PANABO CITY – Dr. Nickel Jean Lagare-Sastine, faculty member of the Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity department and dean of the Institute of Advanced Studies, was among the presenters in a mini-symposium held at the University of Sto. Tomas, Sampaloc, Manila on March 3, 2023. The symposium featured the result of the studies under the SAKALAM Program or Surveys, Assessments, and Environmental Monitoring of Key Economic Activities and Livelihoods Associated in the Mangrove Ecosystems of Del Carmen, Siargao Island.

The program was implemented on March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023 and is under Project Biomes: Biodiversity Assessments and Monitoring of Mangrove Ecosystems, a collaborative project between the University of the Philippines Los Baños – Institute of Biological Sciences (UPLB-IBS) and the Department of Agriculture – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI). Dr. Lagare-Sastine’s paper was entitled, “From Fab to Lab: Exploring Non-Charismatic Brachyuran Fauna in Del Carmen, Siargao”.

It revolved around the study of Brachyuran Fauna, specifically the diversity of Decapod Crustacean that can be found in mangrove forests. The paper hopes to contribute to the biodiversity data that Project Biomes will utilize to solidify the application of Del Carmen, Siargao as a new Ramsar Site. If approved, it will be protected under an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, especially as waterfowl habitats.

The event was attended by the Executive Director of the National Research Council of the Philippines, Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, NRCP President, Dr. Cristine D. Villagonzalo, and the municipal mayor of Del Carmen, Siargao, Hon. Alfredo Matugas Coro II.