Silliman University through Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management is hosting the 4th Philippine Symposium on Freshwater Biodiversity & Ecosystems

The theme for the symposium is “Balancing Act: Safeguarding Tropical Inland Waters Amidst Threats to Sustainable Development.”

The symposium is led by Dr. Robert S. Guino-o II, PSFBE Symposium chair and Biology Department professor, SUAKCREM director, and SU interim executive director for Research, Publication, and Innovation.

The organizers of the symposium are the Philippine Society for Freshwater Sciences led by its president Dr. Francis S. Magbanua, the Southeast Asian Limnological Network (SEALNET) chaired by Adelina Santos-Borja, and the Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, National Research and Innovation Agency, Republic of Indonesia (BRIN), led by Senior Researcher Dr. Luki Subehi. At SU, the Biology Department and SUAKCREM have been tapped to help facilitate the symposium and ensure its success.

Invited speakers are:

1. Dr. Bo-Ping Han, Professor, Department of Ecology and Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

2. Dr. Maxine Mowe, Lecturer, National University of Singapore

3. Dr. Luki Subehi, Senior Researcher, Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, National Research and Innovation Agency, Republic of Indonesia (BRIN)

4. Mr. John Tobit Cruz, Councilor, Taytay, Rizal

5. Dr. Francis S. Magbanua, President, PSFS, Professor, Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Q.C.

6. Dr. Eric Zeus Rizo, Assistant Professor, Division of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas

7. Dr. Tan Heok Hui, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore

8. Dr. Zati Sharip, Head, Lake Research Unit National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia

9. Dr. Richard Williams, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland

The symposium aims to:

a. Serve as a platform for networking among communities from various disciplines and backgrounds who are interested in inland water ecosystems and are committed to the restoration of their ecology;

b. Disseminate science & technology and to lessen the gap among scientists/academia, policymakers and the public through fruitful discussion;

c. Underpin sustainable use & management of inland aquatic ecosystems;

d. Share knowledge & experience from each ASEAN country in ecological restoration strategies and sustainable management of inland waters.

Topics to be discussed in the symposium will be:

1. Aquatic biodiversity, conservation, and restoration strategies

2. Water security challenges in the ASEAN region

3. System dynamics (physical and biogeochemical processes) and paleolimnology as a tool for inland water management.

4. Carrying capacity and sustainable management of inland waters vis a vis various development pressures on lakes and river basins.

5. Modeling, information system and decision support tool (GIS, remote sensing, database).

6. Local government and community engagement, environmental education, citizen science, traditional culture, and wisdom.

Expected to attend are those interested and are engaged in tropical inland aquatic ecosystem research, education, conservation, and management. High school students and undergraduate students are also welcome to attend. Please see the PSFBE Website for Registration details: psfs.org.ph/psfbe-2024/ . Facebook: Philippine Society for Freshwater Science.

Aside from the Plenary and Break-out sessions, the symposium will also have a Poster Exhibit as well as a Day Field trip on the last day to our very own prime Freshwater Biodiversity destination in Negros Oriental—the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Sibulan, the pride of our province.

For inquiries, please contact the SUAKCREM at (035) 420 1901 local 316 or email them at [email protected].