The Abaknon’s use of local knowledge to conserve natural resources and adapt to climate change is sustainable
15 Dec 2025
The Abaknon, an indigenous group in Capul Island, possesses unique traditional knowledge and practices that have enabled them to adapt to local environmental conditions over generations. One of the small islands in the Philippines, Capul in Northern Samar is prone to storm surges and coastal erosion from climate and weather disturbances. This research highlights the critical role of indigenous knowledge systems in sustaining communities, particularly those in remote areas.
Soil and water were identified as the most critical resources, as the Abaknon’s livelihood activities largely depend on them. Although farmers do not conduct formal soil testing, they have developed an indigenous soil classification system. Laboratory analysis of soil samples collected from three sites in the barangay—processed and analyzed at the Soils Laboratory of the Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños—validated the locals’ classification system, indicating its reliability and sustainability.
The climate change adaptation practices of the Abaknon in Barangay Oson reflect both coping and long-term adaptation strategies. Key indicators include the diversity of main food sources, integration of livestock species, diversification of agricultural income sources, sectoral emigration, and reduced time spent on farming and fishing activities. The resourcefulness of the residents has enabled them to cope with and adapt to the challenges posed by the seasonality of farming and fishing. Overall, the sustainability levels of these indicators range from good to excellent.
Understanding and preserving this knowledge can help maintain cultural heritage and provide valuable insights for climate resilience. The research underscores how local communities, such as the Abaknon, are using their traditional knowledge to adapt to the impacts of climate change. These practices could involve weather prediction, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, or water management techniques. Assessing how these practices function in the context of modern climate challenges helps to identify strategies that could be scaled or replicated in other communities.
This research helps evaluate the effectiveness of the Abaknon’s local knowledge in terms of maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. By examining the sustainability of these traditional systems, the research can guide policymaking in areas such as natural resource management, eco-tourism, and agricultural practices.
Authors: Anna Gale C. Vallez (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Lucille Elna P. de Guzman (Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Jessica D. Villanueva-Peyraube (School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Rico C. Ancog (School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños) and Annalissa L. Aquino (Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños)