BIOTOPE FRAGMENTATION AND ECOLOGICAL UNDERPERFORMANCE IN THE QUEZON CITY MEDICAL CLUSTER: A BIOTOPE-BASED ASSESSMENT FOR DESIGNING AN ECOLOGICAL NETWORK FROM THE QUEZON INSTITUTE TO THE LUNG CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES

Urban ecological fragmentation threatens biodiversity and ecosystem service delivery in dense metropolitan environments.This study conducts a comprehensive biotope-based ecological assessment of the Quezon City Medical Cluster-a critical institutional corridor spanning the Quezon Institute to the Lung Center of the Philippines.Through hierarchical spatial mapping,biotope delineation,quantitative ecological evaluation,and prescriptive landscape planning,the study confirms severe habitat fragmentation,low structural complexity, and widespread ecological underperformance.Sixty two biotopes were identified,most characterized by young vegetation, simplified structure, and functional isolation due to impervious institutional and commercial land uses. The findings inform the development of a district wide ecological network composed of green corridors and stepping-stone biotopes, supported by a detailed management plan encompassing Creative, Connective, Integrative,and Protective strategies.The study concludes that restoring ecological flow, increasing habitat complexity,and embedding nature-based systems within the medical landscape are essential for achieving climate resilience, enhanced biodiversity, and improved environmental health within this critical healthcare district.