VSU-DBS expands citizen science efforts through marine monitoring & biodiversity seminar in Ormoc City

Visayas State University-Department of Biological Sciences (VSU-DBS) strengthened its citizen science initiatives in Ormoc City through a Marine Ecosystem Monitoring and Biodiversity Awareness Seminar held on October 29, 2025, at the Ormoc City Public Library. 

The event gathered more than 200 students from business administration, public administration, and social work programs of the City College of Ormoc, providing them with accessible introductions to scientific methods used in observing the condition of coastal ecosystems. 

Discussions emphasized how mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs operate as interconnected habitats that sustain fisheries, maintain biodiversity, and reduce environmental risks in coastal areas.

Three marine science faculty members from VSU-DBS served as resource persons for the seminar. Prof. Senona A. Cesar discussed the importance of coral reefs and their role in Philippine coastal productivity. Dr. Donna M. Guarte-Valida described how seagrass and coral reef interactions influence fish diversity and ecosystem function. Assistant Prof. Rafael Junnar P. Dumalan presented approaches in citizen science monitoring, including the ALWAN methods and the use of a mangrove report card for local assessment efforts. 

All three speakers are part of the technical team behind Project ALWAN, a citizen science-driven initiative that promotes community-based coral reef assessment in various coastal municipalities.

Anchored on the course People and the Earth’s Ecosystem (PEE), the activity supported lessons on the current state of Philippine biodiversity and the growing threats to species survival. 

The seminar also connected academic concepts to real-world challenges, reinforcing the need for broader participation in coastal conservation especially in biodiversity-rich yet vulnerable areas like Eastern Visayas. By making scientific monitoring practices accessible to young people who may not be pursuing environmental science programs, the effort helped broaden local involvement in generating useful ecological information for community planning and resource protection.

VSU-DBS continues to expand its environmental education and outreach efforts while supporting national and local actions for more informed marine resource management. 

Through programs like Project ALWAN and activities such as this seminar, the department continues to advocate for community engagement in conservation and the importance of empowering future leaders who can contribute to sustaining the country’s coastal ecosystems.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 14: Life Below Water, and; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

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