2018) Methane emission from rice cultivation in different agro-ecological zones of the Mekong river delta: seasonal patterns and emission factors for baseline water management, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 64:1, 47-58, ABSTRACTThis study comprises a set of methane emission measurements in rice fields located in the four agroecological zones of the Mekong River Delta (MRD), namely the zones with (i) alluvial soils, (ii) salinity intrusion, (iii) deep flood, and (iv) acid sulfate soils. These zones have very distinct bio-physical conditions and cropping cycles that will affect methane emissions in various forms. Our study includes comprehensive mapping of these zones as well as an overview of rice statistics (activity data) at provincial level for each cropping season. Emission data were obtained by the closed chamber method. The available data set comprises 7 sites with 15 cropping seasons. Mean emission rates showed large variations ranging from 0.31 to 9.14 kg CH 4 ha −1 d −1 . Statistical analysis resulted in weighted means for all zones that we use as zone-specific CH 4 emission factors (EF z ) in the context of the IPCC Tier 2 approach. The lowest EF z was computed for the saline accounting for 1.14 kg CH 4 ha −1 d −1 (confidence interval: 0.60-2.14). The EF z values of the alluvial and acid sulfate zones were 2.39 kg CH 4 ha −1 d −1 (2.19-4.13) and 2.78 kg CH 4 ha −1 d −1 (2.65-3.76), respectively, which indicated that they were not different from each other derived from their confidence intervals. The deep flood zone, however, required a season-specific, assessment of EF z because emission in the autumn-winter cropping season, corresponding to the wet period, was significantly higher (9.14 kg CH 4 ha −1 d −1 (7.08-11.2)) than the other seasons (2.24 kg CH 4 ha −1 d −1 (1.59-3.47)). Although these emission factors correspond to baseline water management and do not capture the diversity of farmers' practices, we see the availability of zone-specific data as an important step for a more detailed assessment of Business as Usual emissions as well as possible mitigation potentials in one of the most important rice growing regions of the world. ARTICLE HISTORY

The present study investigates into the link between people's vulnerability in the face of coastal hazards and sustainable livelihoods. It focuses on the town of Borongan in the Philippines and draws on questionnairebased surveys and focus group discussions. This research shows that local fishermen are often compelled to go out fishing despite pending typhoon or storm surge to sustain the daily needs of their family. Its also demonstrates that the capacity of these people to protect themselves from the threat is constrained by poor and fragile livelihoods. In the event of a crisis, the study argues that people resort to a range of adjustments on their daily life which is rooted in the strength and diversity of their livelihoods. To reduce people's vulnerability and enhance capacities to face coastal hazards, the study fosters Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction with special emphasis to sustainable livelihoods.

The biosecurity status of 397 broiler farms in Central Luzon, the highest poultry meat–producing region in the Philippines, was assessed using Biocheck.Ugent. This online biosecurity assessment tool quantifies biosecurity level or compliance of surveyed farms. The system generates scores that reflect the current biosecurity status of each farm in terms of the different external and internal biosecurity measures being implemented in each farm. It was initially developed for pigs and broilers but recently is available for layers, swine, and cattle (beef, dairy, and veal). The overall biosecurity score of broiler farms in Central Luzon was 71.2%, with average external and internal biosecurity scores of 68.5 and 77.2%, respectively. Bataan had the highest biosecurity scores (76.5%) compared with the other 6 provinces. This was also true for the external and internal biosecurity scores of the province, with mean scores of 72.1 and 80.1%, respectively. Of the 11 subcategories of external and internal biosecurity that were assessed, purchase of day-old chicks, feeds and water supply, supply of materials, cleaning and disinfection, and materials between compartments had scores higher than the global scores. Low scores were generated from transport of live animals and infrastructure and biological vectors. The mean biosecurity score of farms with traditional/conventional type of housing was 7.8% lower than that with tunnel vent housing. Every year as the farm gets older, there was a corresponding drop of 0.2% in the biosecurity score. Biosecurity measures are in place in broiler farms in the country. However, there were areas with low scores which need to be prioritized to improve and upgrade the farms' biosecurity status. To date, this is the first quantitative assessment of biosecurity in broiler farms in the Philippines. High biosecurity scores may entail greater protection from disease incursion.

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The potential of the Diffusive Gradient Thin-Films (DGT) as a supplemental method for water quality monitoring was employed has been tested through 3 sampling campaigns to measure the trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) present in the surface water of a highly urbanized river. Specifically, the study done in the Pasig River(Philippines) seeks to: assess the applicability of DGT passive sampler in an urban context exhibiting highly contrasted hydrological conditions (greatly influenced by episodic events)and sediment disturbance (dredging) and provide proposal for a better water management.The results indicate that: (1) DGT is highly recommended as part of a routine analysis for water quality monitoring; (2) DGTare able to capture the fluxes even in very contrasted flow regimes; (3) DGT are suitable to trace the labile fluxes of metals from the lake to the estuary;and (4) at the confluence of the Marikina River water management should be intensified. Moreover, recommendations were made for developing pertinent water monitoring protocol and management scheme