Potential Spread and Management of Piper aduncum L.

in Protected Areas of Mindanao

Neil Jun S. Lobite, Christine Dawn G. Obemio, Aaron Froilan M. Raganas, Vladymir E. Rivera, Raymund Paulo C. Tirol

INTRODUCTION| The invasion of spiked pepper or

Piper aduncum L. (locally called buyo-buyo) in some
protected areas in Mindanao threaten the integrity of
forest ecosystems, agricultural communities and
livelihoods of people.

METHODS| Using species distribution modelling

(Maxent), this study determined the potential range of P.
aduncum in Mindanao through habitat suitability model.
As companion model, multi-criteria analysis (MCA) was
employed to evaluate a number of options for managing
P. aduncum using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and
expected value approach (EVA).

RESULTS| SDM simulation indicated that suitable areas for P.

Aduncum are in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
North Cotabato, Davao Del Sur, Compostela Valley, Surigao Del
Norte, Bukidnon and Sarangani. This species is expected to encroach
in protected areas in Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, North Cotabato
and Misamis Occidental. Both AHP and EVA models indicated that
reforestation of native flora is the most preferred management option
as this provides the best combination of cost-effectiveness, increase
floral heterogeneity, and improved social capital for stakeholders.

Figure 1: Species Distribution Modelling Procedure using Maxent

POTENTIAL IMPACTS| If left unmanaged, the

eventual dominance of spiked pepper on agricultural
landscapes will compromise crop productivity and
threaten the entire agricultural systems of small scale
producers that are the base of food, livelihood and
nutrition security of millions of farmers in Mindanao. Figure 2: Predicted spread (current climate) Figure 3: Predicted spread (future climate)

Figure 5: Management options by AHP Figure 6: Management options by EVA

CONCLUSION| Using Maxent for species distribution

modelling resulted in a number of predicted suitable areas
for the spread of P. aduncum in Mindanao. Though the
model has passed the validity test, these areas may still
change considering climate variability, land transformation
and other constraints that may affect the dispersal of P.
aduncum. Reforestation of native flora appeared to be the
most cost-effective method in containing its spread.
However, exploring a combination of management options
that take into account local capacity and resource conditions, Figure 4. Distribution suitability range increase of
P. aduncum under current (green) and future (red)
will be crucial in achieving optimum results. climate within Protected areas (blue outline).