Improving the agricultural component of Forest and Landscape Restoration projects in the Philippines
Creators: name: Moura Nogueira Ribeiro, Camila
Publisher: name: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Year: 2023
Subjects: agriculture for development
community-based reforistation
agroforestry
political ecology
tropical agriculture
ecosystem restoration governance
Agriculture, land and farm management
Forestry sciences
Environmental management

description: This thesis investigates the factors affecting the implementation of Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) projects within agriculture-dominated landscapes. The conversion of natural ecosystems into agriculture is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. The need to restore ecosystems globally has gained further attention with the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration (2021-30). Land-based measures are some of the most critical climate change mitigation and adaptation options currently available. Improving agricultural land management to restore ecosystems has economic potential and depends on context-specific environmental, socio-economic, and political factors.
description: In this thesis, the implementation of FLR projects in agriculture-dominated landscapes is explored through a case study involving ten farmers associations, involved in both FLR projects and the production of key commodity crops in Central Philippines. Using a mixed-methods research design, data were collected through participant observation, transect walks, interviews, group discussions, and workshops with farmers, government, business, as well as research and development stakeholders. Secondary data were consulted from government documents and reports, and a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed publications. Data were analysed through a policy timeline, thematic and social network analyses, seasonal calendars, and economic projections.
description: A series of factors affecting the implementation of FLR in landscapes dominated by agriculture were identified and investigated. The availability of knowledge on restoration methods applicable to agricultural land uses, and awareness of social aspects influencing the regulatory environment of the agricultural and natural resources management sectors were identified as critical to the implementation of FLR in agriculture-dominated landscapes. The exchange of information and other resources among agricultural and FLR stakeholder organisations informed opportunities for further collaboration, capacity-building, and funding priorities, as well as the go-to social actors to expand political influence. Potential improvements to support the socio-economic needs of farmers were identified through the assessment of crop production and FLR projects against labour availability, land use motivations, practices, perceptions, and challenges. Outputs of this thesis include i) A novel framework to guide improvements in agricultural land uses to contribute to FLR goals; and ii) A land use option to mitigate land use change risks, cater for the goals of multiple stakeholders and promote new governance arrangements.
description: The research design of this thesis comprises an approach to identifying challenges and opportunities in FLR projects at the regional and local levels. It complements existing methodologies in the literature focused on restoration opportunities at the national and sub-national levels. The potential to establish local agroforestry-specific value chains, connect labour payments to circular economies, and utilise agroforestry production to address local food security deserve further investigation. Further research on gender and cultural aspects affecting the relationships between agriculture and FLR stakeholders is also needed.