CLIMATE CHANGE: KNOWING EFFECTS

ON AGRICULTURE & COMMUNICATING

CTK ON CLIMATE BIOINDICATORS

JOYCE S. WENDAM, CESO IV

DR.DEV, PH.D., DCOMM
Professor, ISCOF Graduate School (part-time)
Former OIC-Regional Executive Director, DA Negros Island Region (NIR)
Owner/Consultant - WENDAM AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
CONSULTANCY SERVICES
INTRODUCTION
• Global Climate Risk Index 2015 listed the Philippines
as number one most affected country by climate
change, using 2013 data.
• Philippines is located in the western Pacific Ocean,
surrounded by naturally warm waters that will likely
get even warmer as average sea-surface
temperatures continue to rise.
• Philippines lacks natural barriers; as a collection of
over 7,000 islands there is almost nothing standing
between them and the sea.
• In addition to their coral reefs, one of the best buffers
against typhoons are the Philippine mangrove
ecosystems.
• These mangroves help mitigate the impact of storm surge
and stabilize soil but have disappeared by almost half
since 1918 due to deforestation.
• However, as the ocean’s surface temperature increases
over time from the effects of climate change, more and
more heat is released into the atmosphere. This additional
heat in the ocean and air can lead to stronger and more
frequent storms – which is exactly what we’ve seen in the
Philippines over the last decade.
• Other natural factors, like regional wind patterns or
currents, can also increase the risk of tropical storms.
• Geography plays a role here, as these factors affect
different areas of the country differently, due to their
unique circumstances.
• A report by the Philippine Department of Environment
and Natural Resources shows how the various regions
in the Philippines can face a range of climate threats,
based on where they sit on the map (next slide).
Source: Eco Watch (https://www.ecowatch.com/how-is-climate-change-affecting-the-philippines-1882156625.html) (from a
report of Philippine DENR).
• The map also shows the regions most vulnerable to sea-level
rise, another detrimental effect of climate change that can be
exacerbated by the storm surge from tropical storms.
• Sea levels in the Philippines are rising at about twice the
global average. And when especially strong storms like
Typhoon Haiyan make landfall, this higher sea level
contributes to storm surge that can rise upwards of 15–20
feet, displacing thousands or even millions of citizens in
coastal communities.
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
• Climate change is defined as:
“a change in the statistical properties of the climate system
that persists for several decades or longer - usually at
least 30 years.”
• Climate change may be due to:
 natural processes such as changes in the sun’s radiation,
volcanoes or internal variability in the climate system, or
 due to human influences such as changes in the
composition of the atmosphere or land use (Australian Academy
of Science article entitled “What is climate change?”)
Some Effects of Climate Change
• An average increase in Earth's temperature during the
last century
• Melting of polar ice - polar bears and other animals are
drowning
• Migrating birds are forced to change their time and place
of migration
• Melting of glaciers will lead to higher sea level, which will
cause floods and put many low-elevation regions at risk
of disappearing under water
Some Effects of Climate Change
• Longer summers can disrupt animal habitation
• New and widespread diseases because of warm climate
• Damaged crops due to sudden climate change and floods
• Average precipitation increase around the world
• Droughts, heat waves, extreme winters and storms,
hurricanes, typhoons
• More wildfires
Waves crash around the Oceana Pier as the outer edges of Hurricane Florence begin
to affect the coast in Atlantic Beach.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images (https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/death-by-
hurricane.htm)
How does a wildfire occur?

On a hot summer day, when drought

conditions peak, something as small
as a spark from a train car's wheel
striking the track can ignite a raging
wildfire. Sometimes, fires occur
naturally, ignited by heat from the sun
or a lightning strike. However, the
majority of wildfires are the result of
human carelessness.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wildfire&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-
8&client=firefox-b
How Is Climate Change Affecting the Philippines?
• Ten deadliest typhoons of the Philippines between 1947 and
2014.
- Haiyan - Bopha
- Thelma - Trix
- Ike - Amy
- Fengshen - Nina
- Washi Durian
• Five of the 10 deadliest typhoons to hit the Philippines have come
since 2006, affecting and displacing thousands of citizens every time.
Seven of these 10 deadly storms each resulted in more than 1,000
casualties.
How Is Climate Change Affecting the Philippines?
• On average, about 20 tropical cyclones enter Philippine waters
each year, with eight or nine making landfall.
• Deadliest storm on record in the Philippines is Typhoon Haiyan,
known locally as Typhoon Yolanda which is responsible for more
than 6,300 lost lives, over four million displaced citizens, and $2
billion in damages in 2013.
• Over the past decade, these tropical storms have struck the
nation more often and more severely, scientists believe, because
of climate change.

(https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/how-climate-change-affecting-philippines)
• Huge weather event 2013 was Super-
Typhoon Haiyan (called “Yolanda” in the
Philippines, where it struck hardest).
Although the North Atlantic had its quietest
hurricane season since 1994, Haiyan more
than made up for it in the western North
Pacific.
• Haiyan had the highest wind speed ever
assigned to a tropical cyclone, and an
unusually high storm surge. Said a recent
weather and climate science publication:
“Although Haiyan’s meteorological life cycle
is measured in weeks, its impact on
humanity within and beyond the region will
be measured in generations.”
• (https://planetsave.com/2014/08/28/weather-and-climate/ )
Likely Effects of Global Warming in the Philippines

• Sea level rise

• Temperature, rainfall and tropical cyclone activity . . .

. . . . Which then cause impacts on other sectors:

- agriculture;
- forests; and,
- water resources.
(https://www.slideshare.net/meih/climate-change-and-the-philippines-1315236)
Downstream Effects of the Philippine Changing
Climate
• Energy:
- Bulk of power supply in the Philippines comes from
hydroelectricity
- Any decrease in rainfall means more reliance on
imported coal and oil.
• Agriculture:
- Less rain or too much rain means less harvest
- Changes in timing of rain also critical
 - CO rise favors crops, but weeds like it more.
2
- CO rise can enhance corn growth, but only in roots
2
and stalk, not its edible parts.
• Forests and biodiversity
- Moist forests will shrink, turn into dry forests
- GW may raise flood risk, worsening habitat
degradation and species loss
- Human impact still much more damaging
Downstream Effects of the Philippine Changing Climate

• Health
- Disease vectors (i.e. mosquitoes) will expand
range
- Displacement due to disasters will be a worsening
health issue
• Water Resources
- Rainfall is decreasing over Luzon and parts of
Mindanao where dams are found
Downstream Effects of the Philippine Changing Climate
- Rainfall is increasing in the Visayas where there are
no major dams
- Sea level rise may cause salinity intrusion, Laguna
Lake at risk
• Marine Resources
- Warmer temperatures can kill coral (as in 1998)
- Higher CO in atmosphere can disrupt carbonate
2
chemistry, make shell and bone formation difficult
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
• Difference between weather and climate is a measure of time.
• Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short
period of time.
• Climate is how the atmosphere “behaves” over relatively long
periods of time.
• In popular usage, climate represents the synthesis of weather,
more formally, it is the weather of a locality averaged over some
period (usually 30 years) plus statistics of weather extremes.

Source: (Article of NASA entitled “What’s the Difference between Weather and
Climate.”)
Weather and Climate
• Climate is defined as
statistical weather
information that describes
the variation of weather at a
given place for a specified
interval.
• Weather is the day-to-day
state of the atmosphere,
and its short-term (minutes
to weeks) variation.
Comparison of Climate and Weather
CLIMATE
Definition Describes the average conditions
expected at a specific place at a
given time. A region’s climate
is generated by the climate system,
which has five components:
atmosphere, hydrosphere,
cryosphere, land surface, and
biosphere
Components Climate may include precipitation,
temperature, humidity, sunshine,
wind velocity, phenomena such as
fog, frost, and hail storms over a
long period of time
WEATHER
Describes the atmospheric
conditions at a specific place at a
specific point in time. Weather
generally refers to day-to-day
temperature and
precipitation activity.
Weather includes sunshine, rain,
cloud cover, winds, hail, snow,
sleet, freezing rain, flooding,
blizzards, ice, storms,
thunderstorms, steady rains from
a cold front or warm front,
excessive heat, heat waves and
more
Comparison of Climate and Weather
CLIMATE WEATHER
Forecast By aggregates of weather By collecting
statistics over periods of meteorological data, like
30 years air temperature,
pressure, humidity, solar
radiation, wind speeds
and direction etc.

Determining Factors Aggregating weather Real-time measurements

statistics over periods of of atmospheric pressure,
30 years (“climate temperature, wind speed
normal”) and direction, humidity,
precipitation, cloud cover,
and other variables
Comparison of Climate and Weather
CLIMATE WEATHER
About Climate is defined as Weather is the day-to-
statistical weather day state of the
information that atmosphere, and its
describes the variation of short-term (minutes to
weather at a given place weeks) variation
for a specified interval

Time Period Measured over a long Measured for short term

period

Study Climatology Meteorology

Source:www.diffen.com/difference/Climate_vs_Weather
Climate Change Impacts in the Philippines
Climate change impacts in the Philippines may include the
following:
 sea level rise and flooding
 frequency of occurrence of rainfall-induced landslides
 potential decline of agriculture and fisheries production
 water shortage
 reduced income and increasing hunger and poverty
incidence
 human health threats (Espaldon, et al. (n.d.) .
Climate impacts on agriculture

• Food production in all regions will be negatively impacted

by climate change. Maize will be hard hit, as will rain-fed
rice and sugarcane fields in some regions.

• Western Luzon's rain-fed rice production with low fertilizer

use will be negatively impacted. Climate change will in
some cases decrease yields by more than 20%.
Climate impacts on agriculture

• Livestock will also be decreasing aross the country, due to decline in

productivity and increased prices.
• However, the indirect effect, through prices and trade, adds another
dimension to the findings. Higher global prices for agricultural
commodities in the future will help support increased incomes and
agriculture productivity and yields in some regions the authors
conclude.
• Higher food and agricultural prices still present challenges though, as
the country is a net food importer. Higher prices also present significant
challenges for resource-poor populations given that a disproportionate
amount of their household budgets are already spent on food.
Addressing Climate Change in Agriculture
• Adaptation strategies that may be put in place:

 horizontal and vertical diversification of crops

 farmer field schools which incorporate use of
weather/climate information in agricultural operations,
including policy environment for subsidies and climate-
friendly agricultural technologies

 weather-based insurance
 research agenda on resilient marine sector may form part
of long-term planning for this subsector (Espaldon et al.
(n.d.).
Adaptation Techniques in Agriculture

31
Adaptation strategies for the Philippines
Potential climate adaptive strategies that may help farmers improve
their resilience to climate change:

 Continue investments in agriculture research

 Develop shorter-duration crop varieties
 Look into climate-smart agriculture practices
 Increased use of fertilizers especially manure or nitrogen-fixing
plants
 Improved irrigation
Climate Field School (CFS): An Innovative Approach
to Agricultural Adaptation

33
Climate Field School (CFS) at Dumangas, Iloilo
• Dumangas is the 1st in the Philippines and 2nd in Asia to
adopt Climate Field School Program.
• CFS Program started in 2007 as local government’s initial
step to respond to concerns of farmers and fisher folk and
to help them adjust to adverse impacts of climate change.

• CFS helps farmers and fisher folk increase farm and

fishery production.
• Enhances farmers' and fisher folk's adaptive capacity
while addressing poverty and reducing vulnerability and
their causes.
Brgy. Balabag, Dumangas, Iloilo. Flooding caused by heavy rains in the mountains
causing damage on production areas. Photo taken last November 2017.
CFS at Dumangas, Iloilo
• Implemented CFS as an innovative disaster risk reduction
and climate change adaptation strategy for agriculture
and fisheries.
• CFS taught farmers and fisher folk how to read rainfall
data with use of rain gauge for sound decision-making in
agriculture.
• It also taught farmers how to make improvised rain gauge
as source of their rainfall data (made of empty plastic
bottle (one gallon capacity), 6-liter mineral water bottle
and 50 ml mineral water bottle as measuring tube).
A rain gauge for rainfall data information as guide of farmers in decision-making.
Weather Forecasting: The Indigenous Way

• Traditional weather forecasting knowledge was in the

form of bioindicators and their physical factors that -
include:
- wind direction;
- time of the year;
- color of sky; and,
- position of stars (Rautela and Karki, 2015).
COLLECTIVE TACIT KNOWLEDGE

39
What are Bioindicators

40
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF BIOINDICATORS
• According to Zommers (2014), bioindicators for climate-
related hazards have several potential benefits for early
warning systems:
 First, they are socially relevant.
- They can be used to encourage stakeholder
participation in early warning system
development and maintenance.
 Second, hazard bioindicators are potentially
practical and methodologically relevant.
- They are far less expensive than infrastructure or
technology used in current warning systems.
- They can be easy to monitor and an inexpensive
way to collect data, especially if local
communities are involved.
List of Documented Climate Bioindicators, Observation &
Forecast
Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(1) Flourishing of - Flourishing - High humidity,

mushrooms, both edible mushrooms, imminent rain
and wild, is considered both edible and
to indicate imminent wild
rain as the same is
associated with high
humidity
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(2) Appearance of young - Appearance of -Forthcoming

leaves and grass is young leaves good rains
considered to indicate and grasses in
good rains the pastures
(3) Dropping of fruits or - Dropping of -Forthcoming
drying of flowers before fruits or drying very dry
maturity is considered of flowers before season
to indicate forthcoming maturity
very dry season
(4) Big volume of morning - Big volume of -Hot weather
dew in the grasses is morning dew in
considered to indicate the grasses
hot weather
44
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(5) Leaves are falling; it is - Leaves are - Hot weather

considered to indicate hot falling
weather
(6) Appearance of ants and - Appearance of - Good rains
rapidly increasing size of ants and rapidly
of anthills which are increasing size
moist are considered to of anthills which
indicate good rains are moist
(7) Appearance of ants and - Appearance of - Increase in
increase in size of anthills ants and temperature
are considered to increase in the
indicate warming of size of anthills
weather
45
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(8) If ants come out in - If ants come out - Imminent

large numbers and in large numbers rains
change place, it is and change place
considered to
indicate rains
(9) If ants climb the wall, - If ants climb the - Imminent
it indicates rains wall rains
(10) If ants climb toward - If ants climb - Bad
the roof of the house, toward the roof weather or
it indicates bad of the house storm
weather or storm

46
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(11) If black ants move in - If black ants - Imminent

a row, it is a sign that move in a row rains
rain may likely fall in a
short period. Increase
in humidity triggers
the ants to carry their
eggs to a safer place

(12) If the spiders leave - If the spiders - Indicates

their webs, this is leave their webs rains
considered to indicate
rains

47
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(13) Large number of winged - Large number of - Indicates

termites (“raga-raga”) winged termites rains
being attracted to lights (“raga-raga”)
is considered to indicate being attracted
rains to lights
(14) Sound of crickets - Sound of crickets - Change in
chirping throughout the chirping weather
night is considered to throughout the
indicate change in night
weather
(15) When the bees come - When the bees - Clear
out of their hives, it is come out of their weather
considered a sign of hives
clear weather
48
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(16) Sign of bees moving - Sign of bees - Bad

continuously and in moving weather
large numbers towards continuously and and rain
their hives is in large numbers
considered to indicate towards their hives
bad weather and rain
(17) Bees/locusts moving - Bees/locusts - Bad
in clusters in the sky is moving in clusters weather or
considered to indicate in the sky storm
bad weather or storm
(18) Dragon flies moving in - Dragon flies - Imminent
swarms indicates moving in swarms rainfall
imminent rainfall
49
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(19) Flies bite cattle to - Flies bite cattle - Coming of

take shelter, it to take shelter bad
indicates coming weather or
of bad weather or storm
storm
(20) If an insect locally - If an insect - Hot
known as “sitsiritan” locally known weather
chirps, it indicates as “sitsiritan”
hot weather makes a sound
(21) Flocks of birds flying - Flocks of birds - Fair
high in the sky is flying high in weather
considered to the sky
indicate fair weather
50
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(22) If birds fly below their - Birds flying - Indicate

normal flight height, this below their rain or bad
is considered to indicate normal flight weather
rain or bad weather height
(23) Crow spreading and - Crow spreading - Dry spell
moving its wings near and moving its
river or source of water wings near river
is considered to indicate or source of
dry spell water
(24) Migration and - Migration and - Indicator of
immigration of birds is immigration of changing
considered an indicator birds season
of changing season
51
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(25) Birds taking dip in - Birds taking - Imminent

water is considered to dip in water rain
indicate imminent rain
(26) Arrival of migratory - Arrival of - Indicate the
birds from north to migratory approaching
south indicates the birds from of rainy
approaching of rainy north to season
season south
(27) Movement of migratory - Movement of - Sign of
birds from south to migratory rainfall
north is a sign of rainfall birds from season
season south to north

52
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(28) Sea birds, pigeons - Sea birds, - Bad

moving toward inland, it pigeons weather
indicates bad weather moving toward or storm
or storm inland
(29) Particular sound of - Particular sound - Indicate
birds together with of birds together rains
atmosphere becoming with atmosphere
unusually calm is becoming
considered to indicate unusually calm
rains
(30) Blackbirds being - Blackbirds being - Indicate
present in the area, it present in the rains
indicates rain area
53
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast
(31) Grazing cows returning - Grazing cows - Indicate
home early is returning home rains or
considered to indicate early bad
rains or bad weather weather
(32) Grazing cows returning - Grazing cows - Indicate
home early with raised returning home rains
tails is considered to earlywith raised
indicate rains tails
(33) Sight of domestic hens/ - Sight of domestic - Indicate
cocks searching food hens/cocks that rain
during rain is searching food would
considered to indicate during rain continue
that rain would continue

54
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(34) If domestic hens/cocks - If domestic - Indicate that

do not search for food hens/ cocks do rain would
during rain, it is not search for stop soon
considered that rain food during
would stop soon rain
(35) Hens crow (instead of - Hens crow - Indicate
roosters), it indicates (instead of rains
rains roosters)
(36) Croaking of frogs is - Frogs croaking - Imminent
considered to indicate rain
imminent rain

55
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast
(37) Flapping of the ear by - Flapping of the - Sign that
goats is a sign that rain ear by goats rain may
may likely to fall since likely to fall
increasing humidity
causes uneasiness and
sweating of goats,
hence, trigger the
flapping of their ears
(38) Big earthworms - Big earthworms - Indicate
(“adudulis”) coming out (“adudulis”) rain
of soil indicate rains coming out of
soil

56
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(39) Ducks appear to be - Ducks appear to - Indicate

swimming (even without be swimming rain
water) indicates rain (even without
water)
(40) If lizards are making - If lizards are - Hot
noise, it indicates hot making noise weather
weather
(41) Frogs disappearing in - Frogs - Warm
the lowland, it indicates disappearing weather
warm weather in the lowland

57
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(42) Animals and birds - Animals and birds - Occurrence

leaving the area up to leaving the area of earth-
48 hours prior to a up to 48 hours quake
major earthquake not prior to a major
returning until after earthquake not
the earthquake returning until
after earthquake
(43) Rats come out of - Rats come out of - Indicate
their burrows and their burrows and some
start to dig the start to dig the natural
ground, it is ground calamity
considered to
indicate some natural
calamity
58
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(44) Weeping-like sound of - Weeping-like sound - Bad omen

animals is considered of animals and
a bad omen and correlated
correlated with natural w/ natural
calamities calamities
(45) Abnormal behavior of - Abnormal behavior - Signs prior
animals, everything of animals, everything to the
becomes completely becomes completely occurrence
still (no movement, no still (no movement, no of earth-
sound), birds chirping sound), birds chirping quake
and flying around, and flying around,
insects cease to make insects cease to
noise and stop to move make noise and stop
around and there is total to move around and
silence and stillness there is total silence
before the earthquake and stillness
59
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(46) Seconds before - Dogs start to howl - Seconds

earthquake, dogs start and other animals before the
to howl and other become agitated earthquake
animals become and restless
agitated and restless
(47) Cattle and dogs - Cattles and dogs - Coming of
howling endlessly at howling endlessly a strong
night, it indicates coming at night storm
of a strong storm
(48) School of milkfish - School of milkfish - Bad
moving in circles moving in circles weather
restlessly, it indicates restlessly or storm
bad weather or storm

60
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(49) Dolphins or “pawikan” - Dolphins or - Bad

going ashore, it indicates “pawikan” going weather
bad weather or storm ashore or storm
(50) Crabs come into high - Crabs coming out - Bad
places, it indicates bad of waters and go to weather
weather or storm high places or storm
(51) Presence of small crabs - Presence of small - Bad
(“alikumo”) in fish pens, crabs (“alikumo”) in weather
it indicates bad weather fish pens
(52) Drift firewood in the sea - Drift firewood in the - Bad
waters standing, it sea waters weather
indicates bad weather or standing or storm
storm

61
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(53) If the weather is warm, it - If the weather is - Indicate

indicates rains warm rains
(54) Dark clouds from south - Dark clouds - Heavy rainfall
are considered to approaching w/in few hours
indicate heavy rainfall from south
within a few hours
(55) Dark clouds approaching - Dark clouds - Considered
from north are approaching to bring rain
considered to bring rain from north
(56) Dark clouds preceding - Dark clouds - Indicate
strong winds are preceding thunderstorms
considered to indicate strong winds in few hours
thunderstorms in a few
hours
62
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(57) Red/pink clouds in - Red/pink clouds - Indicate

the morning are in the morning possibility of
considered to indicate rain
possibility of rain
(58) Red/pink clouds in - Red/pink clouds - Indicate that
the evening are in the evening there would
considered to indicate be no rain
that there would be
no rain
(59) Red sky in the - Red sky in the - Indicate rains
morning is morning
considered
to indicate rain
63
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(60) Red sky in the - Red sky in the -There would

evening is considered evening be no rain
to indicate that there
would be no rain
(61) The east appearing - The east appearing - Hot weather
reddish in the morning reddish in the
indicates hot weather morning
(62) Wind blowing from the - Wind blowing from - Indicate rains
south (“habagat”) the south(“habagat”)
indicates rains
(63) Wind blowing from the - Wind blowing from - Hot weather
north (“amihan”) the north (“amihan”)
indicates hot weather

64
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(64) Shadow of the - Shadow of the - Clear weather

rainbow near the rainbow near the
source of water is source of water
considered to indicate
clear weather
(65) Presence of rainbow - Presence of - Tendency for
indicates that there is rainbow rainfall
tendency for rainfall
(66) Bubbles in water - Bubbles in water - More rains
during light rain are during light rain
considered to indicate
more rain

65
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(67) Bubbles appearing - Bubbles appearing - Rain would

during morning showers during morning last whole
are considered to showers day
indicate that the rain
would last the whole day
(68) If all stars are out at - If all stars are out at - A nice day the
night, it is considered to night following day
indicate a nice day the
following day
(69) Lightning from the far - Lightning from the far - Rain would come
distance is an indication distance in a week or two
that rain would come in
a week or two

66
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(70) Several days of heavy - Several days of - A short interval

clouds indicate a short heavy clouds before beginning
interval before the of the rain
beginning of the rain
(71) If toxins are present, - Presence of toxins - Certain plants may
certain plants may not not grow in the
be able to grow area
in the area affected
(72) Algae blooms are often - Presence of algae - Large increases
used to indicate large blooms of nitrates and
increases of nitrates phosphates in
and phosphates in lakes and rivers
lakes and rivers

67
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(73) Levels of certain liver - Exposure to - Increase in levels

enzymes in fish increase if pollutants in the of certain liver
they exposed to pollutants water enzymes in fish
in the water
(74) Changes in the - Changes in the - Increase or
functioning of the functioning of the decrease in the
nervous systems of nervous systems of levels of soil
worms are used to worms pollution
measure levels of soil
pollution
(75) Increase in number of - Increase in number - Presence of
mutated frogs is used of mutated frogs toxins in the
as an indicator of toxins environment
in their environment
68
 Climate Bioindicator Observation Forecast

(76) If there is bubbling - Bubbling water - Presence of

water appearing in appearing in the spring in the area
the soil, it means there area
is spring in that area
(77) If there are trees and - Trees and grasses - Presence of
grasses growing in the growing in the area shallow water
area and there is and presence of source
presence of green green grasses in
grasses in the the surroundings
surroundings despite
it is dry season, it
means there is a
shallow water source
69
 Rationale/Explanations of Shortlisted Climate Bioindicators,
Dumangas, Iloilo
Climate Bioindicator Source
(1) Ants climbing Paper entitled “Sustainability of
the wall Indigenous Knowledge in
indicates rains Seasonal Rainfall Forecast
and Farming Decision in Semi-
Arid Areas of Katsina State,
Nigeria”
Selvanayagum (1991)
Rationale/Explanation
Movement of ants in a row is
a sign of rain because
increased humidity triggers
the ants to carry their eggs to
a safer place.
Hair of ants lengthens due
to increase in the humidity
triggering the process of
carrying the eggs to a safer
place.
70
All of these occur due to the air pressure:

• Just before a rain, ants will build their nests up very high on the sides.
• Ants tend to scatter when weather is fair and they travel in straight lines
when it is going to rain.
• Ants building nests on top of fence posts or tree stumps means rain.
• Ants close their holes before rain and open them in dry weather.
• Swarms of flying ants are seen before rain.
• Ants also stay near the opening of their anthill if a rain storm is coming.
• Sometimes ants will even cover up the hole on their mound. They will
also build the sides of their ant hills very steep right before the rain.

71
Ants climbing the wall

https://www.google.com/search?q=ants+climbing+walls&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=QOwyW762xa0IrM
%253A%252Cuqw1mN5Ut6nnyM
%252C_&usg=AI4_kSbYIPM3Z9ndtxR8aA15IAZVaDF0w&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgz4aS0tLdAhVZPHAKHdhbADYQ9QEwFXoEC
AEQCA#imgrc=QOwyW762xa0IrM:
Ants building nests on top of fence posts or tree stumps means rain.
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation
(2) Big earthworms Mueller (n.d.) Earthworms lose moisture through their
(“adudulis”) skin, the soil in which they live must
coming out of soil be moist, but not overly so. Worms move
indicates hot to the surface after heavy rains that
weather saturate the soil to keep from suffocating.

Earthworms come out of the soil after rain.

An earthworm breathes oxygen by absorbing
it through its moist skin. It likes damp soil, but
if the rain is very heavy, the oxygen in the
water-logged soil may run out. The worm
has to come up into the air to breathe. On top
of the wet ground, the worm can breathe
and wriggle along. If earthworms come out
of the soil, it indicates hot weather.

74
 Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation
(3) Wind blowing Gupta (1993) as cited by South wind blows in advance of
from the south Ravi Shankar et al. (2008). a cold front and also blows over
(“habagat”) the east quadrant of an
indicates rains approaching low pressure cell.

Rain occurs due to Arabian Sea

branch of S-W monsoon, if
these seasonal winds persist for
five to three days.

“The Natural Navigator” South winds can be a warning

for bad weather approaching.

75
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Wind blowing According to a weather lore: To explain this, a south wind

from the south “A wind from the south blows in advance of a cold
(“habagat”) has rain in its mouth.” front and also blows over the
indicates rains east quadrant of an approaching
low pressure cell.

Supporting this lore, on

occasion attributed to
Benjamin Franklin
“a wind from the south
usually brings rain and
precedes cold front.”
Cold front is transition zone
from warm air to cold air 76
Climate Bioindicator Source
(4) Frogs croaking in Haake and
a water body in the English (2013)
afternoon until
sunset indicate that
rain will be coming
soon
Rationale/Explanation
Frogs may sing louder and longer when
rain is coming. This might be because,
since they need water to stay alive, they
are highly sensitive to humidity. Before
a rainstorm, frogs sense the higher humidity
and become more active and begin to sing
more.
When frogs call during a dry spell it
indicates that rain may fall within 24 to 48
hours, although it is usually within a much
shorter time frame. Burrowing frogs can
be heard calling from underground when
heavy rain is on the way.
77
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Frogs croaking Article Affirmed that frogs often “sing” when rain
in a water body “Weather draws near or humidity rises. “The louder
in the afternoon Lore” the frogs croak, the more rain.” Moisture and
until sunset humidity in the air can cause a large number
indicates that rain of frogs to croak, as the moisture in the air
will be coming soon allows them to stay out of the water for longer.

Article Noises all become louder and more vibrant

“Weather just before rain, because sound is reflected
Phenomena” and magnified by low clouds. Croaking of
frogs will echo loudly if rain is imminent.
78
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Frogs croaking Article “If the Frog Frogs croak more when rain is on the
in a water body Croaks” by Jim way.
in the afternoon Anderson,
until sunset Superintendent of Before barometers, Germanic
indicates that rain Lost Spur Country country folk kept green tree frogs in
will be coming soon Club jars and aquariums as living
barometers. If the frog kept mostly
out of the water, that indicated fair
weather. If it retreated into the water
and croaked, rain was due.

79
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Frogs croaking in a Article “Why Real reason for this very common croaking
water body in the Do Frogs activity lies in the ritual of mating calls by the
afternoon until Croak” male frogs and it is also a method to mark
sunset indicates that their territory and repel other male frogs who
rain will be coming "mistakenly try to mate with them."
soon
Distinctive loud croaking sounds is done
solely by male frogs who are singing tunes
calling for the attention of ready-to-mate lady
frogs, and some excited lady frogs may emit
reciprocal not-as-loud croaks as well.

80
Frogs also let us know when rain is on the
horizon because their calls become
louder, and more frogs are singing their
hearts out. This is due to the frantic need
for the males to attract a female so they
can mate and lay their eggs in the nearest
body of water. The life cycle of all frogs
and amphibians is inherently tied to a
source of freshwater. Thus, more rain
increases the amount of vernal pools and
temporary ponds for their tadpoles to
develop (Respect the Frog Blog Series: How Frogs
Predict the Weather by Nikki Grandnetti, n.d.).
https://adventureaquarium.wordpress.com/2014/02/01/respect-the-frog-blog-
series-can-frogs-predict-the-weather/.
 Climate
Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

(5) Hens Article “Do In a flock of all females, there will be one rises to the
crowing female top of hierarchy, normally called the alpha female.
(instead of chickens crow” Hen adopts position a rooster would normally hold
roosters) and most of behaviors, watches others, keeps them
indicates rain in check and it crows, has a name, appropriately
called "hen crowing." It does not sound like a cock-
a-doodle-doo crow normally associated with a cock,
but it is both loud and annoying.

Burwood Bird ''Classically, chickens have a pecking order, most

and Animal dominant ones, usually the strongest, are top and
Hospital's Dr. the weakest are bottom. From time to time, chicken
Pat will produce male hormones. They will start crowing,
Macwhirter, a developing a cone and spurs, become more
specialist in aggressive - anything to do with male secondary
fowl for 17 yrs. characteristics.” 82
 Climate Source Rationale/Explanation
Bioindicator
Hens crowing Article, “It’s a A hen has two ovaries. Normally, the left ovary
(instead of Hen . . . or atrophies during development of the chick, and
roosters) Maybe Not! only right ovary produces eggs. However, in some
indicates rain Gender-Bending rare and bizarre cases, alterations in bird’s ovaries
Chickens” cause sex hormone changes. On rare occasions,
posted on right ovary ceases normal function - perhaps due
May 3, 2010, to a tumor or an infection, and the left ovary
becomes functional, sometimes producing
testosterone. This hormone switch causes bird to
develop typically male features: larger comb and
wattles, male plumage, male vocalization.

According to the If a rooster is not present in a flock of hens,

article “Chicken” a hen will often take the role, stop laying, and
begin to crow. 83
 Climate Source Rationale/Explanation
Bioindicator
Hens crowing Internet source: Can hens REALLY crow?
(instead of My Pet Chicken
roosters) “Can hens In all-female flocks, or flocks in which the ratio of
indicates rain REALLY crow?” females to males is greater than 10:1, in many
https://www.mypetchicken.
cases one female will take on male characteristics
com/backyard- and become the "protector" of the rest of the flock.
chickens/chicken- In addition to coming out with a half-crow, she'll
help/Can-hens-REALLY-
crow-H23.aspx usually cease laying, and she may even develop
spurs to rival a male's. Strange, but true!

84
Can a hen turn into a rooster?
If your hen has had some damage to her reproductive system (such
as an infection in her ovaries), she might begin to look like a rooster
on the outside---and act like one---due to a hormone imbalance! Such
a hen wouldn't lay eggs, and may even begin to crow. At her molt,
she may grow in the same plumage roosters have in her breed. If her
infection or condition then cleared up, she might begin laying anew,
stop crowing... and at her next molt she would grow in henny feathers
again.

There was a famous case in 1474 when this apparent "sex switching"
occurred with a chicken. It was the case of the Rooster of Basel and
she was solemnly burned at the stake for "the heinous and unnatural
crime of laying an egg." What caused this "rooster" to lay eggs was not
a sex change, though. It's likely that the poor hen simply had a hormone
imbalance or an infection which in her ovaries which cleared up, so
she began laying again, while she was still feathered as a rooster. For
this heretical outrage, the poor girl was taken to court by the clergy,
found guilty and burned as a witch. Afterwards, the executioner is said
to have cut her open and removed three more eggs from her body.
(https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/Can-a-hen-
can-turn-into-a-rooster-H234.aspx, Accessed Sept. 24, 2018.) Don't hate me because I'm
beautiful!
 Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

(6) Birds flying Rautela and Flocks of birds flying high in the sky is
below their Karki (2015) considered to indicate fair weather. If
normal flight birds fly below their normal flight
height indicates height this is considered to indicate rain
rain or bad or bad weather. Fall in air pressure due
weather to bad weather condition causes
discomfort in birds’ ears and in order to
alleviate it they fly at lower elevations.
Increase in humidity at times of bad or
wet weather, draws insects to the
surface and this is another reason for
insect-seeking birds to fly low.

86
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Birds flying below Acharya (2011) When birds move at heights above
their normal flight 0.5 kilometers they sense upper air
height indicates winds and chirp. Usually, rain bearing
rain or bad weather clouds occur at heights between 0.5
and 2.5 kilometers. Because of
sensible response of these birds to
winds, farmers predict rain.

It is also believed that if these birds

fly in rows after occurrenceof rain,
possibility of further increase in rain
is very high.

87
Watch for low-flying or roosting birds.

When the air pressure falls before a storm, birds

feel discomfort in their ears. This causes them to
fly lower toward the ground or to perch on lower
tree branches or power lines. You may also
observe the birds eating ground insects. This
behavior suggests that a storm is coming.

If the birds are flying high in the sky, then there will
likely be fair weather. If you’re near the sea, look
for seagulls perched on the beach, which could
indicate that a storm is coming. Watch for large
groups of roosting birds. Birds also become quiet
before a storm. Singing and chirping birds could
indicate good weather.
Source: How to Predict a Weather Without a Forecast.
https://www.wikihow.com/Predict-the-Weather-Without-a-Forecast
 Climate Source Rationale/Explanation
Bioindicator
(7) Large number According to Sudden appearance of termites during humid
of winged the article weather should not be misinterpreted as home
termites “ALATES invasion. They have arrived because lights
(“raga-raga”) (Reproductive attracted them, and no amount of spraying will
attracted to Winged prevent recurrence when conditions are right.
lights indicates Termites)” Should you come across alates, it is an indication
rain that there may be a termite colony within the vicinity
of your home.

Reproductive termites are called alates.

Alates remain in the nest until conditions are just
right - perfect mix of temperature and humidity -
then all of the alates of a particular species emerge
simultaneously from many nests for their first and
only flight. When they land, wings are discarded.
Their aim is to disperse and mate.
89
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Large number of Chinlampianga If there was no rain in the previous

winged termites (2011) day or week but the insects are
(“raga-raga”) coming out of the soil, rain is
attracted to lights expected to come soon.
indicates rain
When these insects come out of
soil in a group after rainfall occurs,
it is believed that rain will not come
again for some time.

90
 Climate
Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Large number Internet Termite swarming or synchronized flight

of winged termites sources occurs in different times of the year but the
(“raga-raga”) peak coincide with onset of rainy season
attracted to lights in the Philippines.
indicates rain
Termites swarm in order to disperse and start
new colonies. After a colony reaches a critical
size (typically, requiring five to eight years),
winged reproductives are produced.

In response to warmer temperatures and

rainfall, winged termites emerged from colony
and fly into air.

92
 Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

(8) Sound of crickets Article Many people use crickets to tell the
calling or chirping “Weather temperature. Crickets are known as
throughout the Lore” “poor man's thermometer.” They can tell
night indicates the temperature. The frequency of chirping
change in weather of crickets varies according to temperature.
“Crickets chirp faster when it is warm
and slower when it is cold.”

Method known as Dolbear’s Law was

developed in 1898 after a study showed that
by counting cricket’s chirps for 14
seconds and adding 40 gives the
approximate temperature reading in
degrees Fahrenheit.

93
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation
Sound of crickets Weather lore The cricket’s chirp is related to
calling or chirping “Crickets sing temperature.
throughout the louder than usual
night indicates just before rain” As the temperature
change in weather rises, it becomes easier to reach
Article a certain activation energy,
“Sonorous thereby allowing chemical
Science: Have a reactions, such as the ones that
Cricket Tell You allow a cricket to chirp, to occur
the more rapidly.
Temperature!”
Conversely, as the temperature falls,
the reaction rates slow, causing the
chirping to diminish along with it.

94
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Sound of - Millburn Audibility of their chirping is actually directly

crickets calling (n.d.). related to how much energy their bodies have.
or chirping Colder temperatures lead to crickets with
throughout the decreased energy levels. Warmer
night indicates temperatures, on the other hand, give
change in crickets energy boosts.
weather
There are several reasons why crickets
- Article entitled chirp. They may be calling to attract a
“Everyday female with a loud and monotonous sound;
Mysteries” courting a nearby female with a quick, softer
chirp; behaving aggressively during the
encounter of two males; and, sounding a
danger alert when sensing trouble. The tone
of the chirping depends upon the distance
between the wrinkles.
95
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

(9) Big volume of Eric Sonstroem Formation of dew is linked to the amount of
morning dew in (2008) posted an cloudiness in the sky at night. On a clear
the grasses is article “Is Dew in night the ground cools, radiating its heat
considered to the Morning a away into space. When the ground gets
indicate hot Good Way to cool enough, dew forms, like beads of
Predict the
weather condensation on a can of cold soda.
Weather?”
If the sky is cloudy at night, the Earth’s
surface does not cool as much. Some of
the heat radiates into space, but much of it
bounces off the cloud layer and goes back
into the ground. If there are lots of clouds,
the ground will not get cool enough to form
dew.
96
Climate Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Big volume of Sandi Duncan (2010) If dew has time to form on the ground
morning dew in in the article, overnight, it means the night was
the grasses is “5 Ways to Predict the clear without any clouds.
considered to Weather,” states this
indicate hot way: Clear skies allow the earth to cool,
“When the dew is on
weather and water to condense in the form of
the grass
Rain will never come dew (or frost at cooler times of the
to pass year).
When grass is dry at
morning light, If the night is cloudy, the clouds act
Look for rain before as a heat barrier keeping the heat
the night.” in and not allowing dew to form.

97
 Climate Source Rationale/Explanation
Bioindicator
Big volume of Meteorologist Jeff Haby Once the temperature drops to the dew
morning dew (n.d.) point, any further cooling will produce
in the dew. This situation is most likely to occur
grasses is Jeff Haby’s article on a clear night.
considered to entitled “When Dew is
on the Grass”
indicate hot On a clear night the earth is able to emit
Weather Lore:
weather “When dew is on the radiation into space and, thus, cool
grass, rain will never much more effectively as compared
come to pass.” to a cloudy night.

With dew on the grass, it usually means

the sky is clear. The clear skies will
continue and, thus, it will be a sunny day
with no rain.
98
 Climate Source Rationale/Explanation
Bioindicator

(10) Red sky in Article A red sunrise can mean that a high pressure
the morning “Everyday system (good weather) has already passed,
indicates rains Mysteries” thus, indicating that a storm system (low
pressure) may be moving to the east. A
morning sky that is as deep, fiery red can
indicate that there is high water content in
the atmosphere. So, rain could be on its way.

When we see a red sky at night, this means that

the setting sun is sending its light through a high
concentration of dust particles. This usually
indicates high pressure and stable air coming in
from the west. Basically good weather will follow.
99
 Climate Source Rationale/Explanation
Bioindicator
Red sky in John Platte (2014) in It has been said that many old wives’
the morning his article “Take tales about the weather is true. As
indicates warning when the related by John Platte (2014) in his
rains sky is red in the article “Take warning when the sky
morning” is red in the morning”, the Library of
Congress opined that both parts of
the rhyme, "Red sky in the morning,
sailors take warning. Red sky at night,
sailors delight," are true.

100
 Climate
Bioindicator Source Rationale/Explanation

Red sky James White of “Folklore and science are both

in the the National based on repeated observation
morning Oceanic and and evidence. The reason
indicates Atmospheric many of these old wives’ tales
rains Administration hold water is that they came
(NOAA) from observations of the same
phenomena time and time again.”

101
What People Say About
Bioindicators
as Early Warning Signals
FGD Results

Rationale of the FGD:

FGD was conducted to validate the shortlisted climate
bioindicators.

FGD participants have agreed to the shortlist.

103
FGD Results
Observed changes in communities and impacts
brought about by use of climate bioindicators as
early warning signs:

· Confidence of farmers are being boosted.

· Production increase because farmers are guided
in their decision-making.
· Decision making on agriculture improved. For
instance, if weather is not suitable for planting
rice, they shift to corn & other crops.
104
FGD Results
Low production cost as they have the basis
in making decision.

• For instance, farmers will not apply fertilizers if there is

prediction of bad weather based on traditional weather
forecasting (use of climate bioindicators) since that will
just go to waste.
• Besides, they will just be wasting their efforts and time
which could be used for other productive purposes.
FGD Results

Recommendations have been made on the use of

climate bioindicators as early warning signs, among
others:
 To be complemented by scientific information for a more
reliable and accurate agriculture-based decisions.
 Farmers still to be encouraged to use weather information
from Agromet Station and PAG-ASA in complementation
with the use of climate bioindicators as basis in making
agricultural-based decision making.
 Documentation of CTK on climate bioindicators is important for

sharing among farming & fishing communities as basis in

making sound decisions by farmers and fisher folk in order
to minimize risks and losses in crop, livestock and fishery
production, and other livelihoods, properties, and even loss of
lives. Climate bioindicators may be useful in serving as
weather predictor.
 It is important that we should be observant of the weather and let
us have access to information and knowledge about weather
forecast, traditional or scientific. “Daku gid ang mabulig sina
sa pagpanguma naton” (It’s a big help in our farming
operations).
107
Some Participants in the Focus Group Discussion..

108
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEWS (KII)
1. How accurate are the climate bioindicators
as early warning signs?
Responses of key informants:

· One key informant said that based on his interviews with farmers
during CFS class, it is more or less 85% to 90% accurate. No
specific day when to happen but anytime within the week, it will
happen.

· Other key informants said, generally, they may be 80% to 90%

accurate. Reason: because they have also farms and they
have been observing these climate bioindicators except for
some in which they were not aware like the hens crowing and
ducks swimming without water. 109
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEWS (KII)
2. What is the extent of application of weather information to
agriculture-based decision making of farmers & fisher
folk?

Responses of the majority of the key informants:

· Farmers and fisher folk greatly rely on weather information as basis of

their agriculture-based decision making. For the farmers, they could plan
when to prepare their fields for planting, prepare their machineries, farm
implements, draft animals, and others. For the fisher folk, they could
prepare their bancas and other fishing paraphernalia for the start of their
fishing activities.
· With weather information, they may be able to prepare, thus, reduces
risks and losses in their livelihood.
110
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)
3. What are the indigenous approaches used by
farming and fishing communities to adapt to the
observed changes in climate?

Common responses of the key informants:

· Crop diversification;
· Change of cropping calendar;
· Income diversification ( they look for alternative source
of livelihood); and,
· Mangrove reforestation as bio-shield.

111
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)
4. What are the various community-based techniques
used in weather forecasting?

Responses:
· Key informant said that farmers use improvised rain gauges made
of empty plastic bottle (one gallon capacity), 6-liter mineral water
bottle and 50 ml mineral water bottle as measuring tube.

· In terms of accuracy, compared to scientific instrument, not that

accurate but could guide the farmers in their decision-making
as to their farming activities such as land preparation, planting,
fertilizer application, harvesting, etc.

· Climate bioindicators have been observed for traditional weather

forecasting.
112
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)
A fisher folk leader shared some insights:

“Kon maobserbahan namon ini nga palatanda-an, hindi na kami

magpalawod kag mangisda. Gina check na namon ang amon mga balay
kag kay-uhon ang dapat kalay-uhon tungod naga-istar kami lapit sa
dagat. Ginahigtan na namon sang maayo ang amon bangka para indi
maanod. Ini tanan preparasyon lang namon para kon matabo man indi
kami matam-an.” (If we have observed this climate indicator, we don’t go
out to sea anymore to fish. We check our houses and repair what needs
to be repaired because we are living near the sea. We secure our
bancas so that they won’t be carried away to the sea. We are making
these preparations so that just in case a calamity will happen, we won’t
suffer much losses.)

113
·

KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)

“Kon wala kami weather information from PAG-ASA, amo ini

ang amon ginasaligan. Indi tanan nga ti-on makakuha kami
impormasyon. Makabulig gid ang mga bioindicators as early
warning signs.” (If we have no acces of weather information
from PAG-ASA, we resorted to these bioindicators. They are
useful as early warning signs.)

114
Key informant’s interview with the President of the fisher folk organization in Dacutan,
Dumangas.
115
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)
·

5. What are your recommendations to the farmers and fisher

folk relative to the use of climate bioindicators for traditional
weather forecasting?

Frequent responses were:

“Farmers and fisher folk may continue with their indigenous

forecasting through observation of climate bioindicators but in
complementation with scientific weather forecasting to further boost
their confidence as to reliability and accuracy.”

“Dugangan lang.” (Additions to be made.)

 ·
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)

“Ginarekomendar namon sa mga mangunguma kag mga

mangingisda nga duha gid ila basehan sang ila nga desisyon
parte sa pagpanguma kag pagpangisda, duna nga kaalam sa
weather forecasting kag weather information nga ginahatag sang
PAG-ASA para more or less ensakto ang desisyon. ”
(We recommend to the farmers that they should not only based
their agriculture-based decision-making from their tacit knowledge
but also from weather information from PAG-ASA for a more or
less accurate decision-making.)

117
 ·
KEY INFORMANTS' INTERVIEW (KII)

A key informant relayed:

“It is important to have knowledge on climate

bioindicators and share that knowledge with others.” He
explained: “Para mabuligan man ang iban nga maka preparar
para indi matam-an kon may matabo nga kalamidad.” (So that
others may also be helped to make the necessary
preparations and not suffer much losses just in case calamity
happens).
·

118
T

The Municipal Agriculturist of Dumangas, Iloilo as one of the key informants.

119
A woman leader scrutinizing the list of climate bioindicators. This was the output of the
farmers of Brgy. Balabag during their training in the Climate Field School.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS

• The traditional weather forecasting knowledge was

in the form of bioindicators and other physical
factors that include wind direction, time of the year,
color of sky, and position of stars (Rautela and
Karki, 2015).

121
• According to Zommers (2014), bioindicators for climate-
related hazards have several potential benefits for early
warning systems: (1) they are socially relevant; and,
(2) hazard bioindicators are potentially practical and
methodologically relevant.
• Indigenous knowledge on rainfall forecasting can form an
important part of the scientific forecasts. Understanding
of local communities’ perception to predict rainfall
variability can add value to the scientific weather forecasts.
(Roncoli and others (2001) as cited by Rautela and Karki
(2015)
122
Recommendations
1. Use of all available modes of communication for
widespread dissemination of this CTK on climate
bioindicators.
2. Employment of quadmedia to increase knowledge level
of farmers and fisher folk.
3. Replication of the study in upland areas.
4. Use of collegial message framing in communicating
these climate bioindicators among farming and
fishing communities.
Recommendations
5. Use of all available channels of communication.
6. More research studies on climate bioindicators.
7. Integration of bioindicators with modern techniques
of weather forecasting.
8. Climate Field School for adoption of other municipalities.
 My sincerest thanks
to the Zarraga National High School for giving me this
wonderful opportunity to share my study with the
students and other participants. I hope you will
also share this collective tacit knowledge on
climate bioindicators with your respective
communities for widespread
dissemination.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
My profound thanks to the following:

- Dr. Alexander G. Flor – my dissertation adviser at the University of

the Philippines Open University (UPOU)
- Dr. Felix R. Librero – member of my panel - UPOU
- Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria – member of my panel - UPOU
- Mayor Ronaldo B. Golez of Dumangas, Iloilo
- Eugene del Castillo, Municipal Agriculturist, Dumangas, Iloilo
- Ricky Dador, In-Charge, Dumangas Climate Field School
- Marilou Catunao, Farmer-Leader, Brgy. Balabag, Dumangas, Iloilo
- Farmers of Brgy. Balabag & Fisher Folk of Brgy.
Dacutan, Dumangas, Iloilo
- Mayor John H. Tarrosa of Zarraga, Iloilo
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MADAMO GID NGA SALAMAT!

ANY QUESTIONS?

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