Biodiversity, plant management and craft knowledge in the Batanes islands, northern Philippines

The Batanes islands are located in the northern Philippines, it is a biodiversity hotspot that

naturally preserves an endemic flora. It straddles the Huxley Line and marks the northern limit of

Malay flora, and the eastern limit of Indo-Himalayan flora. The Batanes Protected Landscape

and Seascape is recognized as a key biodiversity area, with a high number of endemic species,

and it plays a crucial role in conserving tree biodiversity, including endemic and threatened

species.

The rough climate and the isolated context of these islands have shaped the Ivatan people's

culture. They are self-reliant people who possess a rich sea-oriented culture and a deep

knowledge of useful local plants. This presentation aims to provide an overview of the rich

relationship between plants and people in terms of indigenous ecological knowledge associated

with comparative anatomy, with a focus on traditional basketry.

The most common group of plants used in basketry is the monocotyledons, these plants do not

produce wood. Therefore, their vascular system is never renewed and needs to be protected with

fibrous caps. These are the fibres used in basketry. Basket-makers have a thorough knowledge of

the physical properties of different plants and use their specific characteristics to create a variety

of useful objects. For example the rattan palm tree's Valit - Calamus batanensis stem is used to

create a flexible and resistant basket. This palm's strategy in the forest is to climb over other

plants to reach the canopy. Its vascular system has its own cells which allow it to bend while

protecting its vascular system throughout the plant.

Beyond plant knowledge inputs, basketry plays an active role in the local economy, particularly

tourism. Itbayat is the northern and most isolated island of the Batanes archipelago and is

accessible only by boat. The Batanes region has decided to centralise the sale of baskets in Basco

to ensure more equal access to the tourist market for all basket makers. Basketry activities also

benefit people's economy especially women and ensure a secure plant management system as

most basket makers use plants from the seashore to the forest.