The Effect of Deforestation on Water Quality: A Case Study in Cienda Micro Watershed, Leyte, Philippines

The Effect of Deforestation on Water Quality: A Case Study in Cienda Micro Watershed, Leyte, Philippines

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Forests and water are important resources that provide both socioeconomic and ecological benefits. They also are connected, meaning that deforestation has a negative impact on the quality of water flowing through a watershed. This paper seeks to present the detailed effects and relationship between deforestation and water quality.

Goals & Methods

The objectives of the study is to determine the effects of deforestation on the physical and chemical quality of water and to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based water management scheme based in the Cienda Micro Watershed in the Philippines.  Weekly samplings were taken from three alternative land uses, which were that assessed for physical and chemical quality in a labratory under various parameters. The study also spoke to local farmers about their needs, priorities, and conservation practices

Conclusions & Takeaways

In regards to the farmers, the authors found that the greatest concern was food scarcity and that concerns regarding the function of the forest ecosystem is limited, leading to individuals continuing pursuing potentially damaging land uses. The study did conclude that there was no significant difference in the chemical analysis of the forest and deforested area's water samples but there was a clear contrast in physical properties. Specifically, the forest site had higher nitrate concentration compared to the deforested and agriculture sites. 

 

 

Reference: 

Dessie, A, Bredemeier, M. 2013. The Effect of Deforestation on Water Quality: A Case Study in Cienda Micro Watershed, Leyte, Philippines. Resources and Environment, 3(1): 1-9.

Affiliation: 

  • Department Name of Natural Resource Management, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
  • Forest Ecosystems Research Centre, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany