# Study Notes: Flood Mitigation Using Ficus benjamina in Mamala Creek ## Key Concepts ### Flooding in Mamala Creek - **Environmental Concern**: Heavy rainfall in Mamala Creek, Malaybalay City, leads to: - Soil erosion - Unstable riverbanks - Water overflow threatening local communities - **Need for Solutions**: Flooding poses risks to both the environment and human settlements, necessitating sustainable mitigation strategies. ### Role of Ficus benjamina (Balete Tree) - **Ecological Importance**: - Provides shelter and food for wildlife, especially birds. - Dense canopy and aerial roots create habitats, supporting biodiversity. - **Flood Mitigation Potential**: - Extensive root systems stabilize soil and regulate water runoff. - Deep, interwoven roots reinforce riverbanks, reducing collapse risks during heavy rains. - **Research Gap**: - Limited studies on the long-term effectiveness of Ficus benjamina in flood control, particularly in Mamala Creek. Ficus benjamina is not just a tree; it’s a natural ally in ecological conservation and disaster risk reduction. --- ## Study Objectives - Assess the feasibility of planting Balete trees in Mamala Creek as a natural flood control strategy. - Provide insights for ecological conservation and disaster risk reduction. --- ## Methodology ### Research Design - **Approach**: Qualitative exploratory and descriptive research. - **Methods**: - In-depth interviews - Thematic analysis ### Data Collection 1. **Participant Selection**: - Snowball sampling to connect with: - Environmental experts - Geologists - Local residents familiar with Mamala Creek 2. **Field Observations**: - Conducted in Mamala Creek, a flood-prone area. - Use of GPS devices and photography for documentation. 3. **Soil Stability Assessment**: - **Transect Walk Method**: - Systematic observation of the area. - Identification of potential Balete tree planting sites. 4. **Semi-Structured Interviews**: - Explore: - Flooding impacts - Erosion control - Conservation efforts 5. **Document Analysis**: - Review environmental reports from agencies like DENR and LGU. Using multiple data collection methods ensures a comprehensive understanding of the problem and potential solutions. --- ### Data Analysis - **Thematic Analysis**: - Six-step framework by Braun & Clarke (2016): 1. Familiarization with data 2. Generating initial codes 3. Searching for themes 4. Reviewing themes 5. Defining and naming themes 6. Producing the report - Focus on key themes such as: - Soil conditions - Community perspectives For instance, if interviews reveal that residents notice reduced erosion near existing Balete trees, this would support the hypothesis of their flood mitigation potential. --- ### Ethical Considerations - **Informed Consent**: - Participants will be fully informed about the study’s purpose and their role. - Participation will be voluntary, with confidentiality strictly maintained. - **Environmental Impact**: - Observations will be conducted with minimal disruption to the environment. Failing to obtain proper consent or causing environmental harm during research can compromise the study’s validity and ethical standing. --- ## Key Takeaways 1. **Flooding in Mamala Creek** is a pressing issue that threatens both the environment and local communities. 2. **Ficus benjamina** offers a promising natural solution due to its: - Soil stabilization properties - Ability to regulate water runoff - Support for biodiversity 3. **Research Gaps**: - Limited studies on the long-term effectiveness of Balete trees in flood mitigation. - Further investigation is needed to validate their potential in Mamala Creek. 4. **Methodology**: - A combination of interviews, field observations, and thematic analysis ensures a robust approach to understanding the problem and evaluating solutions. 5. **Ethical Practices**: - Ensuring informed consent and minimizing environmental impact are critical to the study’s success. This study could pave the way for integrating ecological conservation with disaster risk reduction strategies in flood-prone areas. --- ## Practice Questions 1. **Conceptual**: How does the root system of Ficus benjamina contribute to flood mitigation? 2. **Application**: If you were to assess the feasibility of planting Balete trees in another flood-prone area, what steps would you take? 3. **Critical Thinking**: What are the potential limitations of relying solely on Ficus benjamina for flood control? Use these questions to test your understanding and think critically about the study’s implications.