THE BIODIVERSITY INDEX

In 1992United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro defined biodiversity as "the variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems".

The Philippines is one of the Biodiversity Hotspots in the world. Meaning, our country has one of the highest diversity of living organisms in the planet. It earned the “hotspot” title since we are losing that diversity fast.

A possibly unidentified species of rafflesia, a rare flower known for having the world's largest bloom, has turned up in a forest in Compostela Valley, according to a team of botanists headed by Dr. Domingo Madulid, a curator at the National Museum's botany division.

The exact location of the flower has not been disclosed. The team fears that avid plant collectors might go to the area and collect the bloom. Local officials and residents of the area disclosed that the flower is common in the area. In fact, they are waiting for other buds to bloom.

The main “attraction” (if we may call it that) aside from its large size its very pungent odor when it blooms. The odor is comparable to that of a rotting or decomposing small animal. I recall a conversation with a tribal leader in one of the towns located along the eastern coast of Mindanao who disclosed to me last summer the presence of a similar flower in their forest. It seems that this flower is resident in our forests.

Another characteristic of the Rafflesia is its “parasitic” nature. It only grows on the Tetrastigma vine, which crawls on rainforest floors. Rainforests in Mindanao are usually old growth dipterocarp forests. The existence of the Rafflesia therefore depends largely on the presence of the dipterocarps.

No dipterocarp, no vine. No vine, no Rafflesia.

The National Museum, Botany Division is excited about the find. This will be the fourth species of the Rafflesia found in the Philippines. This increases our Biodiversity Index.

But there are other people who see the ipterocarp forest as a source of good lumber. In fact, some officials have made representations with national government agencies to lift the log ban in Southern Mindanao so dipterocarps can be harvested. The logic behind this is: The money earned from the sale of the logs can contribute to the national economy.

Now we have to make a choice. Rafflesia or Lumber from dipterocarps.

How much can a large, smelly flower possibly earn, compared to 60 to 80 year old harvestable dipterocarps? If you were to make the choice what would it be? What would you do?

Till next week. ;-)!