Over 100 participants gathered for the first Scientific
Conference on the Agusan Marsh held 21-23 May 2007 at
the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City. Representatives from
the academe, government, nongovernment/people’s
organizations (NGOs/POs), and the private sector
consolidated results of natural and social science
studies on the Marsh; pointed out information gaps and
agreed to inform key decision-makers and stakeholders of
the results and recommendations to benefit the greater
Agusan River Basin area.
Fourteen plenary papers and 12 poster papers were
presented by academe and the LGU-NGO-PO community on
various aspects of the Agusan Marsh -- Situationer (on
Scientific Aspects), History, Geology (Shifts in the
Position of Agusan River along the Butuan Coastal
Plain), Hydrology and Wetland Dynamics, Water Quality
and Heavy Metal Contamination, Aquatic Biodiversity
(Insects, other Invertebrates, Amphibians, and Fishes),
Avifauna, Cultural and Socioeconomic Dimensions, Sago
Palm Ecology/Utilization, and NGO/LGU Initiatives.
A concluding workshop addressed key issues in the
effective management of the Marsh resources – Impact of
Dams on Hydrology and Ecology, Forest Protection,
Biodiversity, Heavy Metals Pollution, Sustainability of
the Marsh, and Science-based Information. Discussions
focused on gaps in scientific knowledge about the Marsh,
and recommended specific actions, including the
responsible agencies, organizations and institutions.
These will be made available on the website of the
Northern Mindanao State University of Science and
Technology (NORMISIST) together with the plenary
presentations and posters. A Proceedings volume will
also be prepared.
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The Conference was financially supported by
international and national sponsors – UNESCO (Jakarta
Regional Office), Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, and
Caraga Regional Office), Philippine Council for Aquatic
and Marine Resources Development, Philippine Council for
Agriculture Resources and Research Development,
Department of Science and Technology (Regions XI and
XIII), Commission on Higher Education, Conservation
International, Haribon, and the local government of
Butuan City. Additional support came from individual
Butuanons and Agusanons abroad (Ray Burdeos, Margaret
Riego de Dios, Jehovenn Honculada, Rommel Maneja, Roging
and Emy Rosales, and Romy Torralba). The organizers were
the Caraga Consortium for Agriculture, Forestry
Resources Research and Development (CCARD) and NORMISIST
based in Ampayon, Butuan City, with the latter providing
the Secretariat.
Click links to check
for PDF/JPEG Files
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