About CECAM

Background

This project was conceived through the initiative of researchers/scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the University of the Philippines headed by Prof. Kazuo Nadaoka and Prof. Miguel Fortes respectively, recognizing the need for coastal ecosystem conservation and adaptive management in the Philippines. With funding support from the “Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS)” scheme jointly founded by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive Management under Local and Global Environmental Impacts in the Philippines (CECAM) was established in 2010. The project will be implemented for a 5 year duration.

Key coastal and marine ecosystems in the Philippines are targeted for a comprehensive, integrated and multi-disciplinary research with the primary objective of developing new conservation and sustainable development management schemes for the local communities. Collaborative research efforts mainly focus on the assessment of the environmental conditions of coastal environments where various forms of coastal developments are occurring.

Purpose

Coastal ecosystems in the Southeast Asia are characterized by their rich biodiversity, but have been rapidly deteriorated due to combined effects of various anthropogenic impacts and global environmental changes. In the present study, we will develop a new conservation scheme, targeting coastal ecosystems in the Philippines, to maintain their high biodiversity and disaster prevention function and to realize sustainable development of local communities. For this purpose, we will investigate the mechanism of maintaining biodiversity of the coastal ecosystems, perform comprehensive assessment of the environmental stresses on them, and analyze their response and recovery processes under multiple environmental stresses and the socioeconomic structure of the local communities causing the stresses. Based on these, we will present desirable schemes for local community management and marine protected area (MPA) networks which are effective for controlling environmental stresses and enhancing resilience of coastal ecosystems.

Prospective Output

1. Scientific and socio-economic knowledge basis development

1. 1. Assess sources and propagation processes of environmental impacts and carrying capacity of coastal ecosystem as a basis for mitigating environmental stresses

   2. Propose an effective scheme for improving Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks by identifying core habitats in local/regional reef connectivity systems

   3. Develop database on various environmental factors and biodiversity in coastal ecosystem

   4. Develop damage potential map based on multiple environment stress assessment and prediction

   5. Assess socio-economic status concerning coastal ecosystem management

   6. Develop Continuous and Comprehensive Monitoring System (CCMS) on multiple environmental stresses and coastal ecosystem responses

   7. Develop Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS)

2. Implementation and dissemination

1. 1. Implement CCMS and IDSS at proposed project sites as pilot practices

   2. Develop a guideline for coastal ecosystem conservation and adaptive management

   3. Make communication tools like leaflets and a website for interpreting and disseminating project results and activities to public

   4. Publish a book, papers and reports

3. Capacity development

1. 1. Identify the needs of capacity building for various sectors

   2. Conduct training to enhance the capacity of the sectors

   3. Develop networks by local, national and regional workshops/meetings

Regular Activities

1. Intensive joint field surveys during March and September

2. Workshops and national conferences

3. Joint Coordinating Committee meeting