Protected Area Management Effectiveness of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Philippines: An Assessment Using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT)-4
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54610/jeseg.v7i2.203Keywords:
management effectiveness tracking tool, protected area, Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryAbstract
The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and the sustenance of wetland-dependent livelihoods. This study assessed the management effectiveness of AMWS using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool version 4 (METT-4) to identify prevailing threats and evaluate the performance of existing governance and management strategies. Data were collected through Key Informant Interviews with 44 members of the AMWS Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), complemented by secondary data from management plans, spatial datasets, and institutional records. Threat analysis results indicate that while overall threats were perceived as low, emerging pressures are increasing, particularly human intrusion and disturbance (x̅ = 0.523), agriculture and aquaculture expansion (x̅ = 0.432), and energy production and mining activities in adjacent areas (x̅ = 0.386). These pressures are largely concentrated in Multiple Use Zones (MUZs) and are driven by population growth, land-use conversion, and external extractive activities. The overall METT score for AMWS was 75.52%, corresponding to an excellent rating for management effectiveness. The context component scored highest (100%), reflecting a strong legal and institutional foundation under the Republic Act 7586, as amended by RA 11038, and the recognition of ancestral domains within the protected area. Planning, outputs, and outcomes achieved good ratings (76.63%, 72.73%, and 70.19%, respectively), supported by the presence of comprehensive management plans, active Indigenous Peoples’ co-management, Biodiversity Monitoring Systems (BMS), and livelihood-oriented conservation initiatives. Inputs (65.32%) and processes (68.23%) also received good ratings but revealed constraints related to financial sustainability, logistical capacity, monitoring coverage, and the absence of a formally established buffer zone. Overall, AMWS demonstrates strong governance and participatory management but requires adaptive strategies, strengthened enforcement, and sustainable financing. Periodic METT assessments are recommended to support evidence-based decision-making and long-term conservation of this globally significant wetland ecosystem.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Harold Jay Sumilhig, Sarah Jane Mulig, Glorie Joy Deniega, Sherrilyn Vasquez
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