Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions

Abstract Developing countries such as the Philippines have an increasing urbanization rate, resulting in both the positive and negative effects of socioeconomic growth, including environmental degradation. Thus, the emergence of research on the ecological interactions in urban ecosystems has been gi...

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Main Authors: Anne Olfato-Parojinog, Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-03-01
Series:Discover Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00040-6
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author Anne Olfato-Parojinog
Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac
author_facet Anne Olfato-Parojinog
Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac
author_sort Anne Olfato-Parojinog
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Developing countries such as the Philippines have an increasing urbanization rate, resulting in both the positive and negative effects of socioeconomic growth, including environmental degradation. Thus, the emergence of research on the ecological interactions in urban ecosystems has been given more attention throughout the years. This systematic review gathered relevant studies from research platforms such as Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar to assess the trends in urban ecology research based on publication date, study area, number of citations, methods employed, and most used keywords. 105 were recorded from 1982 to 2023, with 2022 having the most published studies. Most studies were conducted in Metropolitan Manila, Luzon Island, a region with high population density and economic activity. Employing survey questionnaires (21.4%), GIS and remote sensing techniques (16.8%), and biodiversity assessments (18.3%) were the methods that were mainly used in the studies recorded. The thematic analysis has subdivided the studies into urban landscape, urban systems, bio-ecological, and human ecology-based approaches in the context of the Philippines. Science-based solutions integrated each fundamental disciplines of urban ecology in studying Philippine cities can address the gaps exhibited. Although the country's scientific knowledge in urban ecology has evolved, this comprehensive review exposes the knowledge gaps in a temporal manner, especially in further studying Visayas and Mindanao islands and smaller peri-urban areas. Expanding to multidisciplinary approaches is recommended for more thorough understanding of Philippine urban ecology, which will help in decision-making toward a more sustainable future for Philippine cities. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj.art-fa28beed74a24379a9106eda91169f862024-03-05T18:37:21ZengSpringerDiscover Environment2731-94312024-03-012112010.1007/s44274-024-00040-6Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directionsAnne Olfato-Parojinog0Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac1The Graduate School, University of Santo TomasThe Graduate School, University of Santo TomasAbstract Developing countries such as the Philippines have an increasing urbanization rate, resulting in both the positive and negative effects of socioeconomic growth, including environmental degradation. Thus, the emergence of research on the ecological interactions in urban ecosystems has been given more attention throughout the years. This systematic review gathered relevant studies from research platforms such as Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar to assess the trends in urban ecology research based on publication date, study area, number of citations, methods employed, and most used keywords. 105 were recorded from 1982 to 2023, with 2022 having the most published studies. Most studies were conducted in Metropolitan Manila, Luzon Island, a region with high population density and economic activity. Employing survey questionnaires (21.4%), GIS and remote sensing techniques (16.8%), and biodiversity assessments (18.3%) were the methods that were mainly used in the studies recorded. The thematic analysis has subdivided the studies into urban landscape, urban systems, bio-ecological, and human ecology-based approaches in the context of the Philippines. Science-based solutions integrated each fundamental disciplines of urban ecology in studying Philippine cities can address the gaps exhibited. Although the country's scientific knowledge in urban ecology has evolved, this comprehensive review exposes the knowledge gaps in a temporal manner, especially in further studying Visayas and Mindanao islands and smaller peri-urban areas. Expanding to multidisciplinary approaches is recommended for more thorough understanding of Philippine urban ecology, which will help in decision-making toward a more sustainable future for Philippine cities. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00040-6Urban ecologyPhilippinesMetro ManilaSustainable development
spellingShingle Anne Olfato-Parojinog
Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac
Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions
Discover Environment
Urban ecology
Philippines
Metro Manila
Sustainable development
title Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions
title_full Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions
title_fullStr Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions
title_full_unstemmed Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions
title_short Systematic review of ecological research in Philippine cities: assessing the present status and charting future directions
title_sort systematic review of ecological research in philippine cities assessing the present status and charting future directions
topic Urban ecology
Philippines
Metro Manila
Sustainable development
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00040-6
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