Institutional analysis of the conservation management for Litsea leytensis Merr. in Laguna and Quezon, Philippines

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the institutions involved in the conservation management of Litsea leytensis Merr., with the trade name Medang, a wood species preferred by carvers in the Philippines, particularly in Paete, Laguna. The art of wood carving is thriving as a culture and as a wood-based industry for Filipinos, intertwined with natural resource management, where the seeds and wildlings are collected as planting materials for the nationwide greening program, while the wood as raw material is carefully selected from a list of Philippine native species. Litsea leytensis Merr. represents the many endemic trees in the country that need serious attention for conservation because of their continuing decline in habitat and population. The study highlights in situ and ex situ conservation of L. leytensis by institutions in Laguna and Quezon. The results suggest that the rules-in-form guided the institutions in conservation management, and their interactions in the action arena were in downward, upward, and horizontal patterns. The outcomes of their interventions for L. leytensis were relevant, coherent, effective, and efficient, while project impact and sustainability were implied by the participation and community ownership of conservation activities, government policies, and funding.