Trees that reduce flooding, protect coastal areas

• Mangrove, giant bamboo and bitaog trees play an important role in recuding flooding. • Wind and swell waves lose energy and height when they pass through mangrove forests because the aerial tangled roots and branches act as physical barriers • The roots of a giant bamboo absorb excess water and hold the soil together, which mitigates soil erosion and landslides. • Bitaog trees have deep roots that allow them to hold the soil effectively and prevent erosion. A plantation of giant bamboo in Bukidnon (Forestry and Environment Research Division) Two strong typhoons ravaged many towns and cities in the Philippines in less than two months, causing flooded areas, damaged bridges and houses, losses in agriculture, and many deaths. Those were Super Typhoon Karding (Noru) which made landfall on Sept. 25, 2022, and severe Tropical Storm Paeng (Nalgae) on Oct. 29, 2022 days before Undas. Mangrove (Pixabay photo) The country is often visited by typhoons because of its geographical location. It stands within the typhoon belt where almost one-third of all tropical cyclones in the world are formed and also experiences the strongest typhoons. The devastating effects of typhoons, worsened by the climate change crisis, is bringing attention to plants and trees that can survive strong winds and high water and reduce casualties and damages. These are some flora that can survive typhoons: Mangroves Mangroves protect coastal areas and shorelines by reducing damages from storm surges and waves therefore preventing erosion, according to a study titled “Mangroves for coastal defense guidelines for coastal managers and policy makers” by Wetlands International and The Nature Conservancy. Wind and swell waves lose energy and height when they pass through mangrove forests because the aerial tangled roots and branches act as physical barriers. It also lessens the amount of wind blowing over the water’s surface, stopping waves from growing and re-forming. Mangroves may only reduce the height of surge depths by five to 50 centimeters per kilometer, but this minor drop in the water level can lessen flooding in low areas behind the mangroves. It can also slow down the movement of debris and its intricate roots and branches can also trap large moving objects. It also lowers the ability of the water to eject sediments from the mangrove area. Slower water flows can help scattered sediments to separate from the stream. Giant bamboo The roots of a giant bamboo absorb excess water and hold the soil together, which mitigates soil erosion and landslides, according to a study by researchers from Central Mindanao University. The giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) can cut “soil losses, decrease water discharge, and lower sediment yield,” as explained on the DOST-PCAARRD’s website. On top of that, its leaves catch rainwater that mitigates the impact of rainwater on the ground. Its decomposed litter enhances the structure of the soil and increases water infiltration by 40 percent. As a result, surface flow lessens which results in fewer landslides and soil erosion. Bitaog The roots and leaves of the Bitaog tree allow it to withstand typhoons. Bitaog trees have deep roots that allow them to hold the soil effectively and prevent erosion, according to the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) CALABARZON. On top of that, its dark green-colored leaves offer dense cover and defense against wind erosion and intense rainfall. This native tree is also one of the suggested trees in a research by the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau for stabilizing streambanks and flood-prone riverbanks in the country. The study is entitled “A Research Compendium for Damaged, Critical & Marginal Watershed Areas.”