Mother Trees

In the Philippines, current reforestation projects are actively and positively supported by the government, the public, and private sectors. Past experience and studies conducted pointed out that successful reforestation projects should be well-planned and holistic in approach. Along with the participation of stakeholders, it involves the need for information on the reforestation sites like Physico-chemical and biodiversity data (trees/plants and other parameters), appropriate planting schedule, and most importantly, available good-quality seedlings and planting materials of native and indigenous tree species. Increasing demand for good-quality planting materials of native and indigenous tree species is projected in the future.

In Camarines Sur, only a number of native tree nurseries are currently operating and the kinds of species cultivated are still very limited. On the other hand, native tree species are still found surviving in the province and these trees are not confined in natural parks or sanctuaries but they are thriving even in yards and along roadsides. It is important to identify these resources so that indigenous stocks may be maintained and reforestation activities will have enough native and indigenous tree species seedlings for its effective implementation. Currently, research on the potential of indigenous and native trees as sources for germplasm, along with their actual locations, in Camarines Sur is non-existent. There is one mother tree identified in Bicol National Park in Camarines Norte, the red lauan (Shorea negrosensis) but this is known as a tourist attraction. There is no literature on it being a source of wildlings or seeds.

Primarily, the study will help map and identify valuable native and indigenous mother trees in Camarines Sur. It will form baseline data on the type of available mother trees that can be sources of high-quality planting materials, such as seeds and wildlings that can be used for propagation and nursery purposes. The spectral library can be used as a test set for future modeling and validation of tree analysis/processing from remotely sensed data. This can also be used in further identification of the distribution of trees of the same species. The identified mother trees can be part of reforestation activities that aim to supply indigenous and native seedlings for greening programs in the Region. This will not only ensure that there will be an adequate and sustainable supply of indigenous and native planting materials but can also help the local people who would like to engage in nurseries and seedling propagation business.