What is Rainforestation?
Rainforestation Typologies
Rainforestation can be carried out to achieve a number of different land use management objectives. These objectives can be divided into the following three major categories: production, restoration/protection, and urban enhancement, each of which can be applied to a variety of different areas. A short description of each Rainforestation type is provided below.
Production
This approach to Rainforestation is applied in areas where timber harvesting and other forms of resource extraction are permitted.
a. Plantation Areas
This production approach to Rainforestation is designed for timber production and should be applied on alienable and disposable lands where tree registration and timber harvesting are permitted. In existing tree plantations of exotic species, enrichment planting with native species is recommended.
b. Agroecosystem Areas
This production approach to Rainforestation is designed for application to existing shifting cultivation areas (kaingin) and cash crop monocultures.
Restoration/Protection
The restoration/protection approach to Rainforestation is designed for areas where the main management objective is the protection or restoration of ecosystem function:
a. Landslide Prone Areas
This restoration/protection approach to Rainforestation is designed for areas where landslides are prevalent. Dense planting of deep-rooted and leguminous tree species is recommended to minimize soil erosion and stabilize slopes. The use of tree species that grow in infertile soil conditions is also strongly recommended.
b. Critical Watershed Areas
This restoration/protection approach to Rainforestation is designed for areas where the improvement of water quantity and quality is a major concern. Dense planting of deep-rooted trees and trees with a high water storage capacity is strongly recommended to minimize runoff and improve water yield.
c. Habitat Restoration Areas
This restoration/protection approach to Rainforestation is applied in areas where biodiversity conservation is a major concern. Dense planting of fruit-bearing, flowering, and other keystone species is strongly recommended to restore habitat structure and enhance biodiversity while enticing seed dispersers into the area to accelerate the rate of natural succession.
d. Buffer Zone Areas
This restoration/protection approach to Rainforestation is applied to delineate the boundary between production and protection forests. Dense planting of forest and fruit trees is strongly suggested in order to provide additional income to farmers and forest dwellers.
e. River Stabilization Areas
This restoration/protection approach to Rainforestation is designed for areas where massive sedimentation of river channels has occurred resulting in heavy damage to the riverbanks. Dense planting of trees with deep roots and large buttresses is recommended to stabilize and control sedimentation.
Urban Enhancement
This approach to Rainforestation is applied for the purpose of creating favorable micro-habitats and promoting the appreciation of native trees in urban areas:
a. Eco-parks
This urban enhancement approach to Rainforestation is designed for areas where aesthetic values and education purposes are major concerns. Planting of native forest tree species, especially those that are highly endangered and/or have a long fruiting cycle, is strongly recommended to preserve genetic diversity.
b. Roadside Beautification Areas
This urban enhancement approach to Rainforestation is designed for road side greening and beautification. Planting deep-rooted, wind resistant trees, and/or small leafy tree species is highly recommended to stabilize the soil alongside the shoulder of the road.
c. Arboretums
This urban enhancement approach to Rainforestation is designed for areas where education and the preservation of genetic diversity are the major concerns. Planting different native forest tree species, especially those that are highly endangered, have a long fruiting cycle, or which are relatively unknown, is strongly recommended to preserve the genetic diversity.