Oral Theme 3

Understanding Natural HIstory Museums and Public Interaction

Museum Educational Programs: Learnings, Challenges and Opportunities

James DV. Alvarez and Florante A. Cruz

Biodiversity Conservation Education Program, UPLB Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna

Email for correspondence: jdalvarez1@up.edu.ph

For more than 40 years, the UPLB Museum of Natural History has served not only as a facility for biodiversity research and conservation but also as a training ground for young researchers and naturalists. The Museum through its Volunteer and Internship Program has accommodated students from different universities and high schools in the Philippines. To improve the program, we developed mechanisms to ensure the security and welfare of both the intern/volunteer and the Museum. Program is rigorously planned to maximize their engagement in Museum activities, which is usually scheduled during non-fieldwork periods when most of the staff are in the field for their individual research projects. Although in some cases, they are also engaged in field activities but only in near areas such as Mt. Makiling. Recently, we accommodated interns from Philippine Science High School which revolutionized our internship program since high school students have different needs and sets of skills. To make a more significant impact, we also offer short courses which have been regularly attended by students, researchers and faculty members from different universities and colleges. ‘Biodiversity for Beginners: Methods and Analysis for Biodiversity Field Surveys’ has become a flagship training course of MNH and has provided significant support to budding researchers. The Museum also engage with local communities by providing training on community-based research and conservation. Recently, MNH had a training workshop in Sibuyan Island to equip and encourage local researchers to conduct biodiversity researches in their area.

Showcasing Biodiversity in the Sierra Madre: Status and Prospects at UP Land Grants

Virgilio T. Villancio^1,2, Reynaldo E. Lorida¹, Maria Nimfa P. Bandian¹ and Analeah L. Ricohermoso¹

¹Land Grant Management Office, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna; ²Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna

Email for correspondence: alricohermoso@up.edu.ph

The Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (LQLG) and Laguna Land Grant (LLG), with a total of around 9,084 hectares, having been endowed to the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1930 and 1964, respectively, exhibit in situ diverse flora and fauna with a number of endemic species. To date, there are at least 41 endemic plant species covering 22 families and 22 endemic vertebrates reported at LQLG to include among others, Medinilla magnifica (kapa-kapa), Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) and Buceros hydrocorax (Rufous hornbill). The Philippine National Botanic Garden (PNBG) also used to be located in the area. There are current efforts to develop about 150 hectares into a conservatory park to showcase the rich biodiversity of the Sierra Madre. Areas are allocated for live collections of hoyas, pandans, mussaendas, bamboos, palms, ferns, aroids, gingers and herbal plants. The park will provide an excellent venue for research, theses, and hands-on training for students, faculty and other stakeholders. These efforts are geared towards maximum utilization of the area and will lead to the revival of the PNBG. Land grants have potentials for revenue generation and enhancement of UP’s instruction, research and extension functions. Collaborations are highly encouraged and being opened to research and academic institutions and individuals for further biodiversity studies.

The FPRDI Herbarium and Xylarium Laboratories: The Center of Excellence in Wood Science and Technology in the Country

Jennifer M. Conda, Ramiro P. Escobin and Fernando C. Pitargue, Jr.

Researchers, Anatomy and Forestry Botany Section, Material Science Division, Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute, College, Los Baños, Laguna

Email for correspondence: jennifermconda@gmail.com

The Forest Products Research and Development Institute Herbarium and Xylarium is the one of herbarium and xylarium laboratories in the country that is recognized internationally. The xylarium is registered in Index Xylariorum (1988) under the name CLPw which stands for College, Laguna, Philippines. Meanwhile, herbarium was internationally known in Index herbariorum by Holmgren and Holmgren in 1990. The wood samples together with the herbarium collection originally came from the then Bureau of Forestry (1900-1938), largest and most complete in Far East. After World War II damaged wood samples were transferred and stored at the Old Forests Products building on 1941. Since then, it was maintained and enlarged. At present, it houses a total of 29,310 wood samples. Five Thousand Two Hundred Seventy (5,270) of it are foreign while 24,040 are local. One Thousand Three Hundred Thirty (1,330) wood species are authentic. Meanwhile, 120 wood species are available for distribution. Other collections include non-timber forest products such as forest vines, bast fibers, bamboos, cycads, ferns and seeds. These facilities are being used for research and development project activities. It is also a room for education and training for forestry schools offering wood identification courses. Identification services help the forest-based industries in the identification of their raw materials and solving lawsuit cases as illegal logging and misidentified wood for specific uses.

The University as a Bird Sanctuary: Developing a Living Natural History for Conservation and Education

Marlon Pareja¹, Lionelle Uytico^1,3, Niñokay Beceril^1,2, Maria Jessica Delos Reyes², Leonora Nares², Jackie Lou Wenceslao³ and Josephine Rodelas³

¹ Environmental Resources Management Center, Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Cavite; ² Biodiversity and Watersheds Center for Sustainable Development (BRAVE), Inc.; ³ Volunteers

Email for correspondence: mcpareja@dlsud.edu.ph

De La Salle University – Dasmariñas’ (DLSU-D) 1,396 resident trees were believed to be an immediate home to many avian species of Dasmariñas. However, the demand for new facilities to cater the growing number of students and in-campus congestion leads to expansion. This expansion creates a conflict between the mission of the University of promoting nature conservation and sustainability to providing education to more students. To develop appropriate environmental management options in line with the University's campus development plans and establish DLSU-D as a bird sanctuary, bird survey within its university grounds was conducted, The study aims to assess the birds' profile and identify key areas for conservation. Bird survey was conducted using nested plot/spot survey method. Innovative approach in data recording was also employed. The result of the survey showed 22 new records of bird species in identified sampling area. Significant findings comprise 30 resident breeding species including eight (8) Philippine endemics and four (4) migratory species. This includes a Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora), listed under IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a vulnerable species. Overall, a total of 34 species were identified; To further document the diversity and presence of these avian species, complementary assessments are highly recommended. Avifaunal conservation effort and establishment of ecological baselines will aid in responsible implementation of University’s campus development plans in line to nature-inspired interventions. Continued compliance to national government standards related to environmental management and safety must also be sustained.

On Social Media Curation: Straight from the Philippine Arachnophiles Capture Spiral Web

Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo¹, Lydia C. Robledo² and the Philippine Arachnophiles Group

¹Faculty Member, Institute of Biological Science and Curator, UPLB Museum of Natural History , University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna; ²Philippine Butterfly Habitat Conservation Society, Inc.

Email for correspondence: abdupo@up.edu.ph

Capture spirals of a spider web not only serve to absorb the energy of the flying prey it captures, it also strengthens the web structure. This paper likens the role of citizen scientists contributing to the social media group Philippine Arachnophiles to capture spirals. Their active social media participation since 2012 captures vital information such as species distribution information, diversity, species sightings, spider trade and even ecological notes. As such, curation of the information provided by these citizen scientists becomes more complicated. Apart from simply sorting photos to respective families, this kind of social media curation also entails communicating information to the curious public. This activity entails regular updates and fast response. In turn, they also become sources of information. Citizen scientists strengthen Philippine Arachnology by sharing and exchanging important information that help fill in gaps on spider diversity. For example, this joint effort of 310 members initially reports 16 families of spiders, namely: Araneidae, Clubionidae, Ctenidae, Hersiliidae, Lycosidae, Nephilidae, Oxyopidae, Pholcidae, Pisauridae, Salticidae, Sparassidae, Theraphosidae, Theridiidae Tetragnathidae, Thomisidae and Uloboridae. The group also helped confirm the report of a new spider family record in the country.