Sustainability criteria and indicators for the Makiling Botanic Gardens in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines: An application of the CIFOR C&I toolbox

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) generic template was used as an initial set of sustainability criteria and indicators (C&I) in the development of a unique C&I set for the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG). The MBG is a forest area managed for educational and recreational activities inside the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus. A multi-disciplinary team evaluated each criterion and indicator of the CIFOR generic template using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) techniques such as ranking, rating and pairwise comparison to eliminate irrelevant and inapplicable C&I items. The remaining C&I set was then restructured and additional items developed to finalize the set. The final C&I set for MBG was tested through a preliminary assessment conducted by MBG management and users. Results showed that the C&I set was appropriate for MBG, and focused primarily on the protection of ecological processes, while at the same time supporting recreational and educational activities. The MBG C&I also highlighted the importance of a sound policy framework that supports management, as well as the critical role that planning, implementation and monitoring play in progressing sustainability. Moreover, the study demonstrated the practical applicability of the CIFOR C&I Toolbox when developing C&I at the forest management unit level.