Technologies- La Niņa

(Forestry Sector)

  

Streambank Stabilization through 

Vegetative Means  
 

Description

Riverbanks or streambanks, devoid of vegetation, are subject to erosion because of drastic changes in level and velocity of water. This causes greater parts of the banks to be exposed, which renders the soil unstable and vulnerable to further deterioration.

Indigenous forest trees, fruit trees, and bamboos can be planted along riverbanks to cover the exposed surface of these critical areas. These vegetative measures can protect these hazardous areas from further erosion.

Requirements for Adoption

a. Minimum

  • in low to medium water level zone

Plant only shrubs and grasses. Choose species resistant to prolonged inundation, and flexible enough not to break in the current.

  • in the adjoining zone from medium to high water levels

Plant mainly shrubs mixed occasionally with trees, palms, and bamboos.

  • in narrow streams or river beds

Trees below the high water level reduce the runoff diameter and increase the stream velocity and cause erosion.

  • in high water level zones

Plant trees, palms, or bamboo, with or without shrubs.

  • above the highest water level

Plant trees, preferably mixed with shrubs, above the highest water level.

  • below the water level

Reeds can protect lakeshores and slow flowing rivers. Establish aquatic plants below the water level and sometimes within a stone piling.

.b. Information

  • Recommended tree and bamboo species for stream bank stabilization:

Tree species

Akle 
Serialbizia acle

Anchoan 
Cassia spectabilis

African tulip 
Spathodea campanulata

Albizzia 
Paraserianthes falcataria

Antipolo 
Arthocarpus blancoi

Bangkal 
Nauclea orientalis

Batino 
Alstonia macrophylla

Bitaog 
Calophyllum inoculum

Balsa 
Ochroma pyramidale

Balobo 
Diplodiscus paniculata

Cinchoma 
Cinchoma succirubra

Coconut 
Cocos nucifera

Dao 
Dracontomelon dao

Dita 
Alstonia scholaris

Yemane 
Gmelina arborea

Gubas 
Endospermum peltatum

Ipil-ipil 
Leucaena leucocephala

Kalumpang 
Sterculia foetida

Kaatoan bangkal 
Anthocephalus chinensis

Kalantas 
Toona calantas

Kayugalo 
Sindora inermis

Lanete 
Wrightia pubescens

Lumbang 
Aleurites moluccana

Mahogany 
Swietenia macrophylla

Marang 
Litsea perrottetti

Malunggay 
Moringa oleifera

Mindanao cinnamon 
Cinnamomun mindanensis

Narra 
Pterocarpus indicus

Santol 
Sandoricum koetjape

Supa 
Sindora supa

Teak 
Tectona grandis

Tibig 
Ficus nota

Tindalo 
Afzelia rhomboidea

Taui 
Bischofia javanica

Para rubber 

Jevea brazilienensis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bamboo Species

 

 Kawayan tinik

 Bambusa blumeana
Kawayan kiling  Bambusa vulgaris
Kawayan dilaw Bambusa vulgaris var. striata
Laak  Bambusa philippinensis
Bayog  Dendrocalamus merrilianus
Botong  Dencrocalamus latiflorus
Giant bamboo  Dendrocalamus asper
Buho  Schizostachium lumampao
Anos  Schizotachium lima

Advantages

  • intercepts rainfall, thus minimizing splash effect on soil

  • holds back excessive runoff that accumulates in the rivers causing floods

  • holds the soil in place by plant roots

  • reduces the impact of water flow or farm flooding

  • filters sediments, thereby reduces sediment load in the stream or river

  • makes the area along the river or stream productive

  • yields products as sources of additional income when sold

Limitations

  • no known limitations

Recommendations

  • Other tree species should also be studied in terms of their adaptability to adverse,
    flood-prone riverbank sites.

Possible Areas of Application

  •  nationwide

Dysfunctional Consequences

  •  no known dysfunctional consequences

Reference

ACIAR, DPI, and SEARCA. Catalogue of conservation practices for sloping land agriculture. College, Laguna: SEARCA, 1997.
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