Taking Care of UP’s Trees and Birds

[Third article for J109 — Science article about a UP scientist]

Despite being in the middle of a sprawling metropolis, one of the most remarkable characteristics of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus is the abundance of trees in the area—from the vast green spaces on both sides of the University Avenue to the lush canopies around the Academic Oval. However, the diversity and abundance of birds indicates that rapid urbanization is crawling its way to and within the campus.

Birds are an integral part of our ecosystem. They are vital to the growth of trees and forests which then provides us with medicine, food, and other raw materials. Birds also help in mitigating the effects of pests in agriculture and domestic ecosystems. Bird predators, which are up in the food chain, also depend on the avian fauna for food. Disruptions in this process will ultimately affect humans, who are evidently further up the chain.

Moreover, birds also give us pleasure and inspiration just by simply listening or seeing them flying about. Aside from the implicit roles of birds, they are also instrumental in helping man understand the world he lives in. Disappearance of birds could mean destruction of habitats, pollution, dominance of predators, or inefficiency of existing policies about the environment, particularly in urban ones such as Metro Manila where UP is located.

To know more about the avian fauna in the university, Dr. Benjamin Vallejo Jr., together with other scientists from UP Diliman, conducted a study in 2005. An Associate Professor from the Institute of Environmental Science of the UP College of Science, Dr. Vallejo’s expertise lies in marine biology, aquatic resources, and urban habitats and biogeography.

The 2005 study identified the species of birds in the university, which was divided into four areas. These are the College of Science (where some buildings for academic use are constructed), the Academic Oval (noted for being surrounded with trees), the open field along the University Avenue (with a number trees and vast green spaces), and the residential site (where settlements and other commercial structures are). The birds in these areas were carefully counted and identified through scientific methods, taking note of bird movements across the route.

As a model for Metro Manila’s urbanization, UP’s tropical urban landscape “still harbors a viable complex ecosystem for bird communities.” However, the populations of these birds show that the species which cannot adapt to the urban environment with increased structures and homogenized landscapes cannot compete with birds that live commensally with humans. This homogeneity is evident in the residential areas where identical low-rise buildings are located.

Indeed, the dominance of urban-exploiting species indicates the vulnerability of the endemic bird population even to “slight habitat disturbance or modifications.” These endemic birds, which are existent only in the country, include pink-bellied imperial pigeon, Philippine hanging-parrot or “kulasisi,” Philippine coucal or “kukok,” and Philippine woodpecker sometimes known as “ta-ta-li-lik” or “karpintero-maliit.” Dr. Vallejo remarked that since the study in 2005, “the abundance of these birds including the common maya and yellow vented bulbul (‘luklak/malipago’) has gone down.”

It now boils down to the ability of the people to construct (or not to construct) buildings which may adversely affect the birds in UP. This seemed to be the case in Brazil, the 2005 study noted, where a research found out that fragmentation of habitat (conversion of patches of green spaces) failed to sustain the biodiversity of birds. In Vancouver, Canada, species richness decreased with increasing urbanization. But Dr. Vallejo gives a positive take on the issue of lessening green spaces in favor of constructing buildings. He said, “It is all about ensuring that there is enough greenery left on campus. Buildings are not bad but a way must be found to construct buildings with less impact in the environment.”

Preservation and promotion of bird species now seems to be of utmost importance especially with the increasing population and rapid urbanization. Focusing in the UP Diliman campus, Dr. Vallejo suggested ensuring that “the remaining green spaces are kept green and their use harmonizes with their characteristics. I foresee this as ecologically friendly uses such as recreation, concerts, exhibitions, and others.” To be able to do this, he suggested the revival of “an old UP tradition and this is making students plant trees at the start of the academic year.”

However, to sustain the biodiversity not only of birds but of the whole ecosystem as well, more efforts must be exerted. Dr. Vallejo sees rationalizing the use of the campus as a solution. “To do this,” he explained, “we have to answer a lot of questions. Some of these are ‘How many students can Diliman host without seriously altering the green character of the campus?’ ‘How can we develop or recover a sense of community to ensure the green remains green?’ ‘Will UP Diliman students accept that they will have to share buildings?’ The idea of one college equals one building is unsustainable and expensive. UP will have to go vertical”

Dr. Vallejo further noted that rationalizing and limiting cars in the campus would also be a key factor, suggesting re-routing of the IKOT-TOKI jeeps and possibly replacing them with the e-IKOT. He also acknowledged the waste problem in the campus, asking “Can UP go zero waste? We can start by streamlining our democracy.” Dr. Vallejo also noted that “UP has to be subject to a resource and energy and audit.” Referring to a requirement for our Environmental Science I class, he added, “We have done that in class for your families!”

For now, we still have the luxury of experiencing the green haven inside the UP Diliman campus, a break from the concrete buildings, asphalt, and dust of the urban jungle. But as the mayas and luklaks continuously disappear along with their habitats, which Dr. Vallejo’s studies in the environment of UP indicate, we might have to rethink our ways. The green spaces the past and present UP Diliman community had been used to may become a far-fetched memory in the near future.