 50 words)

The Ifugao Rice Terraces and the system around it is the center of culture and agriculture among the Ifugao
people. All rituals and cultural activities that include the belief system, forest management, and festivals
are anchored in the upkeep of the IRT. It is believed that the destruction of one will collapse all the IRTsystem.

Contents
Note: The following fields are used for information about activities described in the case study or the production of the casestudy itself, and contents may vary depending on the nature of the case study. For example, a case study about on-the-ground
activities may include the rationale, objectives etc. for the activities; a case study about a SEPLS-related policy may describe
the policymaking process; or a case study describing a SEPLS may address particular practices used there. Please make aneffort to fill as many fields as possible.
Rationale (why activities or policies described, or information shared in the case study are needed – within 50 words)

The Ifugao Rice Terraces Assessment attempts to collectivize all efforts among organizations to provide anagreeable and scientific information for political (legislative) and societal (cognitive) measures to thesignificance of the IRT ecosystem services and resiliency for its sustainable development. Findings will be
the blueprint of the state of the IRT.
Objectives (goals of activities or policies described, or of producing the case study – within 50 words)

1

To assess the state of the Ifugao Rice Terraces providing scientific base for response for the conservationand sustainable management of its landscapes.
Activities and/or practices employed (within 50 words)
Workforce organization; data collection; writeshop series for data processing, management and analysis;
validation workshop series and scenario planning workshops; presentation and validation of project results
through the Ifugao Rice Terraces Assessment International Summit; Continuing manuscript writing, editionand critique; establishment of IRT resource center and webpage for publication and popularization.
Results (within 50 words)
The assessment found that the physical features of the Ifugao Rice Terraces is still visible. The farmland
ecosystem, forest ecosystem and biodiversity are still rich but confronted by economic, environmental, andsocial issues to sustain them. Urbanization, commercial or modern farming methods, and the changing
societal values are the threats for its sustainable management and development.
[Details (appendix)]
The population vis-à-vis the number of farmers in the Ifugao Rice Terraces is decreasing fairly while there
is a continues abandonment of the rice terraces. Invasive species like golden apple snails and Asian swamp
eel are multiplying while heirloom rice varieties are disappearing together with other plants and inland
water species such as sweetpotato, edible snails, and loach. Rice production is decreasing and can beincreased through subsidized farming applied in some IRT clusters. Plausible scenarios that were derived
include agri-culture revitalization; heritage-invested governance; community of culture-nature citizens;and institutionalization of indigenous knowledge systems.
Lessons learned (factors in success or failure, challenges and opportunities – within 40 words)
SEPLS assessment requires a wide array of willing network of scholars, experts, IK holders, politicians,academicians, and community members. Assessment should be conducted when a broad network isalready been established to be able to straightforwardly conduct the activities.
Maximizing digital resource and platforms in SEPLS assessment are significant in data gathering andprocessing; consultation, validation, and evaluation; and publication, circulation, and use.
Contingency planning for activity mobilization must be well prepared.
Key messages (within 40 words)
The mainstreaming of GIAHS framework and SEPLs concept and strengthening of community participatory
planning for the sustainable management of the Ifugao Rice Terraces is the key to understand the changes
and trends and to envision the future of the landscape.
Relationship to other IPSI activities (if the case study is related to any other IPSI collaborative activities, case studies,etc.)

N/A
Funding (any relevant information about funding of activities or projects described in the case study)
The research-project is well funded to implement the activities. However, the pandemic restricted someactivities.

Contributions to Global Agendas
CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
Please place an “x” in the “direct” or “indirect” boxes next to any of the CBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets to which the work
described in this case study contributes as appropriate. Note: please mark only those that the case actually has made or
is making a contribution, not those to which it could make a potential contribution in the future.
TargetDescription
Direct Indirect
By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they
can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

2X

By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local
development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being
incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems.
By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are
eliminated, phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, andpositive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity aredeveloped and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and otherrelevant international obligations, taking into account national socio economicconditions.
By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken
steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production andconsumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe
ecological limits.
By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved andwhere feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly
reduced.
By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested
sustainably, legally and applying ecosystem based approaches, so that overfishing is
avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries
have no significant adverse impacts on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems
and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe ecologicallimits.
By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably,
ensuring conservation of biodiversity.

By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has been brought to levels that are
not detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity.

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority
species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways toprevent their introduction and establishment.

X

By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable
ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as tomaintain their integrity and functioning.

X

By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal
and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity andecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed,
ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and othereffective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapesand seascapes.
By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and theirconservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved andsustained.

3XX

By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals
and of wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuablespecies, is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented forminimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.
By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water,
and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded,taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and thepoor and vulnerable.

XX

By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has
been enhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least
15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation
and adaptation and to combating desertification.

XBy 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable
Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization is in force and operational, consistent
with national legislation.

X

By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced
implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy andaction plan.

X

By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local
communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and theircustomary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation andrelevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in theimplementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation ofindigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.
By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, itsvalues, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved,
widely shared and transferred, and applied.
By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial resources for effectively
implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and inaccordance with the consolidated and agreed process in the Strategy for Resource
Mobilization, should increase substantially from the current levels. This target will besubject to changes contingent to resource needs assessments to be developed andreported by Parties.

4X

XXUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)
Please place an “x” in the “direct” or “indirect” boxes next to any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to which thework described in this case study contributes as appropriate. Note: please mark only those that the case actually has
made or is making a contribution, not those to which it could make a potential contribution in the future.
SDGDescription
Direct Indirect

End poverty in all its forms everywhereX

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promotesustainable agriculture

X

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
X

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all

X

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
X

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for allXEnsure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for allX

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full andproductive employment, and decent work for all

X

Build resilient infrastructure, promoteindustrialisation, and foster innovation

X

inclusive

andsustainable

Reduce inequality within and among countries
X

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainableX

5

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
X

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
X

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources forsustainable development
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse landdegradation, and halt biodiversity loss
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions
at all levels
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnershipfor sustainable development

6XXXX