Spatial relationship and ecosystem management
Issue Date
1-2012
Abstract
Developing countries such as the Philippines depend greatly on their natural resources and ecosystem services. However, the capacity to sustain these services is currently being pressured by various environmental hazards, mainly brought about by climate change. Thus, it is imperative to assess the vulnerability of the environment so that effective ecosystem-based management strategy can be developed to improve the sustainability of these services. This chapter presents a geospatial-based method in assessing the vulnerability of watersheds in the country to various environmental hazards. This model is called the Geospatial-Based Regional Environmental Vulnerability Index for Ecosystems and Watersheds, or, in short, the GeoREVIEW model. GeoREVIEW is composed of 21 indicators and each indicator is evaluated using a scale of 1 to 5. A scale of 1 indicates low vulnerability while a scale of 5 signifies high vulnerability. Finally, to determine the vulnerability level of the area, its overall vulnerability point (OVP) is calculated. This model is utilized to evaluate the vulnerability of two significant ecosystems near Metro Manila - the La Mesa Watershed (LMW) and the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR). Based on the assessment, it was found that both are already classified as "at risk" levels. However, MFR (OVP = 55.24) is found to be less vulnerable than LMW (OVP = 62.52). The results from this assessment can be used to improve the management of these areas and can also aid in targeting policy interventions associated with climate change. Copyright © 2012 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Source or Periodical Title
Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management
ISSN
2040-7262
Page
197-222
Document Type
Article
Language
English
Subject
Climate change, Ecosystem management, Ecosystem services, Vulnerability assessment, Watershed
Recommended Citation
Tiburan, C., Saizen, I., Kobayashi, S. (2012). Spatial Relationship and Ecosystem Management. Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, 197-222. doi:10.1108/S2040-7262(2012)0000012016.
Identifier
doi:10.1108/S2040-7262(2012)0000012016.
Digital Copy
yes