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The Korean Society of Phycology (한국조류학회(藻類))
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Seaweed ethnobotany of eastern Sorsogon, Philippines

  • Dumilag, Richard V. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Belgica, Teresa Haide R. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Mendoza, Lynn C. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Hibay, Janet M. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Arevalo, Abel E. Jr. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Malto, Mark Ariel D. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Orgela, Elden G. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Longavela, Mabille R. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Corral, Laurence Elmer H. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Olipany, Ruby D. (Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University) ;
  • Ruiz, Caesar Franz C. (Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University) ;
  • Mintu, Cynthia B. (Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University) ;
  • Laza, Benilda O. (Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University) ;
  • Pablo, Mae H. San (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Bailon, Jinky D. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Berdin, Leny D. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Calaminos, Franklin P. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Gregory, Sheryll A. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Omoto, Annie T. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Chua, Vivien L. (Fisheries Department, Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus) ;
  • Liao, Lawrence M. (Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University)
  • Received : 2022.06.17
  • Accepted : 2022.08.16
  • Published : 2022.09.15
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Abstract

Knowledge on the seaweeds of eastern Sorsogon in the Philippines is uneven. Not only is eastern Sorsogon among the areas of high seaweed diversity but locals there have interacted with seaweeds for ages. Despite seaweeds' assumed importance to Sorsoganon, ethnobotanical records are missing. In this study, we documented the traditional knowledge on seaweed use and determined the rate of knowledge transmission among the locals of eastern Sorsogon. Vernacular names and modes of preparation were given of the 12 identified species bearing culinary and medicinal importance. Ten species were eaten while three were used therapeutically. Based on ethnobotanical indices, Caulerpa chemnitzia ecad turbinata and Gelidiella acerosa were the most important seaweeds. The least cited was Caulerpa racemosa. Our study demonstrated that most of the seaweed resources in eastern Sorsogon remain largely untapped, as the identified ethnotaxa were only about 5% of the total seaweed species diversity reported for the area. The seaweed knowledge in eastern Sorsogon appeared to be homogenous across age groups with primary sources of knowledge biased towards female relatives (mothers and grandmothers) and to children as inheritors. Cessation of seaweed knowledge may come at a potential cost, as a significant fraction of the population did not transmit their knowledge to others. Our study furthered the interest in providing sophisticated resource management recommendations that consider the relationships of traditional and scientific knowledge of seaweed selection and use in eastern Sorsogon and beyond.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Commission on Higher Education under the Leading the Advancement of Knowledge in Agriculture and Science (CHED - LAKAS) Project, Phytochemical characterization of macroalgae for food and high value products (PhycoPRO) (LAKAS 2021-035) and a research fund from the Office of the Research, Development and Extension Services (ORDES) of Sorsogon State University under an Institutional Project entitled, Local Seaweed Resources in Sorsogon: Foodways, Ethnopharmacology, and Related Traditional Practices awarded to T. H. R. Belgica, R. V. Dumilag, L. C. Mendoza, J. H. Hibay, and A. E. Arevalo Jr. We express our gratitude to all Bulusanon and Busaignon who willingly shared their time and knowledge. We would also like to thank the various Staff of Bulusan and Sta. Magdalena LGU for allowing us to conduct this study. G. C. Zuccarello and an anonymous reviewer provided comments that improved the quality of this paper.

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