Land cover and water quality changes from 2005-2021 of the Paraaque River, Philippine: trends, impacts and recommendations
2023
Garcia, C.J.S.
Land cover changes (LCC) in Paraaque River watershed are brought by urbanization, but the study regarding these changes, and their potential impacts on the river's water quality was limited. Secondary data on water quality from 2005-2021 was provided by DENR-EMB NCR. Satellite imageries for the years 2005, 2014, and 2021 were downloaded from Landsat 4-5 TM and 8-9 OLI, QGIS and SCP were utilized for the classification of the satellite images. Statistical tests showed minimal spatial and significant temporal variability of the river's water quality. Four out of 7 primary parameters failed the DENR standard, phosphates, DO, BOD, fecal coliform, pH and nitrates showed improvement from 2019 to 2021 which may be due to intensive local and national efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay, and the reduced human activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Built-up continuously increased encroaching even the water bodies. Large areas of open lands were converted to build-ups, while vegetative covers increased because of various local and national greening initiatives. Only DO, pH, salinity, and phosphates showed significant correlation with built-up areas implying that other factors might have regulated the quality of the river. It likewise revealed the importance of vegetating the watershed to regulate river pollutants. Several policy recommendations were suggested such as the enactment of ordinances to establish Comprehensive Local Greening Program, and to incentivize establishment that would allocate space for flood mitigation programs. The success in the implementation of the policy recommendations relies on urgency and public participation.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]