The Geospatial Water Erosion Prediction Project (GeoWEPP v10.2) was tested using data from field survey in three study site within Taganibong Watershed, Bukidnon. This field survey data such as waypoints and soil data was processed and edited through ArcGIS software to prepare for model simulation. Weather information were collected using Automatic Weather Station on an hourly basis at the study site. Climate data was created using Breakpoint Climate Data Generator (BPCDG) which allows direct use of observed storm and other daily standard climate datasets.
Model simulation was applied in three land cover to evaluate their abilities in reducing runoff and their effects on other water balance parameters. For the study area, the bamboo area with undisturbed harvesting practices has more effective way in reducing surface runoff based on the results of model simulation. On the other hand, the cultivated area (corn) produce highest surface runoff due to the exposure of soil after harvesting period.
Statistical analysis was applied to determine the effects of different land cover to the amount of water balance given the amount of rainfall in monthly basis. Magnitude of rainfall as the primary input to water balance has a huge effects in return to hydrologic processes (percolation, soil water, subsurface lateral flow, etc). This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for land use zoning, policy implementation, soil and water conservation in upland watersheds.
Table of Contents
1. Background
2. Methodology
2.1 Study Area
2.2 Data Collection of Parameter Files
2.2.1 Climate Data Collection
2.2.2 Land Cover and Plant Parameters Data Collection
2.2.3 Slope Data Collection
2.2.4 Soil Data Collection
2.2.5 Data Preparation and Processing of Database File
2.2.5.1 Digital Elevation Model
2.2.5.2 Land cover and Soil Map Layers
2.2.5.3 Climate Database File
2.2.5.4 Landuse/Management Database File
2.2.5.5 Soil Database File
2.2.5.6 Slope Database File
2.3 Model Simulation Run
2.4 Statistical Analysis
3. Results and Discussion
3.1 GIS Layers
3.2 Water balance simulation
3.3 Statistical Analysis
4. Conclusion
5. Literature Cited
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this study is to utilize the GeoWEPP v10.2 model to estimate and simulate the water balance parameters across three distinct land cover types (bamboo, cultivated, and fallow) within the Taganibong Watershed. The research seeks to evaluate how different land management practices influence hydrologic processes such as runoff, percolation, and soil water content.
- Application of the GeoWEPP model for hydrologic simulation in upland watersheds.
- Comparative analysis of water balance parameters among different vegetation and land use covers.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of bamboo versus cultivated crops in runoff reduction.
- Evaluation of GIS integration in processing environmental data for spatial watershed modeling.
- Statistical correlation between rainfall patterns and resulting water balance components.
Excerpt from the Book
Background
A watershed is a topographically delineated area that is drained by a river system (i.e., the total land area above some point on a stream or river that drains past that point). It is a hydrologic unit that often is used as a physical-biological unit and a socio-economic political unit for the planning and management of natural resources (World Forestry Congress, 2003 as cited by Talisay, 2015). As a component of forestry, watershed provides quality and quantity freshwater for unlimited human needs and for the habitat of wild animals. Most of the country’s watershed has undergone massive changes over the years and are currently in varied stages of considered degradation thereby needing deliberate rehabilitation efforts. Out of these watershed areas, some are 127 proclaimed watersheds, which are intended to be managed and protected. However, these areas were heavily encroached and subjected to various types of cultivation. Consequently, 90% of these proclaimed watersheds were categorized as hydrologically critical, characterized by degraded biophysical conditions and have become risks to downstream infrastructure (DENR-ERDB, 2010). As evidences of watershed degradation are the physical manifestations of problems such as soil erosion, polluted water runoff, evidence of frequent flooding, sediment-filled channels and reservoirs, and shortages of potable water.
Summary of Chapters
Background: Defines the importance of watersheds as hydrologic and socio-economic units and discusses the critical state of many proclaimed watersheds in the Philippines due to land degradation.
Methodology: Details the site location, data collection processes for climate and soil, and the application of the GeoWEPP model and GIS tools for data preparation and simulation.
Results and Discussion: Presents the findings of the GeoWEPP simulations, including comparisons of runoff, soil moisture, and percolation across land covers, supported by GIS mapping and statistical analysis.
Conclusion: Summarizes the effectiveness of the GeoWEPP model as a planning tool and highlights that bamboo areas are more effective in reducing surface runoff compared to cultivated lands.
Keywords
GeoWEPP, Water balance, Taganibong, Watershed, Runoff, Land cover, Hydrology, Soil erosion, GIS, Bamboo, Simulation, Watershed management, Environmental impact, Percolation, Statistical analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on estimating water balance parameters within the Taganibong Watershed using the GeoWEPP model to understand the hydrological impact of different land covers.
What are the primary land cover types evaluated in this study?
The study evaluates three specific land covers: bamboo area, cultivated area (corn), and fallow area.
What is the main objective of using the GeoWEPP model?
The main objective is to simulate and predict the water balance, including surface runoff, deep percolation, and soil water content, to support land use zoning and policy implementation.
Which scientific methodology is employed for data processing?
The methodology integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the WEPP model, using field-collected waypoints, soil samples, and weather data to run simulations.
What topics are covered in the main body of the study?
The main body covers the site description, the complex process of data preparation (including DEM and soil maps), the simulation methodology, and the analysis of monthly rainfall versus runoff.
Which keywords best describe the scope of this work?
Key terms include GeoWEPP, Water balance, Taganibong, Watershed, and Runoff, reflecting the study's focus on hydrologic modeling and land management.
How does bamboo land cover compare to cultivated land in this study?
The study found that bamboo stands are significantly more effective at reducing surface runoff and improving soil properties compared to cultivated areas, which produced the highest runoff.
Why is the role of rainfall magnitude highlighted?
Rainfall is identified as the primary input to the water balance, significantly influencing downstream hydrologic processes like deep percolation and subsurface lateral flow.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding watershed management?
The author concludes that GeoWEPP is a valuable tool for watershed managers to identify problematic areas and implement strategies to minimize severe runoff and erosion.
What significance is attributed to the statistical analysis performed?
The statistical analysis demonstrates a significant positive correlation between rainfall and hydrological parameters like runoff and deep percolation across the studied land covers.
- Quote paper
- Forester Bryan Allan Talisay (Author), 2015, Water Balance Estimation Of Selected Land Cover In Taganibong Watershed, Bukidnon Using GEOWEPP Model, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/342254
