Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are useful foods, substances, materials/commodities obtained from forest other than timber. These include forest vines which have been used as raw materials for handicraft products being sold locally and abroad. The handicraft Industry is one of the dollar earners of the country, thus, problems on sources and sustainability of these resources should be addressed.
This course aims to enumerate forest vines species for handicraft items, and also provide short information on the volume, phenology, regeneration, propagation, uses and sample products from forest vines.
In general, the course module discusses the biological aspect of forest vines while providing solutions to the continuing problems of handicraft industry in terms of sources, sustainability and production of forest vines as raw material.
This course is an introduction on Republic Act No. 9072 otherwise known as the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, as defined by DENR Administrative Order No. 2003-29. It provides an overview of the laws governing the utilization of caves and cave resources for scientific, educational, recreational, tourism, and other purposes. The course also discusses the classification process of caves and its governing bodies. Finally, it also provides a discussion on how to properly manage caves given its location, whether in a public land or a titled property.
This course will explore the fascinating world of caves, including what they are, how and where they form, and various interesting facts about these natural wonders. The course are divided into six lectures: (1) How caves form, (2) Types of Caves, (3) Cave Features, (4) Karst Hydrogeology, (5) Karst Forest Formation, and (6) Water quality in caves: Exploring the depths. These lectures were developed by the Hydrogeological Team of the NICER Center for Cave Ecosystems Research (NICER CAVES) Program.
From these lectures, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of different cave formation processes, the diverse types of caves, its features, etc. They will delve into the geological, hydrological and environmental factors that contribute to the creation of caves. The students will also be introduced to the flora and fauna in karst forest and a background to the importance of water in caves. Through a blend of scientific concepts, visual examples, and fun trivia, students will have a foundation knowledge on caves that can help them in understanding other concepts which will be introduced in other courses about caves.
This online training course module is an output of the DOST-PCAARRD program entitled "NICER Center for Cave Ecosystems Research (CAVES) Program" with the UPLB Museum of Natural History, U.P. Los Baños.
This course focuses on terrestrial vertebrate fauna or tetrapods, namely amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that are associated with caves and/or karst ecosystems. Topics that are discussed here include cave fauna distribution within cave ecosystems, their diversity, adaptations, ecosystem services, threats and conservation.
Cave microbiology deals with the study of cave microorganisms. This course will allow the participants to study cave bacteria and fungi through culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques. Towards the end of the course, the students will learn the importance of studying microorganisms in caves, the approaches on how these microorganisms are isolated and characterize and appreciate the role played by microorganisms in caves and in our lives.
This course on cave arthropods explores the fascinating world of arthropods, one of the most diverse groups of organisms on Earth. Through an overview of key features such as bilateral symmetry, segmented bodies, jointed appendages, and chitinous exoskeletons, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique characteristics that define arthropods. Additionally, the course delves into the historical context and recent advancements in the study of cave arthropods in the Philippines. From the pioneering explorations of Bolivar, Raffray, and Simon in 1892 to contemporary research initiatives like the Cave Biodiversity Research and the Cave Ecology Program, students will uncover the rich diversity of cave-dwelling arthropods and their ecological significance. Through a lecture on trogloxenes, troglophiles, and troglobites, students will familiarize themselves with the intricate relationships between arthropods and their cave habitats, gaining insights into their adaptations, behaviors, and roles within cave ecosystems. Overall, this course offers a glimpse into the world of arthropods and their fascinating adaptations to the cave environment.
This course introduces participants to the general morphology and taxonomy of three plant families commonly found in cave ecosystems: Araceae (aroid family), Gesneriaceae (gesneriads family), and Orchidaceae (orchid family). Participants will learn how to identify these families in the field using key diagnostic characters.
The course will cover various techniques for preparing herbarium specimens in detail. A herbarium is a systematic collection of dried, pressed, and preserved plant specimens used for reference and identification. It functions similarly to a museum, representing plant species from various regions collected over time. Voucher specimens are carefully selected and brought to the herbarium for drying, pressing, mounting, labeling, accessioning, and filing. Each step must be performed with precision, as herbarium specimens are preserved indefinitely. Successful long-term storage of these specimens requires specialized materials, procedures, and facilities.
Rubber is the fourth largest crop after rice, coconut, and oil palm in Agusan del Sur, and one of the major constraints on rubber production includes the lack of adequate soil and nutrient management. Natural rubber industry, however, similar to any other agricultural activity, encounters specific limitations and constraints that hinder its efficiency and sustainability. One effective approach to address these challenges is through the use of GIS mapping. By mapping the limitations and constraints associated with rubber production, it becomes possible to effectively plan and manage rubber plantations. The objective of this learning module is to provide an overview of the key limitations and constraints for rubber production, thereby helping the rubber stakeholders realize and understand the challenges inherent in this industry. This will help the participants understand the different land, soil, and climatic requirements of rubber for optimum growth and production. Additionally, this course outlines the essential steps for understanding and utilizing the limitations and constraints maps generated from the various soil series. Thus, providing them a technical know-how on the possible interventions and management to address the identified limitations and constraints on the different soil series in Agusan del Sur.
This course explores the practical "Root Trainer (RT) Technology”, revolutionizing high-quality rubber planting materials production. With the rubber industry's critical role in the Philippine economy, enhancing productivity and sustainability is vital. The innovative root trainer technique addresses challenges of low-quality planting materials and conventional nursery practices.
Discover the significance of high-quality materials for productivity and gain insights into limitations of traditional methods and how Root Trainer offers a practical alternative. Learn the step-by-step process using RT cups technology, showcasing benefits like shorter production periods and reduced cost, explore the environmental advantages, promote eco-friendly practices for sustainable rubber farming, and acquire expertise to implement Root Trainer technology effectively, contributing to the rubber industry's growth and resilience with sustainable practices. This course was developed through the studies conducted by the program titled “Nationwide Clonal Adaptation Trial and Innovation of Propagation Techniques of Newly Introduced High-Yielding and Promising Rubber Clones Project 2: Innovation of Root Trainer Technique and Precision Grafting Technology for Rapid Propagation of Quality Planting Materials of Rubber.
The use of bamboo for construction demands a noteworthy consideration. Along with its good physical and mechanical properties, bamboo stores carbon, is fast growing, renewable, and sustainable making it an ideal alternative to wood. But one of the challenges in building with bamboo is it is a difficult material to connect due to its round shape and hollow profile among others. Traditional methods of connecting bamboo involve lashing and carving which are prone to slippage and structural weakening of the bamboo material.
Other construction materials like steel and cement can be used to develop modern jointing systems for connecting bamboo poles resulting in a more rigid structure.
This course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce and employ the use of a bamboo jointing system using octagonal-shaped connectors in bamboo structures.
The course consists of two parts: the first video serves as an introduction to the advantages of using bamboo in construction and an overview of methodology used; and the second video provides the detailed instructions on fabricating the octagonal-shaped connector.
