The Relevance of Ethnicity in the Depletion and Management of Forest Resources in Northeast Luzon, Philippines

Abstract

This article deals with the importance of ethnicity in the depletion of the forest resources in the Sierra Madre (northeast Luzon, Philippines). It argues that the ethnically highly diverse population living on the forest edge shows little variation in the exploitation of available resources. All ethnic groups seem to be engaged in the same kind of activities irrespective of their cultural background. However, once resources become more scarce and the population is offered opportunities for community forestry, ethnicity becomes a highly relevant factor for the future management of diminishing resources.