Tag: SDG 15

UPB Faculty receive the 3rd Best Paper Award during the 2025 Agency In-House Review held at Benguet State University (BSU) last August 27-28, 2025

UPB faculty Professor Zenaida G Baoanan, former faculty Asst. Prof. Deign Frolley C. Soriano and current MS CaRE Lecturer Prof. Roscinto Lumbres, along with other co-authors, Prof. Nova D. Doyog and Prof. Lynn J. Talkasen received the 3rd Best Paper Award for the paper entitled “Land Use and Land Cover Assessment Within the Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes” during the 2025 Agency In- House Review held at the Research & Extension Building, BSU, La Trinidad, last August 27-28, 2025. The results of the paper provides a more reliable LULC for monitoring and planning for the six islands covered by the Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (BPLS). Furthermore, the technique used in the LULC assessment is shared as a reference for future studies.  The research article is published and is accessible at the Philippine Journal of Science. It is an output of the research project entitled “Popularizing Access to Biodiversity Information Data and Conservation Opportunities (PABIDACO)” spearheaded by Professor Zenaida G. Baoanan through the funding of the  Commission on Higher Education-Discovery-Applied Research and Extension Trans/Inter-disciplinary Opportunities (CHED-DARE TO).  This publication supports the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG-13 (Climate Action), SDG-14 (Life Below Water), SDG-15 (Life on Land)

New published short article out titled “An incidental observation on the facultative terrestriality of a Philippine Flying Dragon, Draco spilopterus (Wiegmann, 1834), in a post-fire regenerating pine forest in Baguio City, Luzon Island, Philippines”

The Department of Biology is pleased to highlight an important contribution to Cordillera biodiversity research through the recent observation documented by MS CaRE student Mark P. Villarubia, in collaboration with DB faculty member Arvin Jet Marcaida. In their paper, they shared the first documented incidence of facultative terrestriality in 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 in the pine-dominated forests of the Central Cordillera. The flying lizard has been observed in secondary lowland forests of Luzon, but their paper is the first to showcase its distribution in pine-dominated forests of Baguio, expanding the records on its distribution. Furthermore, the paper provides ecological notes on the flying lizard. Their full paper may be accessed through the following link: https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/86007 𝑪𝙝𝒆𝙚𝒓𝙨 𝙩𝒐 𝒅𝙞𝒔𝙘𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙧𝒊𝙚𝒔 𝒂𝙣𝒅 𝒆𝙣𝒓𝙞𝒄𝙝𝒊𝙣𝒈 𝒐𝙪𝒓 𝒌𝙣𝒐𝙬𝒍𝙚𝒅𝙜𝒆 𝒐𝙛 𝙋𝒉𝙞𝒍𝙞𝒑𝙥𝒊𝙣𝒆 𝑩𝙞𝒐𝙙𝒊𝙫𝒆𝙧𝒔𝙞𝒕𝙮!

Biology Department Holds ENVI Workshop for MS CaRE Students

Fourteen graduate students from the MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology (MS CaRE) program participated in a specialized workshop on the use of Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI), a geospatial software recently acquired by the Department of Biology through MS CaRE GTFI funds. The workshop, held last August 21. 2025 at the IB Building, University of the Philippines Baguio, aimed to provide students with essential tools and skills to support their graduate research endeavors. It opened with welcoming remarks from Asst. Prof. Jeno Rey Pagaduan, the newly appointed MS CaRE Graduate Program Coordinator. This was followed by a lecture and hands-on session led by Asst. Prof. Deign Frolley Soriano, former faculty member and one of the Department’s GIS experts. Through this training, the Department continues its commitment to equipping graduate students with advanced methodologies and resources for ecological research and conservation studies. This event supports the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-14 (Life Below Water); SDG-15 (Life on Land)

UPB students and alumni participate in research dissemination of biodiversity and ecological studies through scientific conferences

Fifteen (15) students and alumni from the Department of Biology joined the call to disseminate their respective research outputs through the recently concluded 32nd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium held at the Central Philippine University, Iloilo City, last August 12-15, 2025. Presenting his thesis outputs, MS CaRE alumnus Mr. Joseph Lemuel Asinas shared the findings of his graduate research, “Interfacing Bat Conservation and Indigenous Cultural Community Perspectives in Aran Cave System, Tuba, Benguet.” Another graduate thesis study entitled “Implications of Land Use and Land Cover Changes to Avifaunal and Malacofaunal Assemblage in Canarem Lake, Victoria, Tarlac” was presented by MS CaRE alumna Jairah T. Balisi. A current MS CaRE student, Ms. Emmeline Jirah P. Fetesio, also delivered an oral presentation on the findings of her study, “Bark Beetle Assessment of Pinus kesiya in Barangay Bakakeng Norte-Sur, Baguio City,” which was a result of her case study in CRE 261: Disturbance Ecology. Furthermore, under the oral presentation category, BS Biology alumnus and current MS CaRE student Hendrix Abenoja shared their undergraduate study entitled “Assemblage and occurrence of small, non-volant mammals along a disturbance gradient in a lowland tropical forest of La Union, Northern Luzon.” This paper is co-authored with his thesis groupmates – Hem C. Castillo and Franchesca B. Ortega, and thesis adviser Aris A. Reginaldo. A robust number of poster presentations from BS Biology alumni and MS CaRE students were also shared during the event (details below). The posters were also highlighted on stage through a one-minute PechaKucha oral presentation. Most of these poster presentations were outputs from undergraduate thesis studies under the Ecology and Systematics and General Biology areas of concentration. The posters — covering topics on plant ecology, reef biodiversity, insect ecology, freshwater ecosystems, and disturbance ecology — showcased these young minds’ earnest commitment to contribute to ecological and biodiversity conservation. Through your research dissemination efforts, we are one with you in rallying for the conservation and proper management of our natural resources. More importantly, we hope the examples you have set will inspire more students to take on biodiversity and ecological studies. The Department of Biology takes pride in your hard work! Poster Presenters Title of Presentation Carissa Collado & Eloise Myra Uyao* (MS CaRE Students, CRE 261 Output) Impact of Campsite Development on Vegetation: Assessing Environmental Disturbance in a Transformed Landscape Noel Carl L. De Los Reyes(MS CaRE Student, CRE 261 Output) Sisid Sibuyanon: Working with Local Communities to Assess Reef Biodiversity on Sibuyan Island, Romblon Province Maria Colline Angeli R. Viernes*, Carmela Isabela Beltran, Kryssy Alfonia Simon(Undergraduate study) Insect (Hexapoda) assemblage under LED Streetlights in Loakan Road, Baguio City Queenie Mae L. Marquez*, Meojanlee B. Agulla, Alyka M. Fangon*(Undergraduate study) Taxonomic Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Freycinitia (Sarakat) Species in Eva Garden, Calanasan, Apayao Stephanie Lueia*, Yvonney Freya Angeles and Shorin Grimaldo Analysis of the effects of selected environmental factors on the nesting behavior of the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle at three sites in La Union” Anna Lorraine Bie*, Julius Canlas*, Chinee Dela Cruz* Microplastic Characterization in Selected Bivalves of Agno River, Philippines Maria Victoria B. Taller*, Kirsten Ruth G. Merilles, and Julius Ryan C. Regnim Assessment of Ethnomedicinal Plants Used by Yapayao of Adams, Ilocos Norte and the Analysis of Their Secondary  Metabolites and Bioactivity in Mice Joanna Marie Reyes (MS CaRE Student) Biomass and Carbon Stock Assessment on Four (4) Sites at the Subic Bay Freeport Forest *Attending author The presentations support the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG-14 (Life Below Water), SDG-15 (Life on Land)

CALL FOR DOST INTERNS for the project “Baseline Biodiversity and Socio-economic Survey at the proposed geothermal plant in Bokod, Benguet”

🌿𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐒! Open to all undergraduates:Join the Baseline Biodiversity and Socio-economic Survey at the proposed geothermal plant in Bokod, Benguet. Open slots:✅ Microbiology (2)✅ Botany (2)✅ Zoology (2)✅ Freshwater Ecology (1) 📧 Submit your application letter and list of electives to: mtbagangao@up.edu.ph🗓️ 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 (𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲) Don’t miss this chance to contribute to a meaningful biodiversity project! We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-5 (Gender Equality); SDG-8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) SDG-15 (Life on Land)

Department of Biology faculty members awarded the Cordillera Research Center – Interdisciplinary Research Grant (CSC-ITRG) for their project: “Microbial Diversity in Mine Tailings of Tube, Benguet: Influence of Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Properties”

Congratulations to our esteemed faculty members 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 – 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐒𝐂-𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐆) for their project: “𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐚, 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭: 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.” This study aims to assess microbial diversity in mine tailings, providing vital insights into biomining and bioremediation, with potential applications in preventing acid mine drainage (AMD) and promoting environmental restoration.Project Proponents:🔬 Asst. Prof. Jay-Ann A. Tallad, MSc – Department of Biology, UP Baguio🔬 Ms. Mae-ann F. Am-amlan, MSc – Department of Biology, UP Baguio🔬 Asst. Prof. Mac Michael Rubio – Department of Physical Sciences, UPBaguioPioneering research for sustainable mine waste management in the Cordillera! ⛏️🦠🌱 We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-15 (Life on Land)

Department of Biology faculty members receive the Cordillera Research Center – Interdisciplinary Research Grant (CSC-ITRG) for their project “Unlocking the Potential of Dried Pine Needles: Applications for Agricultural Productivity and Soil Rehabilitation

Congratulations to our esteemed faculty members for receiving the 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 – 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐒𝐂-𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐆) for their project: “𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬: 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.” This innovative study explores microorganism-assisted decomposition of pine needles for soil rehabilitation, crop productivity, and use as poultry feed additive.Project Proponents:🔬 Prof. Zenaida G. Baoanan, PhD – Department of Biology, UPBaguio🔬 Asst. Prof. Jennifer B. Antonio, MSc – Department of Physical Science, UPBaguio🔬 Dr. Jocelyn Zarate – BIOTECH, UP Los Banos🔬 Asst. Prof. Kimberly P. Paglingayen, MSc – Department of Biology, UPBaguioA big step toward sustainable environmental solutions in the Cordillera! 🌲🌱 We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-15 (Life on Land)

New publication entitled “Baguio’s Biodiversity Greenprint: Conserving and Protecting the City’s Natural Heritage” by the Department of Biology faculty

Congratulations to our esteemed faculty members and researcher from the Department of Biology, College of Science, UP Baguio, for their outstanding contribution to the 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 under the 𝐔𝐏𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 – 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐔𝐏 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐨! ✨ 📄 “𝑩𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒐’𝒔 𝑩𝒊𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒕: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆” lays down a timely and vital roadmap for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable urban planning in Baguio City. 👏 Kudos to the team:🔬 Asst. Prof. Deign Frolley C. Soriano, MSc🔬 Asst. Prof. Arvin Jet B. Marcaida, PhD🔬 Prof. Romeo M. Dizon, PhD🔬 Asst. Prof. Jeno Rey R. Pagaduan, MSc🔬 Prof. Zenaida G. Baoanan, PhD🔬 Prof. Roland M. Hipol, PhD🔬 Ms. Madonna C. Daquigan, MSc Your work is a significant step toward a greener, more sustainable Baguio and a valuable resource for local and regional environmental policymaking! 🌎🌲 📎 Read the full brief here: https://cids.up.edu.ph/download/baguios-biodiversity-greenprint-conserving-protecting-citys-natural-heritage/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKg8W9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEydTZ6T2J1Uk0xOWlJRVU2AR7EMrYLkYAON1tGfIPsj_JGT5bCaBZ7PyvcM-SriJa7JDhwsFsI8giA0rmVnw_aem_A8xtgPaByu7nrBp3yaLerQ We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-15 (Life on Land)

The Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio celebrates the International Day of Biodiversity 2025

The Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio celebrates the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 with the theme “𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕.” We want to showcase the rich biodiversity of the Philippines, particularly ones that are found in areas of Northern Luzon and the Cordillera Region such as the Blue-headed Fantail (𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘤𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘴) , Luzon Narrow-mouthed Frog (𝘒𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘥𝘢), 𝘓𝘦𝘶𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, Northern Luzon giant cloud rat (𝘗𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘦𝘰𝘮𝘺𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘴), 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘢, and 𝘋𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘢. We call on everyone to conserve and protect our biological and ecological heritage through scientific research, environmental education and advocacy work, and sustainable action. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-14 (Life on Water); SDG-15 (Life on Land)

New publication entitled “Bacterial pathogens of non-native rodents and shrews of Busol WAtershed and Forest Reservation, Baguio City” by the Department of Biology faculty

Warmest congratulations to 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐏. 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐧, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌. 𝐆𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐳, and 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐉. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐲of the Department of Biology, UP Baguio, for the publication of their study: “𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐨𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲”  📚SciEnggJ, Vol. 18 (Supplement), 2025 | 🔗https://doi.org/10.54645/202518SupIBG-91 This study explores the bacterial pathogens present in invasive rodents and shrews inhabiting the Busol Watershed—an important forest reserve and water source in Baguio City. By identifying zoonotic risks and potential public health concerns, the research offers valuable information for local disease monitoring and ecosystem health management. It also emphasizes the ecological impacts of non-native species on protected urban environments. 🔬🌍 👏 A vital step toward understanding and mitigating ecological and health threats from biological invasions. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-14 (Life Below Water); SDG-15(Life on Land)