Deforestation Causes, Effects, and Philippine Environmental Laws

A vocabulary flashcard set covering key terms, causes, impacts, legal frameworks, and case studies related to deforestation.

Deforestation

The conversion of forests, through the clearing of trees, to other land uses or the long-term reduction of tree canopy cover to below 10%.

Slash-and-Burn Technique

Also known as shifting cultivation, traditional forest-conversion methods that involve clearing forested land by cutting down trees and burning the area to clear the land for agriculture or timber plantations.

Overexploitation of Natural Resources

Occurs when humans extract more resources than the environment can replenish naturally, leading to the depletion of natural resources such as minerals, fossil fuels, and timber.

Carbon Sinks

Healthy forests that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate global greenhouse gas levels.

Atmospheric Rivers

Moisture released into the air by millions of rainforest trees working together (such as in the Amazon) that help regulate Earth's weather patterns.

Agroforestry

A sustainable agricultural practice of planting crops alongside trees to reduce the need to clear new forest lands.

Green Supply Chains

Zero-deforestation commitments by consumer-goods companies to sustainably source commodities such as palm oil, soy, and beef.

Assisted Natural Regeneration

A mitigating measure that protects degraded lands from fire and cattle grazing to allow local seed banks to sprout and recover naturally.

REDD+

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation; a carbon credit program providing developing nations with economic incentives to keep forests standing.

Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 705)

Law providing the main legal framework for managing and protecting Philippine forests, lands, and resources, regulating the use, cutting, possession, and transportation of forest products.

Philippine Environment Code (Presidential Decree No. 1152)

Law establishing national policies for protecting and managing land, water, air, wildlife, and other natural resources in the Philippines.

Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11038)

Law strengthening the protection and management of nationally designated protected areas, including important forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitats in the Philippines.

Chainsaw Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9175)

Law regulating the ownership, possession, sale, and use of chainsaws to prevent unauthorized use in illegal logging and other unlawful activities.

Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2011

Executive order imposing a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests in the Philippines to strengthen forest protection and rehabilitation.

National Greening Program

Program under Executive Order No. 26 (expanded by Executive Order No. 193) promoting the rehabilitation of degraded forest lands, reforestation, and sustainable forest management.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The government agency primarily responsible for implementing forestry and environmental regulations in the Philippines.

Palawan Tree-Cover Loss Data (2026)

Recorded approximately 218,970 hectares of tree-cover loss, representing about 18.49% of its total tree cover according to Global Forest Watch data.

Agusan del Sur Tree-Cover Loss Data (2026)

Recorded approximately 133,013 hectares of tree-cover loss, equivalent to about 17.12% of its total tree cover according to reported data.