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Issue
Abstract
The Roosevelt Protected Landscape (RPL) in Dinalupihan and Hermosa, Bataan, Philippines, an initial component of the National Integrated Protected Areas System, was established in 1933. Since its establishment as a protected area, the ecological integrity and naturalness of RPL is threatened by land use change and unsustainable socio-economic activities. Fieldwork was conducted in 10 sites in RPL with frequent human activities on October 2014 to determine the plant species composition and to assess their conservation status using modified instrument of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 2007-1 and IUCN. The plant resources surveyed were grasses, hardwood plants, softwood plants, weeds, and vines. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 26 families of introduced and native plant species were identified. Based on the modified conservation status assessment criteria, this study identified four critically endangered species, five endangered species, and 15 vulnerable species. Infrastructure projects, clandestine harvesting of forest resources, encroachment of local people, policy intervention, and management related issues such as meager funds and insufficient park personnel were the pressing problems of RPL. A site-specific policy intervention at the local and national level and management shift that encourages local people participation in shared management responsibilities could be viable strategies to ensure the ecological integrity and sustainable use of RPL