LANIEL KENNETH YU
BSCE - V
2019-00212
HYDROLOGY FINALS
What is the Role of Hydrology in Water Resources Planning and Management in
the Philippines?
For centuries, water resource systems have benefited both people and
economies. Such systems offer a wide range of services. Despite this, many parts
of the world are unable to meet even the most basic drinking water and
sanitation needs. Many of these water resource systems are also incapable of
supporting and maintaining resilient bio diverse ecosystems. Typical causes
include inappropriate, inadequate, and/or degraded infrastructure, excessive
river flow withdrawals, pollution from industrial and agricultural activities,
eutrophication caused by nutrient loadings, salinization from irrigation return
flows, infestations of exotic plants and animals, excessive fish harvesting, flood
plain and habitat alteration caused by development activities, and changes in
water and sediment flow regimes.
Define the role of Hydrology in the planning and management of water resources
in the Philippines. Cite and identify the agencies involved in hydrologic data
collection in the Philippines.
Many studies on the effects of climate change on hydrology and water resources
have been conducted over the last decade, with some being conducted on behalf
of water management agencies. However, there are still many unknowns and
gaps. The purpose of this chapter is to assess current understanding of the effects
of climate change on water resources, as well as the implications for adaptation.
Estimating Climate Change Impacts Typically, the impacts of climate change on
hydrology are estimated by defining scenarios for changes in climatic inputs to a
hydrological model based on the output of general circulation models. The three
most important developments in this area are the creation of scenarios suitable
for hydrological impact assessments, the development and application of realistic
hydrological models, and a better understanding of the linkages and feedbacks
between climate and hydrological systems.
Impacts on Water Resources and Hazards The previous sections examined the
potential effects of climate change on river flows, groundwater recharge, and
other biophysical components of the water resource base, as well as demand for
that resource.
Among the societal characteristics that increase susceptibility to climate change
are:
Poverty and low income levels prevent household long-term planning and
provisioning.
Inadequate water-control infrastructure.
The deterioration of existing infrastructure due to a lack of maintenance.
Human capital skills for system planning and management are lacking.
Inadequately empowered institutions.
There is no appropriate land-use planning.
High population densities, as well as other factors, impede population mobility.
Water demand is increasing as a result of rapid population growth.
Conservative risk attitudes [unwillingness to accept some risks in exchange for
more goods and services.
There are no formal links between the various parties involved in water
management.
