APPENDIX D3: PROFILE OF MABITAC RIVER

Mabitac River

I. Description of the Area

1. Location, site definition and boundaries

Mabitac River traverses Mabitac, before it empties to the . The town is in the Northeastern part of the Province, and 126 kilometers from (see Figure 1). The fifth income class municipality is geographically found between 14°23’00”, North latitude and between 121°22’00” and 121°26’30” east longitude.

Figure 1. Mabitac, Laguna Location Map. (Image source: wikipedia.org)

This river is part of the - Sub-basin, covering five (5) municipalities including , with a total land area of approximately about 7,663.33 hectares (LLDA, 2012). A portion of the area of Mabitac measuring 401.65 ha is also covered. 4.18% (LLDA, 2012).

Figure 2. Mabitac, Laguna Cover (Image source: Google Map 2019)

Figure 3. Mabitac River Location (Google image: Google Map 2019)

2. Photos of the the river

Plate 1. Photo of the River (May 23, 2019)

Plate 2. Photo of the River (May 23, 2019)

II. Environmental Information

1. Physical Characteristics

a. Climate The northern part of the province has relatively the same climate, wiyh significant rainfal and short dry persiods in an avergae annual basis. Siniloan, Laguna, the adcacent municipality of Mabitac, has a temperature here averages 27.0 °C. About 2635 mm of precipitation falls annually at the average 2 7.0 °Cand abot 2635 mm of precipitation falls annually (Climate.org, undated).

b. Water Quality and Hydrology

The stations for the assessment are located in the midstream and downstream of the Mabitac River (See Figure 4).

Figure 4. Sampling Stations of the assessment.

Tables 1 and 2 show the detailed observations from both stations (Midstream and downstream).

Table 1. Upstream observations in the Mabitac River. Parameter Description Location San Antonio/Upstream Weather / Velocity Cloudy / Fast Color Brown Substrate Sandy/Clay, Medium-sized rocks Canopy cover Semi-closed Stream Bank Prone to erosion, few vegetation, river wall Land Use Residential Coordinates Lat: N14⁰27.217 Long: E121⁰25.299 Others Bridge, organic waste from poultry, humans

Table 2. Downstream observations by the Water Quality Team. Parameter Description Location Matalatala, Downstream Weather / Velocity Sunny / Slow Color Brown Substrate Clay, Small - Medium Rocks Canopy cover Open Stream Bank Vegetation composed of shrubs, herbs Land Use Agriculture, Irrigation Coordinates Lat: N14⁰24.821 Long: E121⁰25.341 Others Organic wastes from fertilizers, animals

Furthermore, as show in Figure 5, The group observed heavy sedimentation in the midstream caused by the residents living near the river. On the other hand, heavier sedimentation was also seen in the downstream of the river caused by land use (agricultural) and coconut plantations (vulnerable to pollution).

Figure 6. Midstream (left) and Downstream (right) photos of the Mabitac River (May 23, 2019).

The computed water discharge of Mabitac River is three (3) cubic meter in the midstream per seconds and 0.855 cubic meter per seconds in the dowstream. Figure 7 and 7 show the plotted cross section of the midstream and downstream of the Mabitac River.

Figure 8. Midstream Cross Section.

Figure 9. Downstream Cross Section.

In terms of Water Quality, the Mabitac River approximately falls under the Class C and D categories in various water quality parameters (See Tables 3 and 4). This is based on the classification of freshwater in the : • Class AA/A: Source of drinking water • Class B: Recreational (Swimming, Bathing, etc) • Class C: Fishery, Agriculture, Irrigation, Boating • Class D: Navigable Water Table 3. Water Quality Analysis in the Midstream of Mabitac River.

Parameters A B C Class Parameters Temperature 27.4 27.4 27.5 Falls in all Class AA-B: 26-30 (⁰C) classes Class C: 25- 31 Class D: 25- 32 pH 7.33 7.31 7.21 Falls in Class AA-B: 6.5-8.5 all classes Class C-D: 6.5-9.0 DO (mg/L) 3.73 4.03 3.91 Class D Below 5 Conductivity 228 240 234 N/A (ꭒS/cm) TDS (mg/L) 148 156 152 Class D Above 110 Salinity (ppt) 0.07 0.07 0.07 N/A Turbidity 0 0 0 N/A

Table 3. Water Quality Assessment Results in the downstream. Parameters A B C Class Comparison Temperature 28.9 28.9 28.8 Falls in all classes pH 9.61 7.35 8.32 Class C-D DO 3.31 3.26 3.26 Class D Conductivity 219 221 214 N/A TDS 142 143 139 Class D Salinity 0.07 0.07 0.07 N/A Turbidity 0 0 0 N/A

The group had the chance to perform Phosphate and Nitrate Analysis. Both stations of the river fall within Class C category in terms of Phosphate, and also both Class A in Nitrate Concentration (See Table 5).

Table 4. Phosphate and Nitrate Analysis in the Mabitac River. Midstream Downstream Phosphate 1.0 (class C) 1.0 (class C)

Nitrate .165 (class A) .165 (class A)

Recommendations have been drawn after the hydrology and water quality assessment which are the following:

• Riverbank stabilization 20x20 meters both side of river. • Reforestation of bare areas and multistorey plantations in highly sloping areas. • Reforestations of critical areas and protected areas 1000m above sea level, slopes from 30 to 50 and above slopes(forested). • Effluents from residential areas should be regulated and solid wastes. 2. Biological Characteristics

a. Flora

For Station 1, 25 species from 14 Families were observed while 29 species from 20 Families were listed from Station 2. Most of the species from Station 1 belong to Families Fabaceae and Poaceae. In Station 2, Fabaceae (also called Leguminosae) recorded the most number of species while the rest are more or less equally distributed among the 28 Families. These species play important roles in the wetland ecosystem because most of them serve as producers for many organisms as well as habitat for some. But being the soil stabilizer, for us, is the most important because it can save not only the animals but also the people living in that area.

Tables 6 and 7 below are the lists of the identified flora at Station 1 and Station 2 of Mabitac River.

Table 5. Station 1 List of identified Flora in the Mabitac River. Family Scientific Name Sapindaceae Cardiospermum halicacabum Sphenocleaceae Sphenoclea zeylanica Tiliaceae Corchorus olitorius Verbenaceae Premna odorata Amaranthaceae Alternanthera sessilis Araceae Pistia stratioles Araceae Syngonium podophyllum Asteraceae Eclipta alba Asteraceae Sphagneticola trilobata Asteraceae Xanthium strumarium Boraginaceae Heliotropium indicum Convolvulaceae Merremia peltata Cyperaceae Cyperus imbricatus Fabaceae Alysicarpus ovalifolius Fabaceae Centrosema pubescens Fabaceae Mimosa diplotricha Fabaceae Mimosa pudica Hydrocharitaceae Vallisneria sp. Onagraceae Ludwigia parviflora Poaceae Bamboo Poaceae Brachiaria mutica Poaceae Cynodon dactylon Poaceae Echinocloa crus-galli Poaceae Panicum repens Poaceae Rottboellia exaltata

Table 6. Station 2 List of Flora in the Mabitac River. Family Scientific name Pontederiaceae Eichhornia crassipes Sapindaceae Cardiospermum halicacabum Solanaceae Capsicum anuum Solanaceae Solanum melongena Verbenaceae Premna odorata Verbenaceae Stachytarpheta jamaicenssis Amaranthaceae Amaranthus spinosus Asteraceae Eclipta alba Asteraceae Vernonia cinerea Cleomaceae Cleome monophylla Commelinaceae Commelina benghalensis Cyperaceae Cyperus imbricatus Cyperaceae Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae Fimbristylis sp. Euphorbiaceae Macaranga sp. Fabaceae Desmodium triflorum Fabaceae Centrosema pubescens Fabaceae Acacia Fabaceae Gliricidia sepium Hydrocharitaceae Vallisneria sp. Malvaceae Malva parviflora Passifloraceae Passiflora foetida Phyllantaceae Phyllantus niruri Piperaceae Piper aduncum Poaceae Panicum repens Poaceae Eleusine indica Hydrocharitaceae Vallisneria sp. Malvaceae Malva parviflora

b. Avifauna

There are 20 different species of birds observed and recorded of which 13 are resident species; four (4) are resident/migrant species; and three (3) are migrant species (see Table 8). The most observed species in the area are the Egret and Eurasian Tree Sparrow. All birds are classified as Least Concern in IUCN Red list of threatened species

Table 7. List of Avifauna identified in the area. Common Name Distribution Conservation Striated grassbird Resident Least Concern Yellow-vented bulbul Resident Least Concern Eurasian Tree Sparrow Resident Least Concern Zebra dove Resident Least Concern Olive-backed sunbird Resident Least Concern Collared kingfisher Resident Least Concern Long-tailed shrike Resident Least Concern Spotted Dove Resident Least Concern Black-winged stilt Migrant Least Concern Oriental pranticole Resident, Migrant Least Concern Paddyfield pipit Resident Least Concern Swinhoes’s snipe Migrant Least Concern Rufous night heron Resident Least Concern Whiskered Tern Migrant Least Concern Common Tern Resident Least Concern Warbler Resident Least Concern Common moorhen Resident, Migrant Least Concern Intermediate egret Resident, Migrant Least Concern Cattle egret Resident, Migrant Least Concern Chestnut munia Resident Least Concern

c. Entomofauna

For the entomofauna assessment, there are 11 species that were identified in the two (2) stations. Majority of the entomofauna found in site 2 can also be found in the site 1. Moreover, there are more species in site 1 than site 2. Table 9 shows the identified entomofauna in Mabitac River.

Table 8. List of identified Entomofauna in Mabitac River. Site 1 (Rice field and Mabitac River) Site 2 (Pond • Dragonfly (Odonata) • Dragonfly (Odonata) • Wasp (Hymenoptera) • Damselfly (Odonata) • Fly (Diptera) • Grasshopper (Orthoptera) • Moth (Lepidoptera) • Beetle (Coleoptera) • Caddisflies (Trichoptera) • Leafhopper (Hemiptera) • Katylids (Orthoptera) • Fly (Diptera) • Crickets (Orthoptera) • Wasp (Hymenoptera) • Grasshopper (Orthoptera) • Beetle (Coleoptera) • Leafhopper (Hemiptera)

d. Aquatic Fauna and Flora

In station 1, there was an unidentified aquatic insects found in the area. There were also Gastropods from the Thiaridae family which is considered to be moderately sensitive to certain degree of pollution (see Table 10). The following were the observations of the Entomofauna Group in the station 1:

• The water is clear. • We use the surber method to gather samples. • The rocks are fist size like and we observed that almost all of the rocks are mossy. • Rocky bottom. • It is moderately windy and the water movement is slow flow to stagnant and the condition is sunny but cloudy. • Some living organisms are present like tadpoles, snails, dragonflies, fish fry etc. • We also observed some egg of snails. • We saw houses near station 1. • There are thick vegetation in the areas

Table 9. Results of Macrofauna Assessment in Station 1. Time of Observation: 9:24am Station 1: 51 P 0328895 1594154 Organisms Found (in the water/river) • Gastropods (Thiaridae Family) • Unidentified insect (Larval Stage) Other materials (within the area) • Fist size to boulder like sizes of rocks. • Houses near the station. • Plants and other vegetations. Waterflow Slow flowing

Waste materials Dry leaves, litter/garbage

Waterbed Rocky

In station 2, organisms found in the area are Gastropods (Thiaridae Family) from the water sampling collection (See Table 11). Although the water is turbid, it was found that organisms still thrive in water body. The following are the observations of the team on station 2: • The water is moderately flowing and the color is brown. • We use ekman grab to gather samples. • The weather condition is sunny. • Dead fish,dragonfly and carabao were seen in the sampling area. • Thick vegetation in the vicinity. • Muddy bottom.

Table 10. Results of Macrofauna Assessment in Station 2. Time of Observation: 10:02am Station 2 51 P 0329887 1593986 Organisms Found (in the water/river) Gastropods (Thiaridae Family)

Other materials (within the area) • Boats • Sand Bags • Small to medium size of rocks. Waterflow Moderate

Waste materials Debris and plastics Dry leaves Waterbed Muddy

e. Ecosystem Services

RAPID ASSESSMENT OF WETLAND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FIELD ASSESSMENT SHEET Key How important? Wetland name: -Pagsangjan River + + Potential significant positive benefit GPS co- Lumban, Laguna 14 17' latitude and 121 27' ordinates longtitude + Potential positive benefit 0 Negligible benefit Date: February 6-8, 2019

- Potential negative benefit - - Potential significant Assessors: RAWES Group in Wetlands BioBlitz Event negative benefit

? Gaps in evidence Provisioning Services How Describe benefit Scale of benefit services important? Local Regional Global Fresh water + + Irrigation and livestock x Consumption Food + + Fishing/livelihood x

Fuel ?

Fibre + Presence of trees which can x be source of fiber Genetic resources + + Variety of species can be x found, including migratory birds Natural medicines or + + Some of the residents are pharmaceuticals saying that they can get some of the herbal plants such as Maraguso and Alukbati Ornamental + some plant species may be x resources used as ornamentals Clay, mineral, ? x aggregate harvesting Waste disposal - The midstream of the river is x habituated by residents of Mabitac; Burning of trash or pagsisiga is being practiced. Energy harvesting ? from natural air and water flows Regulatory Services How Describe benefit Scale of benefit Services important? Local Regional Global the wetland provides cooling Air quality regulation + + effect to the surrounding x environment It was observed that it is Local climate cooler temperature near the + + x regulation river compared to the built up areas Global climate wetlands are natural carbon + + x regulation sink

Water regulation + + stores and regulates water x stores and regulates water Flood hazard avoiding flooding; + + x regulation Contributes in water storage from Baryo Storm hazard ? regulation

Pest regulation ?

Disease regulation - ? human Potential diseases due to the Disease regulation - - presence of poultries near livestock the river

Erosion regulation ?

the wetlands act as water Water purification + + x purifier Presence of variety of Pollination ++ x pollinators

Salinity regulation ?

Fire regulation ?

Noise and visual The river act as buffer zone + buffering for noise Cultural Services Cultural heritage + + Yearly Festival are being held x Recreation and Informal recreational + x tourism purposes Relaxing view of the river Aesthetic value + x and surrounding Spiritual and ? religious value Relaxing view of the river Inspiration value + x and surrounding The river plays an important role on facilitating social Social relations + + activities of the people x because it is used for livelihood Presence of various species, Educational and + + forest and wetland research ecoystems which could be subjected to research and educational purposes Supporting Services Soil formation + + soils from organic materials x presence of primary Primary production + + x producers internal cycling of plant material, inputs of nutrients Nutrient cycling + + from floodwaters, presence x of fauna to recycling nutrients, etc

Water recycling ?

Reptiles (snakes, skink), Provision of habitat + + x birds, and amphibians

Soil formation + + soils from organic materials x

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