Mini Forest in Lingayen, Pangasinan: An Adaptive Response to Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Reduction

Abstract

The main objective of this exploratory study is to identify barangays that could host and develop the proposed miniforest in Lingayen, Pangasinan according to the various factors: climatope, hygrotope, topotrope, and physiogeographic setting of the said barangay. Corollary to this, the study also seeks to layout the plan for the development and sustainability of the mini forest as a climate change mitigation strategy. A survey was conducted involving the different stakeholders to determine their favorability/acceptance of the proposed mini forest. In this study, the proposed mini forest was classified into agro forest, beach forest and bakawan/swamp forest as dictated by the geographical characteristics and physiographic profile of the surveyed barangays. It also determined the adaptability/sustainability of trees and shrubs in relation to this proposed project. Included in the survey are the prioritized strategies, adequacy/availability of physical, human and financial resources needed in the establishment of a mini forest. In addition, barangay captains are asked of their opinions why or why they are not interested in the project. The establishment of agro forest, beach forest and bakawan/swamp forest is perceived to be favorable in terms of climatope, hydrotope, soil features and physiographic factors. Barangay Balangobong and Domalandan West are the two barangays which have high favorability/acceptability of putting up the three types of mini forest due to their nearness to the river system and the shoreline of Lingayen Gulf. Six trees such as mango, ipilipil, santol, mahogany, caimito and tamarind were identified to have high potential for adaptability and sustainability to be planted and for the shrubs bayabas, guyabano, calamansi, and papaya while tupang bakod, anonas, kadios and oranges have low potentiality. The needed strategies for the establishment and management of the mini forest such as research, community organization and development were identified to be of “ average priority” while to mobilized active participation of the community have the “ high priority”. All the physical, human and financial resources are available in all of the barangays involved in the study. The benefits perceived to be by the respondents derived to preserve coastal margin of Lingayen Gulf came out as the number one reason. Other reasons cited were; trees are important in CO2 sequestration, to provide shoreline protection and for biodiversity conservation, which was also cited by barangay chairmen interested in putting up all the three types of mini forest. It is highly recommended that the establishment of a mini forest in the form of agro forest, beach forest and bakawan/swamp forest is a strategy to mitigate climate change and at the same time to rehabilitate the coastal and river ecosystems. Also the forest will be a means of risk reduction in time of storm surge, tsunamis and other calamities. This can be achieved thru the assistance of Local Government Unit (LGU) by providing financial assistance and support; and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for supplies of trees and shrubs.