Contact with lowland communities resulted in the entry of non-native plants in the once isolated highlands along the central spine of the island of Mindoro. “Bukay” (sweet yam, Ipomea batatas), one of the species of plants that grows in the swidden of indigenous peoples were brought to the country from South America by the Spaniards and crept its way to the highlands through contact with lowlanders.
“Fare” (rice) started to be cultivated in the highlands not more than 100 years ago. The Taobuid only started to cultivate mungbean in the last thirty years. The government’s leasing of areas in the Mindoro highlands to cattle ranchers in the 1950s paved the way for lowlanders who worked in the cattle ranches to introduce non-native plants with edible fruits to the highlands such as avocado, cassava, langka, santol, mango, guyabano, pineapple, papaya, corn, cassava, sugarcane, and star apple. These species have been naturalized (grows on its own in nature) in the highlands and many of them have become a source of sustenance for both humans and wildlife. Avocado has been integrated in the swiddens of some Taobuid in the uplands (they say not more than five trees in a swidden parcel so that cultivated crops in the understory still get sufficient sunlight) and has become a source of cash to buy things that are not available in the forests.
We are closely monitoring these species so that they do not displace native species but rather enhance biodiversity in the area.
Our work in @Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park is supported by @Mandai Nature.
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