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 Environmental Sensitivity Index Mapping for Davao Gulf
Mapping for Conservation... |
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 The proposed project aims to assess the vulnerability of the Davao Gulf area to agricultural wastes, industrial effluents and other forms of marine pollution. The project will apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to systematically map out and define ecologically important habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves; including economic-related support infrastructure, recreation areas and other cultural and historical features located in the gulf area, to ensure a low level of environmental impact from these pollutants. Satellite images will be processed to determine seasonal changes in plantation areas and verify any form of threats while applying an Environmental Sensitivity Index for Agricultural Wastes and Industrial Effluents. Such knowledge can lead to a decisive response to control or at least mitigate any adverse effects of wastes/ pollutants on environmentally sensitive areas surrounding the Davao Gulf.
The project has three phases:
PHASE I: Aerial Videography and Satellite Image Processing
High resolution maps are necessary to perform detailed classification and analyses, hence aerial videography coupled with Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and supplemented with ground truth survey procedures, will be conducted to obtain detailed information about existing coastal features and infrastructures, remaining ecosystems, as well as existing threats.
Objectives:
- To produce detailed maps of the Davao gulf coastal region, covering Davao City and the four provinces namely Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley;
- To produce classified satellite images of major plantations and assess changes forest/land cover over a defined period, signifying extent of expansion;
- To produce various thematic maps of Davao Gulf region as layer requirements for the sensitivity mapping and analysis.
PHASE II: Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Mapping
This phase will test the applicability and effectiveness of the Guidelines for Environmental Sensitivity Index mapping for agricultural wastes and industrial effluents in the Davao Gulf region. Sensitivity maps of the land, coastal and marine areas of the Davao Gulf region, with major focus on the groundwater and soil resource, will be ranked according to their sensitivity to agricultural wastes and industrial effluents.
Objectives:
- To systematically identify, classify, map and evaluate the following: groundwater resources and soil conditions throughout major plantation areas and located near major resource extraction areas, such as mining and existing sensitive ecosystems throughout the coastal lowlands;
- To rank groundwater and soil resources according to their sensitivity to agricultural wastes and industrial effluents;
- To rank shoreline characteristics and marine habitats according to their Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) for oil spills;
To rank inland communities according to the extent of impact from agricultural wastes and industrial effluents and the level of threat from these point sources.
PHASE III: Strengthening Intersectoral Cooperation on Pollution Prevention
Intersectoral cooperation will be strengthened to manage the gulf and its resources. The project ’s output will be a vital support to the establishment or reinforcement of the necessary legislative framework, organizational structure, manpower skills, technical standards and operational procedures needed for the development of an effective and responsive coastal and marine pollution management framework for the Davao Gulf area.
Objectives:
- To increase the capacity of local communities and stakeholders in monitoring and assessing land, coastal and marine pollution;
- To promote familiarity with the use of the ESI Geodatabase and its applications to pollution monitoring and mitigation planning;
- To promote recognition and appreciation of GIS technology by providing an overall understanding of the fundamental concepts GIS and its component technologies, its applications and relevance to environmental protection and conservation.
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