Urbanization adjacent to a wetland of international importance: The case of Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Metro Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

The concentration of human population and development in wetland margins necessitated the identification and establishment of areas for conservation. However, change in the socio-economic and built-up environment particularly in urbanizing municipalities continue to impact the state of the protected wetland. This study highlights this phenomenon and focuses on the relation between urbanization and a wetland of international importance in Metro Cebu, Philippines. Urbanization adjacent to the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (OIWS), the first Ramsar Site of the Philippines, is analyzed in terms of land cover change and population growth before and after the declaration of the protected area in 1992. The results show that percent change in urban cover intensified from 1973 to 1992 (1.29%) to 1992–2007 (18.53%). This can be attributed to the prioritization of the expansion of urban space in Metro Cebu. On the other hand, percent population growth is much higher in 1970–1980 (47.14%) and 1980–1990 (34.00%) before the proclamation of OIWS. Shift in the availability and accessibility of the types of primary and alternative sources of income in fishing communities indicate the influence of urbanization. Perceived problems in fishing reflect the environmental effects of urbanization such as oil spill, solid waste mismanagement, and reclamation projects that relate to the decrease in fish stock. Upon empirical evidence of the impact of OIWS to the restrained rate of urban cover expansion and population growth, education of surrounding urban population on the benefits of conservation should be enhanced. The geographical position of OIWS relative to areas of active urbanization requires a regional level evaluation of environmental quality of the protected ecosystem. This study recommends that conservation policies should take into account the historical urbanization phenomenon within the region of protected areas.