The Potentials of Kabugan Cave for Ecotourism and Sustainable Resource Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic L. Billen
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Exotic Plant Species ◽  
Main Road ◽  
Sustainable Resource Management ◽  
Land Use Plan ◽  
Philippine Government

Caves are valued for their scientific, economic, educational, cultural, historical and aesthetic importance.  Because of this, the Philippine government has continuously implemented numerous initiatives for the protection and preservation of caves.  To this end, many groups and agencies are conducting an assessment on the potential of caves for ecotourism purposes.  This study was done to assess the Kabugan Cave in Brgy. Tagukon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to assess the biophysical condition of the cave, determine the faunal and floral species composition, the threats and the present use of the cave, and cave viability for ecotourism destination. The cave was 430.0 meter away from the main road and accessible by all means of land transportation. The surface was vegetated with different endemic and exotic plant species. Three vertebrate such as bats “Ptenochirus jagori”, birds “Aeodramus fuciphagus” frog “Platymantis species” and one invertebrate like  Tailless whip scorpions “Amblypygi” that considered few. The cave is used as playing ground and resting area of the farmers. Source of drinking water was observed within the vicinity of the cave. Anthropogenic activities such as vandalism, graffiti, and hole digging inside the cave were drastically observed. The cave got an average assessment score of 0.62 and is classified as Class 3. This means that the cave is potential for ecotourism and safe to cater visitors for exploration, educational tour, research and other forms of documentation. It is recommended that Kabugan Cave should include in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as a potential for ecotourism. 

scholarly journals Hydro-torrential hazard vs. anthropogenic activities along the Seti valley, Kaski, Nepal: Assessment and recommendations from a risk perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 58-87
Author(s):  
Narayan Gurung ◽  
Monique Fort ◽  
Rainer Bell ◽  
Gilles Arnaud-Fassetta ◽  
Narayan Raj Maharjan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Functional Space ◽  
Seismic Gap ◽  
Access Road ◽  
Pokhara Valley

The Seti River originates from the Annapurna Massif in the Higher Himalaya of Nepal and flows through the Pokhara valley in the Lesser Himalaya. The Seti River witnessed a disastrous flash flood on May 5th, 2012 causing the death of 72 people, obliterating dozens of homes and damaging infrastructures worth millions of dollars. Despite the 2012 flood event and several warnings by scientists for more yet bigger scale future floods in the Seti valley, fluvial risk is being aggravated by anthropogenic activities such as unplanned human settlement, encroachment of riverbanks, haphazard construction of road, drinking water, and hydropower projects in potential flood hazard areas in addition to the increased impacts of climate change on geological and hydro-metrological hazards as in other parts of Hindu Kush Himalayan Range. Covering some 40-km distance from the Seti headwater (Sabche Cirque) down to Pokhara city, the study is carried out based on hydro-geomorphological mapping, analysis of land-use and land-cover change, hydrological analysis including HEC-RAS modelling, historical archives, and interviews with local people. The study shows a significant change on the land use and land cover of the Seti catchment, mainly the urban/built-up area, which is increased by 405% in 24 years period (1996 to 2020) and by 47% in 7 years period (2013 to 2020). Further the study reveals that anthropogenic activities along the Seti valley have increased fluvial risk and are likely to invite more disasters. From the HEC-RAS analysis, two motor bridges built over Seti River were found to have insufficient freeboard to safely pass the highest flood discharge for 100 years return-period. Instead of relocating people to safer places, the government and local authorities rather seem to have encouraged people to live in the floodplain by providing basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity and access road. Given the context of climate change and Pokhara valley and the Seti catchment being in a high-seismic gap zone, there is a strong possibility of similar flood to the scale of 2012 or even greater in Seti River. Though the fluvial risk can be managed in a sustainable way through the application of functional space concept, i.e., by allowing more space (freedom) for rivers, this economic and environment friendly approach of the fluvial risk management has not been implemented yet in the Seti valley nor in Nepal. Rather the encroachment of floodplains by anthropogenic activities along the Seti valley is on an increasing trend. Many settlements and infrastructures along the valley have been identified vulnerable to hydro-torrential hazards, therefore it is utmost necessity to implement functional space river concept, land use and land plan policy, early warning system and public awareness education in order to mitigate and manage the future impact of fluvial hazards along the Seti valley.

scholarly journals Water Quality and Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Some Karst Water Sources in Apuseni Mountains, Romania

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 857
Author(s):  
Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia ◽  
Ana Moldovan ◽  
Eniko Kovacs ◽  
Ionut Cornel Mirea ◽  
Marius Kenesz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Major Ions ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Main Process ◽  
Karst Water ◽  
Rock Interaction ◽  
Apuseni Mountains ◽  
Karst Waters

Human activities and natural factors determine the hydrogeochemical characteristics of karst groundwaters and their use as drinking water. This study assesses the hydrogeochemical characteristics of 14 karst water sources in the Apuseni Mountains (NW Romania) and their potential use as drinking water sources. As shown by the Durov and by the Piper diagrams, the chemical composition of the waters is typical of karst waters as it is dominated by HCO3− and Ca2+, having a circumneutral to alkaline pH and total dissolved solids ranging between 131 and 1092 mg L−1. The relation between the major ions revealed that dissolution is the main process contributing to the water chemistry. Limestone and dolostone are the main Ca and Mg sources, while halite is the main Na and Cl source. The Gibbs diagram confirmed the rock dominance of the water chemistry. The groundwater quality index (GWQI) showed that the waters are of excellent quality, except for two waters that displayed medium and good quality status. The quality of the studied karst waters is influenced by the geological characteristics, mainly by the water–rock interaction and, to a more limited extent, by anthropogenic activities. The investigated karst waters could be exploited as drinking water resources in the study area. The results of the present study highlight the importance of karst waters in the context of good-quality water shortage but also the vulnerability of this resource to anthropogenic influences.

scholarly journals Estimating Soil Water Susceptibility to Salinization in the Mekong River Delta Using a Modified DRASTIC Model

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1636
Author(s):  
Thanh N. Le ◽  
Duy X. Tran ◽  
Thuong V. Tran ◽  
Sangay Gyeltshen ◽  
Tan V. Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Drastic Model ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
Modified Drastic

Saltwater intrusion risk assessment is a foundational step for preventing and controlling salinization in coastal regions. The Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) is highly affected by drought and salinization threats, especially severe under the impacts of global climate change and the rapid development of an upstream hydropower dam system. This study aimed to apply a modified DRASTIC model, which combines the generic DRASTIC model with hydrological and anthropogenic factors (i.e., river catchment and land use), to examine seawater intrusion vulnerability in the soil-water-bearing layer in the Ben Tre province, located in the VMD. One hundred and fifty hand-auger samples for total dissolved solids (TDS) measurements, one of the reflected salinity parameters, were used to validate the results obtained with both the DRASTIC and modified DRASTIC models. The spatial analysis tools in the ArcGIS software (i.e., Kriging and data classification tools) were used to interpolate, classify, and map the input factors and salinization susceptibility in the study area. The results show that the vulnerability index values obtained from the DRASTIC and modified DRASTIC models were 36–128 and 55–163, respectively. The vulnerable indices increased from inland districts to coastal areas. The Ba Tri and Binh Dai districts were recorded as having very high vulnerability to salinization, while the Chau Thanh and Cho Lach districts were at a low vulnerability level. From the comparative analysis of the two models, it is obvious that the modified DRASTIC model with the inclusion of a river or canal network and agricultural practices factors enables better performance than the generic DRASTIC model. This enhancement is explained by the significant impact of anthropogenic activities on the salinization of soil water content. This study’s results can be used as scientific implications for planners and decision-makers in river catchment and land-use management practices.

Do vegetal communities dominated by invasive exotic plant species affect the structure of bird communities in an Atlantic Forest area?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-249
Author(s):  
Cleverton da Silva ◽  
Arleu Barbosa Viana-Junior ◽  
Cristiano Schetini de Azevedo ◽  
Juliano Ricardo Fabricante
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Exotic Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Exotic

scholarly journals Groundwater salinity variation in Upazila Assasuni (southwestern Bangladesh), as steered by surface clay layer thickness, relative elevation and present-day land use

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 1431-1451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floris Loys Naus ◽  
Paul Schot ◽  
Koos Groen ◽  
Kazi Matin Ahmed ◽  
Jasper Griffioen
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Shallow Depth ◽  
Hydrological Processes ◽  
Groundwater Salinity ◽  
Clay Layer ◽  
Fresh Groundwater ◽  
Salinity Variation ◽  
Clay Layers

Abstract. In the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh, options for drinking water are limited by groundwater salinity. To protect and improve the drinking water supply, the large variation in groundwater salinity needs to be better understood. This study identifies the palaeo and present-day hydrological processes and their geographical or geological controls that determine variation in groundwater salinity in Upazila Assasuni in southwestern Bangladesh. Our approach involved three steps: a geological reconstruction, based on the literature; fieldwork to collect high-density hydrological and lithological data; and data processing to link the collected data to the geological reconstruction in order to infer the evolution of the groundwater salinity in the study area. Groundwater freshening and salinization patterns were deduced using PHREEQC cation exchange simulations and isotope data were used to derive relevant hydrological processes and water sources. We found that the factor steering the relative importance of palaeo and present-day hydrogeological conditions was the thickness of the Holocene surface clay layer. The groundwater in aquifers under thick surface clay layers is controlled by the palaeohydrological conditions prevailing when the aquifers were buried. The groundwater in aquifers under thin surface clay layers is affected by present-day processes, which vary depending on present-day surface elevation. Slightly higher-lying areas are recharged by rain and rainfed ponds and therefore have fresh groundwater at shallow depth. In contrast, the lower-lying areas with a thin surface clay layer have brackish–saline groundwater at shallow depth because of flooding by marine-influenced water, subsequent infiltration and salinization. Recently, aquaculture ponds in areas with a thin surface clay layer have increased the salinity in the underlying shallow aquifers. We hypothesize that to understand and predict shallow groundwater salinity variation in southwestern Bangladesh, the relative elevation and land use can be used as a first estimate in areas with a thin surface clay layer, while knowledge of palaeohydrogeological conditions is needed in areas with a thick surface clay layer.

A national approach to risk assessment for drinking water catchments in Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Miller ◽  
B. Whitehill ◽  
D. Deere
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Drinking Water Quality ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Water Quality Data

This paper comments on the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies for risk assessment, appropriate for utilisation by Australian Water Utilities in risk assessment for drinking water source protection areas. It is intended that a suggested methodology be recommended as a national approach to catchment risk assessment. Catchment risk management is a process for setting priorities for protecting drinking water quality in source water areas. It is structured through a series of steps for identifying water quality hazards, assessing the threat posed, and prioritizing actions to address the threat. Water management organisations around Australia are at various stages of developing programs for catchment risk management. While much conceptual work has been done on the individual components of catchment risk management, work on these components has not previously been combined to form a management tool for source water protection. A key driver for this project has been the requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council Framework for the Management of Drinking Water Quality (DWQMF) included in the draft 2002 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). The Framework outlines a quality management system of steps for the Australian water industry to follow with checks and balances to ensure water quality is protected from catchment to tap. Key steps in the Framework that relate to this project are as follows: Element 2 Assessment of the Drinking Water Supply System• Water Supply System analysis• Review of Water Quality Data• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Element 3 Preventive Measures for Drinking Water Quality Management• Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers• Critical Control Points This paper provides an evaluation of the following risk assessment techniques: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP); World Health Organisation Water Safety Plans; Australian Standard AS 4360; and The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines – Drinking Water Quality Management Framework. These methods were selected for assessment in this report as they provided coverage of the different approaches being used across Australia by water utilities of varying: scale of water management organisation; types of water supply system management; and land use and activity-based risks in the catchment area of the source. Initially, different risk assessment methodologies were identified and reviewed. Then examples of applications of those methods were assessed, based on several key water utilities across Australia and overseas. Strengths and weaknesses of each approach were identified. In general there seems some general grouping of types of approaches into those that: cover the full catchment-to-tap drinking water system; cover just the catchment area of the source and do not recognise downstream barriers or processes; use water quality data or land use risks as a key driving component; and are based primarily on the hazard whilst others are based on a hazardous event. It is considered that an initial process of screening water quality data is very valuable in determining key water quality issues and guiding the risk assessment, and to the overall understanding of the catchment and water source area, allowing consistency with the intentions behind the ADWG DWQM Framework. As such, it is suggested that the recommended national risk assessment approach has two key introductory steps: initial screening of key issues via water quality data, and land use or activity scenario and event-based HACCP-style risk assessment. In addition, the importance of recognising the roles that uncertainty and bias plays in risk assessments was highlighted. As such it was deemed necessary to develop and integrate uncertainty guidelines for information used in the risk assessment process. A hybrid risk assessment methodology was developed, based on the HACCP approach, but with some key additions and modifications to make it applicable to varying catchment risks, water supply operation needs and environmental management processes.

Agricultural Land Use and Drinking Water Demand

2016 ◽  
pp. 311-316
Author(s):  
Alexander Wirsig ◽  
Tatjana Krimly ◽  
Stephan Dabbert
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Land Use
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