Research Note: Stream water quality of a Community-BasedForest Management (CBFM)-protected watershedin Baybay, Leyte, Philippines

Arturo  E. Pasa,

Research Note: Stream water quality of a Community-BasedForest Management (CBFM)-protected watershedin Baybay, Leyte, Philippines

Abstract:

The study assessed the quality of stream water of the watershed within the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Project in Cienda, Gabas, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines. Results showed that, on the average, streamflow velocity was 0.30m/sec, streamflow volume 0.32m3/sec, turbidity 2.96 ntu and the associated sediments 16.0 mg/ L. Odor and taste were unobjectionable. pH ranged from 7.50 to 7.0 while total hardness from 7.84 to 15.16 mg/L. The average nitrite (NO2) content was 11.115mg/L while nitrate (NO3) was 1.05 mg/L. The concentration of nutrients was also very low. Phosphorous (P) ranged only from 2.20 to 4.46 mg/kg or parts per million (ppm) while potassium (K) ranged from 3.71 to 3.90 ppm. Sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were also very low. Heavy metals were detected but also at low concentrations.

References:

ASIO, V.B. 1996. Characteristics, weathering, formation, and degradation of soils from volcanic rocks in Leyte, Philippines. Hohenheimer Bodenkundliche Hefte 33, Stuttgart, Germany
CRMF, 2002. Community-based forest management project profile. Cienda-San Vicente Farmers Association, Cienda, Gabas, Baybay, Leyte.
DE LOS ANGELES, M. 2007. Personal communication, Environmental Economic Consultant, World Bank Institute, Washington DC.
DENR Administrative Order 34 S 1990. Revised water usage and classification. Water quality criteria amending section numbers 68-69, chapter III of the NPCC rules and regulations. Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
DZURIK, A.A. 2003. Water resources planning. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
FAO, 2006. Better Forestry, Less Poverty: a practitioners guide. FAO Forestry Paper 149. Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy.
FAO, 2006. The new generation of watershed management programmes and projects. FAO Forestry Paper 150. Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy.
LEAN, G., D. HINRICHSEN and A. MARKHAM. (1990), WWF Atlas of the Environment, Prentice Hall, New York.
PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration) Agrometeorology Station). 2007. Average annual rainfall and temperature in midwestern Leyte. Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte.
RAP Publication. 2005. In Search of Excellence: Exemplary Forest Management in Asia and the Pacific. P. Durst, C. Brown, H.D. Tacio and M. Ishikawa Eds. Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission. FAO regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok.
REBUGIO, L.L., et al. 2005. Forest Restoration in the Philippines: A Review for Research and Development Initiatives. Los Banos: College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB. ASEAN-KOREA Environmental Cooperation Project.
RUPES. 2002. Primer on Developing Mechanisms for Rewarding the Upland Poor in Asia for Environmental Services They Provide. World Agroforestry Centre, Los Baños, Laguna, the Philippines.
VAN NOORDWIJK, M. 2007. Personal communication, ICRAF Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia, Bogor, Indonesia.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. 1993. Revised guidelines for drinking water quality (184). Geneva, Switzerland.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. 2004. Guidelines for drinking water quality. Third Edition. Geneva, Switzerland.