The area of interest features a complex ecosystem characterized by diverse land uses, multiple socio-ecological dimensions, and various geopolitical systems. Consequently, the assessment will employ a user-defined landscape delineation approach to establish the landscape boundary. The landscape boundary is situated in the province of Southern Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines, covering 68,869 hectares (ha) or 688.69 square kilometers (sq. km.) of land. It encompasses seven (7) municipalities: Bontoc, Libagon, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus.
The economy of Southern Leyte relies on agriculture, centered around two major crops: coconut and rice or palay (Southern Leyte Provincial Government, 2022). Hence, intercropping technique has become the most common agricultural practice of the farmers in the area. This is because the technique is a promising agricultural practice capable of optimizing productivity within the constraints of limited farm space (Enerlan and Bulayog, 2020).
Along with cacao, coffee, and other fruit crops, coconut is the most dominant crop stretching from the coastal, riverside, and highlands of the landscape boundary. Among the municipalities within the landscape boundary, the municipality of Bontoc has the largest area devoted to coconut plantations, covering a total area of 68.88 sq. km or 10% of its total land area. It is followed by the municipality of Malitbog with 59.87 sq. km or 8.69% of its land area and the municipality of Sogod with 58.71 sq. km or 8.53% of its land area. Meanwhile, the municipality of Padre Burgos has the least area covered with coconut, which is about 23 sq. km or 3.34% of its total land area.Topographically, the slopes of the seven municipalities range from 8% to 18% (undulating to rolling), encompassing 283.08 sq. km or 41.18% of the total area. These areas are suitable for reforestation, agroforestry development, and perennial cropping. Land areas with slopes of about 0-8% (level to undulating) are also prevalent across the seven municipalities, covering a total area of 234.30 sq. km or 34.08%. These areas are ideal for residential and agricultural production, particularly annual cropping. On the other hand, areas with slopes greater than 50% (mountainous) constitute about 0.41 sq. km or 0.06%, encompassing Mt. Nacolod. This mountain has been designated as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) by the DENR-BMB (2019). Using spatial analysis, it was revealed that there are 8,316 ha or 83.16 sq. km, (12%) of the KBA is located within the landscape. Utilizing the land cover data from NAMRIA for 2010 and 2020, it indicates that 99% of the entire landscape has experienced no change in forest cover. This suggests ongoing efforts by the LGUs to conserve the forested areas.
Based on the Modified Coronas Classification, there are two climate types within the entire island of Leyte (Lantican, 2001). However, the locations of the seven municipalities—Bontoc, Libagon, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus—in Southern Leyte fall within climate type IV. This climate type is characterized by evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year.
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The area of interest features a complex ecosystem characterized by diverse land uses, multiple socio-ecological dimensions, and various geopolitical systems. Consequently, the assessment will employ a user-defined landscape delineation approach to establish the landscape boundary. The landscape boundary is situated in the province of Southern Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines, covering 68,869 hectares (ha) or 688.69 square kilometers (sq. km.) of land. It encompasses seven (7) municipalities: Bontoc, Libagon, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus.
The economy of Southern Leyte relies on agriculture, centered around two major crops: coconut and rice or palay (Southern Leyte Provincial Government, 2022). Hence, intercropping technique has become the most common agricultural practice of the farmers in the area. This is because the technique is a promising agricultural practice capable of optimizing productivity within the constraints of limited farm space (Enerlan
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