Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) – UPLB
Perfect! Since you’re thinking Environmental Science + agarwood production, we can focus on topics that are ecology, sustainability, and agroforestry–oriented, rather than pure lab biotech. These would be suitable for an MS in Environmental Science while keeping a strong link to agarwood cultivation and sustainable production.
Here’s a list of thesis-worthy ideas:
1. Environmental Impacts of Agarwood Plantation Development
- Research Question: How do agarwood plantations affect local biodiversity, soil quality, and ecosystem services?
- Approach:
- Compare soil chemistry, microbial diversity, and native flora/fauna in plantation vs. natural forest.
- Use field sampling, GIS mapping, and biodiversity indices.
- Significance: Inform sustainable plantation practices and ecosystem management.
2. Soil Microbiome Dynamics in Agarwood Cultivation
- Research Question: How does agarwood farming influence soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling?
- Approach:
- Soil sampling at different plantation ages.
- Analyze bacterial and fungal diversity (16S/ITS sequencing).
- Correlate microbial shifts with soil nutrients and tree growth.
- Significance: Optimize soil health for long-term productivity.
3. Agroforestry Integration of Agarwood with Native Trees
- Research Question: What is the optimal species combination for sustainable mixed-plantation systems including Aquilaria?
- Approach:
- Design multi-species plots with nitrogen-fixing trees, timber, and agarwood.
- Monitor growth, resin induction, and ecological interactions.
- Significance: Balances production with biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
4. Carbon Sequestration and Climate Mitigation Potential of Agarwood Plantations
- Research Question: How much carbon can agarwood plantations sequester at different ages?
- Approach:
- Biomass estimation, allometric equations, soil carbon measurement.
- Compare with natural forests or other agroforestry crops.
- Significance: Position agarwood as a climate-friendly cash crop.
5. Water Use Efficiency and Microclimate Effects in Agarwood Plantations
- Research Question: How does plantation density and irrigation affect microclimate and water use?
- Approach:
- Measure soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and leaf water potential.
- Assess effects on resin production and tree health.
- Significance: Guide sustainable water management strategies.
6. Environmental Risk Assessment of Bio-inoculants for Agarwood Resin Induction
- Research Question: Do microbial inoculants (Fusarium, endophytes) pose ecological risks to surrounding soil or plants?
- Approach:
- Monitor survival, dispersal, and interaction with native microbiota.
- Conduct greenhouse or controlled field trials.
- Significance: Ensure inoculant safety for regulatory approval and ecosystem integrity.
7. Socio-Ecological Study: Smallholder Adoption of Sustainable Agarwood Farming
- Research Question: What environmental and socio-economic factors affect the adoption of sustainable agarwood practices?
- Approach:
- Surveys, focus groups, and ecological impact mapping.
- Combine socio-economic and environmental indicators.
- Significance: Support policy and extension programs for rural livelihoods.
8. GIS-based Habitat Suitability Modeling for Agarwood Cultivation
- Research Question: Which areas are most suitable for sustainable A. malaccensis plantations considering climate, soil, and biodiversity?
- Approach:
- Use GIS and remote sensing to map suitability zones.
- Include environmental variables like rainfall, temperature, elevation, and soil type.
- Significance: Strategic planning for sustainable expansion.
💡 Tip for MS Level:
- Pick 1–2 measurable environmental variables (soil, biodiversity, carbon, water) to keep it feasible.
- Field-based studies are highly publishable in Environmental Science journals.
- If combined with agarwood growth or resin data, your thesis will bridge ecology, forestry, and production sustainability.