Saving Biodiversity in the Philippines .

In the Philippines, watersheds are one of the country’s key sources of natural capital: These drainage basins protect vulnerable communities from natural disasters while supporting 35 percent of the country’s energy needs through hydro and geothermal power. Another key source of capital, forests support agriculture as well as timber and non-timber projects that total $100 million annually in net benefits. The success of nature-based tourism in an area depends to a large extent on that area’s biodiversity. But both biodiversity and natural capital in the Philippines are among the most endangered in the world, and their depletion hinders economic growth. The USAID Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Project responded by conserving watersheds and forests as well as promoting biodiversity to create a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth.