National Research and Development Project for Watershed Management: Pagsanjan-Lumban Watershed, Laguna [Philippines]

Date

12-2023

Abstract

The National Research and Development Project of Watershed Management: Pagsanjan-Lumban watershed was implemented in three years to set up a Philippine Network of Learning Watersheds with the aim of developing empirical databases for watershed management in the Philippines. The project include mainly the characterization of learning watersheds in terms of its physical, biological, physical, socio-economic attributes and the regular monitoring of watershed resources and services. Specifically, this project aimed to: a)develop profiles of the biological, physical, socio-economic environment of watersheds, b)identity critical areas within the watersheds through vulnerability assessment, and c)instrument the watershed for baseline information generation and concurrent monitoring of changes in the watersheds, and the natural and social systems that influence the watersheds.Two ha biodiversity plot, measuring 100 m x 200m and subdivided into quadrats measuring 20m x 20m were established in the upstream part of the watershed to provide baseline distribution of the species present within watershed. Likewise, for monitoring purposes, automated water level monitoring systems (AWLS) and automated weather station (AWS) were installed in the project sites. Multiparameter water quality meter was also used to monitor the changes in the water quality of the watershed. Among the various land cover in the watershed, coconut covers the largest area of 15,058 ha or 33 percent of watershed while closed canopy forests covers the smallest area. Based on its geomorphological characteristics, flooding in the watershed is gradual and flash floods would not normally occur at the downstream. The drainage density value is relatively high (0.72 km/km sup 2), which may be due to the presence of impermeable sub-surface material, sparse vegetation and high relief. In terms of the pH of water, results showed that water is more basic in the upstream. Temporal variation shows that electrical conductivity is higher during dry season than rainy season. The water quality declined as the water moves from upstream to downstream due to watershed loading from households and agricultural areas. More so, amidst having highly cultivated perennial land cover, there are still diverse species composition of trees, wildlife including insects and microfungi found in the watershed that needs to be conserved and protected. The abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity index of these species vary based on the season. In terms of vulnerability assessment, results showed that the watershed has low to moderate vulnerability to landslide. Generally, the area has low to moderate susceptibility to flooding and only the Municipality of Lumban was found to be highly susceptible to flooding. Further, there are 112 ordinances/resolutions that pertain to environmental issues within the Pagsanjan-Lumban Watershed. Only 22 ordinances were enacted in the mid 70's to mid 80's. Majority of the ordinances (81) were passed within the years 1990-2006. Among the practices employed in a regular basis are river management, tree planting activities, solid waste management, organic farming and disaster risk management. To further involve and enhance the skills of the LGUs, local community and other stakeholders, the Project conducted Capacity building activities such as meeting cum workshops and trainings, Youth Conference and Policy Forum. Likewise, a watershed postal was developed where all data collected on the ground were uploaded and updates as well as articles about the project, its activities and its findings were included. This project will be further improved for the viewers and visitors to increase their appreciation on watershed and its importance.

Language

English

Document Type

Article

Pages /Collation

438 leaves

En – AGROVOC descriptors

WATERSHEDS; WATERSHED MANAGEMENT; DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; DATABASES; BIODIVERSITY; DIFFUSION OF INFORMATION; INTERNET; DATA COLLECTION; MONITORING; PHILIPPINES

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