GOVPH

With the mangrove ecosystems in La Union facing threats from both natural and human-driven disturbances, science offers a path toward balance.

Meet Project MARVELS, or short for Mangrove Diversity Research as a Vulnerable Ecosystem for La Union's Sustainability.

Project MARVELS was launched in 2019 to help communities strike a balance between environmental protection and economic development by employing a multidisciplinary, science-based approach to assess mangrove diversity, identify vulnerable sites, and guide smarter, more sustainable coastal management.

“This research is a product of transdisciplinary and collaborative engagement with the Local Government Unit - City Environmental and Natural Resources Office of the City of San Fernando,” said Dr. Nikki Heherson Aldea Dagamac in an email interview.

He said that the project came about around 2019, when one of the concerns was the growing decline of the mangrove populations on some of the marine and coastal sites in San Fernando City.

“This led me, together with my collaborators from the University of Sto. Tomas Biological Science Department, Dr. Cecilia Banag-Moran, and Dr. Reuel Bennett to work on the Program INFLORAS, where the Project MARVELS is one of the components,” he said.

Funded by the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines, the two-year program entitled Integrated Floristic Assessment (INFLORAS), assessed the comprehensive floral composition of the vulnerable coastal vegetation in San Fernando City, La Union.

Dr. Dagamac said that the mangrove diversity is the natural foundation of a smart and sustainable city of San Fernando.

“In essence, mangrove diversity is the natural foundation of a smart and sustainable city of San Fernando. It strengthens coastal defenses, sustains local livelihood through aquaculture, supports the biodiversity of aquatic and protist, and contributes to climate resilience,” he said.

The assessment

Given this, the study assessed the habitat risk of mangrove (mangal) ecosystems in San Fernando City, La Union, using the InVEST Habitat Risk Assessment (HRA) model to evaluate the impacts of various anthropogenic or human-induced stressors under

three management scenarios: business-as-usual (BAU), controlled and protected (CP), and public-private partnership intervention (PPPI).

“Findings of the project showed that road structures and mangrove walks were the major contributors to high cumulative risk under BAU, while active interventions and management strategies in the CP and PPPI scenarios significantly reduced the risk from high to medium or low levels,” Dr. Dagamac said, adding that the findings are currently published in Ocean and Coastal Research.

With this, the project underscored the importance of policy-driven conservation and collaborative stakeholder action in managing mangrove ecosystems.

Further, the important information provided by the study, which included biodiversity profiles, distribution, and potential risks, was needed to construct policy recommendations to declare the remaining mangrove habitats in San Fernando as an important Critical habitat.

Additionally, the project emphasizes the need for increased awareness, sustainable practices, and volunteer efforts to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems in San Fernando City, La Union.

Recommendations

Key informant interviews also revealed that substantial contributions of volunteers in the coastal area, such as activities like coastal clean-ups, underwater clean-up initiatives, monitoring nesting turtles, planting trees, and promoting waste segregation, have resulted in a cleaner coastal area and heightened awareness regarding environmental conservation.

However, volunteers encounter challenges such as limited support, conflicts with tourists and local fishermen, as well as illegal activities.

With this, it is recommended that greater support be provided to the volunteers to sustain and augment their efforts in protecting and preserving the coastal environment.

Dr. Dagamac gladly invites science enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts to join and explore the activities in store for this year’s National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, from November 18-21, 2025.

“Take this opportunity to explore, learn, and be inspired because science is for the people, and progress begins with curiosity,” he said.

The Project MARVELS is one of the programs to be featured in this year’s 2025 NSTW celebration. Aside from this, the week-long event will also showcase activities, forums, and interactive exhibits anchored on the sub-theme: Building Smart and Sustainable Communities, which aims to showcase several R&D based and scientific services that would offer long-term solutions to different communities’ pressing challenges and existing limitations.

The 2025 NSTW is open to the public for free, except for some forums that may be exclusive to a specific audience. For the complete list of activities and schedule, follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nstwdost or visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph. (By Rosemarie C. Señora, DOST-STII)

Images of study sites in San Fernando, La Union (a-b) Barangay Lingsat, (c-d) Barangay Catbangen, (e-f) Barangay Carlatan. Photos by: (a,e) C.B. Moran (b) H.M. Macavinta (c,d,f). A.E. Balasta

True mangrove species (Major) found in San Fernando, La Union. (a) Rhizophora stylosa (b) Rhizophora apiculata (c) Rhizophora mucronata (d) (e) Bruguiera gymnorhiza (f) Bruguiera cylindrica (g)Lumnitzera racemosa (h) Avicennia marina (i) Ceriops zippeliana. Photos by: (a–i) H.M. Macavinta