BANWA Archives (2004-2013)

Similarity in the Use of Medicinal Plants by Traditional Medical Practitioners (TMPs) from Three Watershed Areas in Cebu Island, Central Philippines

Naomi B. Amoin

Semi-structured interviews of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) were conducted to assess if three adjoining watershed areas (i.e., Mananga River Watershed Forest Reserve, Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, and Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve) in Cebu Island, Central Philippines, have similar ethnobotanical practices. Almost all variables such as plant parts used, herbal preparations, and different indications for which the medicinal plants are used showed similar responses suggesting the high degree of social connectivity among TMPs within the three watersheds. It was noted that the indigenous knowledge on plant use as medicine is still very much alive among the local communities.

The Flowering Habit of Nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) in Semi-wild Stands of the Davao Region, Philippines

Junaldo A. Mantiquilla

Observations on the flowering characteristics of nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) were carried out on at least 70 randomly selected palms in various semi-wild stands found in the Davao Region, Philippines (i.e., Bago Aplaya, Ecoland, and Talomo) from April 2010 until February 2011. The developmental stages of inflorescence were identified, described in detail, and arbitrarily divided according to morphological changes exhibited by the inflorescence. These developmental stages are as follows: emergence (E) stage, stage 2 (S2), pre-anthesis (PA) stage, and the antheses stage, which is divided into the female receptivity (F) stage and the male anthesis (M) stage. Among the parameters measured for each stage include the length of the inflorescence from base to tip, the number and length of staminate rachillae, and the number of female flowers. For morphological characteristics comparison of this monoecious inflorescence, different stands in Carmen, Davao del Norte, were observed. The Carmen stands were significantly more fecund compared to the Davao City stands. The former had more female flower count (61 vs. 58 per pistillate head) and more staminate rachilla count (33 vs. 17 spikes) than the latter. The final inflorescence length in Carmen was significantly taller than in Davao City (117.5 cm vs. 84.3 cm), suggesting that the plants in the former had longer tapping potential for sap production. The results have implications toward the future program of nipa hybridization to produce better varieties.

Spatio-temporal Distribution and Abundance of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) in Three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around the Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines

Raquel B. Agustin

The spatial and temporal distribution of crown-of-thorns starfish or COTS (Acanthaster planci L.) was investigated in three marine protected areas (MPAs) around the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Philippines, from December 2008 to December 2009. Methods include photo quadrat for the live coral cover and belt transect for the density of COTS and its predators. There was a significant difference in the spatial distribution of COTS among MPAs. Sanipaan Marine Park (SMP) had the highest COTS density while Coral Garden and Aundanao MPAs had the least. Variability of COTS density was attributed to percent coral cover and human intervention (i.e., COTS clean-up drive). At temporal scale, only data from SMP fitted for the analysis. There was no significant difference observed during the sampling periods conducted in April, August, and November 2009. The results suggest longer time of monitoring to cover the life span of COTS, taking into consideration the probable causes for infestation, whether anthropogenic (i.e., harvesting leading to mass spawning) or natural. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of COTS depends on the abundance of their preferred food while the temporal distribution is probably influenced by environmental conditions over time.

Consumers’ Purchasing Behavior Towards Fresh Meat in Davao City, Philippines

Nikko L. Laorden

Meat remains one of the most consumed commodities throughout the world, and it has long occupied a special place in the food intake of consumers. In the Philippines, meat volumes are predicted to increase because of the rapid increase in population and the growth of the food service sector in the country. Understanding the purchase behavior of consumers for meat products is essential in addressing inefficiency and market issues in the meat industry. This study aimed to assess the purchase behavior of consumers towards the three major meat products (i.e., beef, dressed chicken, and pork) that are consumed in Davao City, Philippines. The key respondents of this study were household decision makers of the meat purchase. The study specified a choice model with a binary or dichotomous dependent variable representing the consumer’s final choice to be explained by a set of variables including socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. Results of the logistic regression model showed that beef purchase choice was significantly affected by average monthly income, working status, household size, number of employed household members, and number of children in the household. For chicken and pork purchase choice, area and number of employed household members were the factors significantly affecting consumer purchase decision. Following consumers’ fresh meat purchase decision, meat sellers may take advantage of the higher demand on beef for income class AB and the pork and chicken demand for income classes C and DE.