I.

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

Santillan, J. R., Amora, A. M., Makinano-Santillan, M., Gingo, A. L., and Marqueso, J. T.: ANALYZING THE
IMPACTS OF LAND COVER CHANGE TO THE HYDROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC BEHAVIOURS OF THE PHILIPPINES'
THIRD LARGEST RIVER BASIN, ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., IV-3/W1, 41-48,
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-IV-3-W1-41-2019, 2019

Human-induced modification such as deforestation, urbanization, and cropland expansions causes negative
impact to how a river basin reacts and respond to rainfall. These changes led to increase in surface runoff and
peak flows and greater occurrence, risk and vulnerability of flooding. In this case, With the help of Remote
Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and hydrological and hydraulic models, an integrated
approach was used to analyze the hydrological and hydraulic behavior of the Agusan River Basin. Different
land cover classes in the ARB for the years 1995 and 2017 were mapped using LANDSAT 5 and LANDSAT 8 OLI
IMAGES. Land covers were then determined using a post-classification changes detection approach. Using a
calibrated hydrologic model based on the Hydrologic Engineering Center – Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-
HMS) under different extreme rainfall conditions, the impacts to the basin discharge were then estimated.
Through the use of hydraulic model based on HEC-RAS (River Analysis System), the impact to flood depth and
extent was also determined. Land cover classification results showed that the ARB’s forest was decreased
from 67.7% to 62.8% from the year 1995 to 2017, while agricultural areas increased from 12.2% to 15.5% in
the same period of time. Other significant changes are the decrease in barren land, and the increase in built-
up lands and range lands. Results from the HEC HMS and HEC RAS model simulation showed that there was an
increase in flood depth, flood extents and discharge in the ARB between the years 1995 and 2017. These
results imply that these determined changes in land cover causes negative impacts to the hydrological and
hydraulic behavior of the ARB.

II. CRITIQUE

In reading the article, “Analyzing the Impacts of Land Cover Change to the Hydrologic and Hydraulic
Behaviors of the Philippines' Third Largest River Basin” by J.R. Santillan, A.M. Amora, M. Makinano-Santillan,
A.L. Gingo, J.T. Marqueso, I had a better understanding on the application, importance and effect of hydrology
on our lives. The article is not just about the analyzation of the impacts of land cover change to the hydrologic
and hydraulic behaviors of the ARB but it also showed me how these changes could also change our lives by
affecting us negatively. The article was written chronologically specially on the methods and materials part.
The methods were explained and shown thoroughly by using tables and graphs that could help the reader to
understand and analyze the methods used. Through the methods and materials, the article also showed the
capacity and the ability of different methods, agencies, applications and web sites that are available and
accessible in our country, namely Remote Sensing (RS) Geographic Information System (GIS), NDRRMC,
From the article, it is seen that improving lands are not always good. It also has its bad side and
effects.

III. CONCLUSION