Policy Brief: Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Protection in the Ligawasan Marsh

The policy brief delves into the critical importance of biodiversity conservation within wetland ecosystems, focusing particularly on the Ligawasan Marsh in the Southern Philippines. Highlighting the marsh's dual role in supporting biodiversity and providing resources for surrounding communities, the brief emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive protection measures amidst mounting threats from urbanization, natural gas extraction, and conflict-driven disturbances. The initiative led by the Eco/Con Lab of the University of Southern Mindanao, funded by MOST-BARMM, aims to develop a holistic monitoring approach tailored to the community level. Through rigorous research, the project unveils alarming trends, including the negative impact of human activities on marshland health. The Marshland Impact Area (MARia) Index and freshwater invertebrate species are identified as crucial tools for assessing environmental degradation and fostering community involvement in conservation efforts. However, persistent socioeconomic disparities pose significant challenges to achieving sustainable utilization of resources within the marsh.