Philippine E-Journals

Changing Urban Landscape and Its Implications in Environmental Management: The Case of Calamba City, Philippines

Ricardo T. Bagarinao

Discipline: Natural Sciences, Environmental Science

 

Abstract:

Urban landscape is a dynamic system that is altered by disturbances. The changes in landscape patterns between 2003 and 2010 of an urban area in the Philippines were analyzed by using landscape metrics related to size and shape. A transition table was created to determine the transformation of land class type within the period of analysis. Eight land class types were identified by using the land use-land cover classification scheme used by NAMRIA (i.e. closed forest, open forest, annual cropland, perennial cropland, built-up area, wooded grassland, grassland, and shrubland). Annual cropland dominated the landscape in 2003 while built-up area dominated in 2010. There is a significant reduction in the computed class area for annual cropland between 2003 and 2010 due to its conversion to built-up area, grassland, and forests in 2010. Computed landscape metrics indicate shape complexity for all land class types, and relatively less fragmented landscape. The increasing computed class area for built-up area between 2003 and 2010 highlights the need to implement an effective management strategy that can address flooding, solid waste disposal, and pollution. Unless this will be done, the rapid urbanization of the City will lead to a greater environmental catastrophe in the future.