Philippines dipterocarp research (2000-2025): Trends, gaps and future priorities
Paper Details
Philippines dipterocarp research (2000-2025): Trends, gaps and future priorities
Abstract
This review synthesizes the trajectory of Dipterocarp Research and Development (R&D) in the Philippines from 2000 to 2025, drawing from 44 Scopus-indexed publications and other key sources. It covers six core research areas, with biodiversity and conservation planning (34%) emerging as the most studied, followed by reforestation and propagation (23%), ecological dynamics and functional traits (20%), and studies on technological monitoring tools, genetic diversity, and ethnobotany. Dipterocarps are ecologically and economically vital, supporting carbon sequestration, forest resilience, and biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. Despite progress in propagation techniques and the use of remote sensing and GIS, major research gaps persist, including the lack of long-term ecological monitoring, limited integration of socio-political factors, and insufficient understanding of genetic connectivity and faunal interactions. Emerging opportunities lie in functional trait-based species selection, prioritizing native species for restoration, and applying machine learning and spatial modeling to ecological planning. This review underscores the need for transdisciplinary collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and local communities to ensure that research is both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant. A holistic approach that bridges scientific innovation with community and cultural knowledge is essential for sustaining Dipterocarp ecosystems amid mounting climate and land-use pressures. This synthesis offers strategic insights to inform policy development, forest management, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem restoration in the Philippines, while offering lessons applicable across tropical forest regions globally.
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Jay Mark G. Cortado, Angelo L. Lozano*, Reymark P. Rivera, 2026. Philippines dipterocarp research (2000-2025): Trends, gaps and future priorities. Int. J. Biosci., 28(4), 138-154.
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