Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 12(3), pp. 232 - 252
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2024.120302
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Assessment of Potential Impact to Soil Erosion in Aklan River Watershed: A GIS Remote Sensing Approach

Gene T. Señeris ^*, Eva R. Orlina , Carmenchita M. Tumaca , Melba L. Raga-as
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Aklan State University, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Soil erosion remains a pressing issue in the mountainous regions of the Philippines and worldwide. The Aklan river watershed, situated within the Aklan province of the Philippines, significantly contributes to the prevalent soil erosion challenges due to its rugged terrain, inadequate vegetation cover, and improper land utilization practices. An analysis using secondary data to assess soil erosion vulnerability within the Aklan River watershed was conducted. Various factors influencing rainfall, typhoons, slopes, land cover, soil, and drainage, were sourced from various agencies. These factors were later categorized based on the crucial soil vulnerability scale and assigned weights using GIS methods. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was applied to compute geospatial data depicting the potential impact of soil erosion. The resulting impact map reveals that the upstream areas of the Aklan River watershed exhibit a high to very high potential for soil erosion, covering approximately 25,351 hectares (28.65%) and 11,965 hectares (13.52%), respectively. Conversely, low-lying regions demonstrate a much lower vulnerability to erosion, encompassing 13,992 hectares (15.81%), 14,114 hectares (15.95%), and 23,055 hectares (26.06%), respectively. The study's principal findings indicate that the low-lying municipalities of Balete, Banga, Libacao, Madalag, Makato, Malinao, and Numancia in the Aklan Province exhibit very low to moderate vulnerable to soil erosion. In contrast, higher elevated areas situated in the upper stream of the watershed, such as Culasi, Sebaste, Tibiao in Antique, Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz, and Calinog in Iloilo, are classified as highly to very highly vulnerable to soil erosion. These study outcomes provide valuable geospatial data pinpointing areas of concern. Policy decision-makers can utilize this information as essential input for formulating soil conservation measures, land use planning strategies, and resilience plans aimed at addressing soil erosion and other anthropogenic hazards that may arise.

KEYWORDS
Aklan River Watershed, Geospatial Analysis, Hazard, Potential Impact, Soil Erosion, Vulnerability Assessment

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Gene T. Señeris , Eva R. Orlina , Carmenchita M. Tumaca , Melba L. Raga-as , "Assessment of Potential Impact to Soil Erosion in Aklan River Watershed: A GIS Remote Sensing Approach," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 232 - 252, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2024.120302.

(b). APA Format:
Gene T. Señeris , Eva R. Orlina , Carmenchita M. Tumaca , Melba L. Raga-as (2024). Assessment of Potential Impact to Soil Erosion in Aklan River Watershed: A GIS Remote Sensing Approach. Environment and Ecology Research, 12(3), 232 - 252. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2024.120302.