VOLUME 16 (Supplement)

The special issue is a compilation of best papers that were presented during the Third International Conference on Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (INREM 2021) held on 17 to 19 November 2021 via online platform. INREM 2021 was organized and implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM) in support of its mission to advance the body of knowledge and educate and engage the general public on INREM-related issues and concerns that will lead in the transformation of sector-oriented to ecosystem/landscape-oriented mindsets and skills in natural resources management and environmental protection in the Philippines. The Conference was implemented in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), OceanaGold Philippines, Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc., Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research, Economy and Environment Group (EEG) Philippines, UP Resilience Institute, and Center for Forestry Research-World Agroforestry Centre (CIFOR-ICRAF).

UPLB-INREM has been approved and institutionalized as an affiliate hub of the UP Resilience Institute in its 1379th Meeting on 3 April 2023, thereby elevating UPLB-INREM as a full-fledged center. Established on 22 July 2013 through Administrative Order No. 140 Series of 2013 issued by UPLB Office of the Chancellor, UPLB-INREM is mandated to develop science-based technologies and solutions to complex and interconnected problems in natural resources management and environmental protection.

We thank the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering especially the Science and Engineering Journal Editorial Team for facilitating the publication of this Special Issue on INREM. We hope that this publication will be useful to students, academics, researchers and development practitioners working in the field of natural resources and the environment. We also hope that it will steer more interests among students and researchers to conduct more cutting-edge researches to help advanced the body of knowledge, policy and practice of INREM not only in the Philippines but also in other tropical countries of similar situation.

The publication of this special issue is made possible through the financial support of Forest Foundation Philippines under Grant Agreement No. 2021-22.