Rafflesia panchoana from Mt. Makiling, Luzon and R. manillana from Basey, Samar compared

Rafflesia manillana from  Basey, Samar (photo by RTD

                     Dr. M.Ragub and his research staff,  DENR Region VIII, Tacloban City.

                                Rafflesia panchoana from  Mt. Makiling, Laguna (previously

                                named R. manillana). (Photo by Prof.K. Mat Salleh, deceased)

The past ten years saw a dramatic increase in the number of Rafflesia species described  in the Philippines. From the original two species described in 1841 (R. manillana Teschem.) and in 1885 (R. schadenbergiana Goeppert)  eleven  more species were described  as new to science  starting in 2002 and the latest in 2011.

One of these species was described in  2007 from Mt. Makiling in Laguna. It was named  R. panchoana Madulid, Buot & Agoo in honor of  Juan V. Pancho,  Professor of Botany at the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines at Los Banos. Earlier this species was often cited as R. manillana. apparently because of  its small size, (i.e. open flower about 15 to  20 cm diameter) similar to the Rafflesia from Basey, Samar.

Careful study of the original description (protologue) of R. manillana and detailed examination of actual specimens recently collected from the type locality in Basey, Samar revealed that the Rafflesia  from Samar is markedly different from the one in Mt. Makiling. The most obvious morphological difference between the two species is that in  R. manillana the diaphragm is conspicously  incurved and the orifice or mouth of the diaphragm is small that the inner side of the perigone tube cannot be seen from above. In  R. panchoana the  diaphragm is slightly upright, and  the opening or orifice is relatively wide, leaving the lower inner side of the perigone tube clearly seen  from above. The color of the diaphragm is also obviously different in that in R. manillana it is creamy white when the flower is newly opened, turning creamy orange when the flower matures whereas in  R. panchoana the color of the diaphragm is reddish brown when newly opened, turning deep reddish brown when older. There are other morphological differences between the two species such as the shape and location of the windows and the number of processes on the disk. These are discussed in the publications:  Madulid, D.A., Buot, I. and Agoo, E.M.G. Rafflesia panchoana, a new species from Luzon Island, Philippines. Acta Manillana 55:43-48 (2007) and Madulid, D.A. and Agoo, E.M.G. On the identity of Rafflesia manillana Teschem. (Rafflesiaceae). Philippine Scientist 44:57-70 (2007). D.A. Madulid

          

UPOU’s FMDS and Yakap Kalikasan hold Talakayang Kagubatan

The Faculty of Management & Development Studies (FMDS) and Yakap Kalikasan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Pilipinas, Inc. (Yakap Kalikasan) conducted the Talakayang Kagubatan on July 26, 2011 at the Oblation Hall, UPOU Headquarters. The Talakayang Kagubatan is part of a series of fora organized by the FMDS Committee on International Year of Forests (IYF) in celebration of the 2011 IYF.

The first part of the forum aimed to orient the participants on the situation and challenges currently facing Philippine forests as well as the various opportunities and programs related to sustainable forest management.

Four speakers were invited to share their expertise and experiences on sustainable forest management. Forester Nonito Tamayo, Assistant Director of the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management (DENR), shared the current situation of the Philippine forests and the challenges faced by DENR as the national agency mandated to manage the country’s environment and natural resources. He also presented the various programs of DENR on sustainable forest management.

A representative from the people’s organization involved in Mount Makiling was also invited to share his personal experiences as upland farmer. Kagawad Florencio Dalma, former president of the Samahan ng Magbubukid sa Paligid ng Bundok Makiling, shared how the upland farmers in Bagong Silang became partners in sustainable forest management.

Ms. Riselle Ahilon, a student of the College of Forestry and Natural Resource Management of UP Los Banos, also shared her experiences as a forestry student and part of the youth sector involved in forest management and conservation.

Mr. Glenn Paul Flores of Bantay Kalikasan-ABS CBN Foundation talked about “Green Corporate Social Responsibilty: Business in Forest Management.” Mr. Flores shared the success story of La Mesa Watershed as a result of partnership between government and private institutions.

In the second part of the forum, the participants were called to join the “Kamalayang Kalikasan ng mga Bata (KKB): A Kids-To-Forest Project of FMDS and Yakap Kalikasan.” This project is part of the expansion activity of the UPOU Earth Ambassadors. It will expose the children and youth to forest areas, agencies or offices involved in forestry matters, as well as business enterprises that showcase actual production of forest products or services that help conserve forest resources.

A total of 50 participants from various sectors and institutions attended the forum and expressed interest in the Kids-To-Forest Project. They came from: LGU Los Banos, Bagong Silang, Bitin Elementary School, Gawad Kalinga-Putho, Christian School International, Bucal Elementary School, Pansol Elementary School, E. Baretto Elementary School, Dayap Elementary School, Sto. Domingo Elementary School, Barangay Malinta, Puypuy Elementary School, The Learning Place, Barangay Lalakay, UP Rural High School, Dayap National High School.

Dr. Consuelo Habito, Program Chair of the Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management gave the opening remarks. The forum was facilitated by both FMDS and Yakap representatives (Joane Serrano).

http://www2.upou.edu.ph/component/content/article/66-news-2011/488-upous-fmds-and-yakap-kalikasan-hold-talakayang-kagubatan