Fluctuating Avian Populations in Lalaguna Marshland: Investigating the Role of Community Awareness in Conservation Efforts

Lalaguna Marshland serves as a crucial breeding and habitat for various avian species. This study explores the observed changes in avian populations in the marshland and investigates the participation and awareness of the local community in its conservation efforts. It aligns with the Republic Act No. 1947, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which mandates the involvement of individuals in the Philippines in protecting and preserving wildlife and their habitats. It also identifies community-perceived contributing factors to avian population fluctuations and analyzes their impact on local livelihoods, with a focus on communities that are directly reliant on the marshland's resources. This study employed a qualitative research design, specifically narrative inquiry, to investigate the observed changes in avian species populations over the past few years, as reported by local communities in the marshland. Likewise, it aims to determine the local community's perception of the contributing factors that have resulted in the fluctuation of the avian population in Lalaguna Marshland and how these fluctuations affect local livelihoods, particularly those dependent on the marshland. The findings suggest that seasonal changes and temporal availability have a significant impact on the avian population, with birds adapting to shifts in climate, habitat, and food availability. Factors contributing to these fluctuations include food abundance and seasonal migration, emphasizing the interdependence between birds and their environment. The study also demonstrated how changes in avian populations impact livelihood, presenting both challenges, such as bird-farmer conflicts, and benefits, including the aesthetic and therapeutic value of birdwatching. Additionally, locals suggested that environmental education, with the help of signage and awareness campaigns, is one of the most significant conservation strategies for mitigating the decline of avian populations. These findings highlight the importance of sustainable conservation efforts in maintaining ecological balance while supporting local livelihoods around the marshland. The research concludes with a compendium of conservation policies and strategies for stabilizing avian populations, securing ecological balance, and maintaining community livelihoods. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, environmental organizations, and future researchers to inform their revisitation of community-based conservation and biodiversity management.