Analysis of the River Area Morphology and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) Change of Padada River Davao del Sur for 2010 & 2020

Abstract

The current socio-economic development and urbanization have caused the loss of the threshold value of balance between the human and nature relationship. This scenario is altering ecosystem functions as a by-product of land use activity. This study aimed to analyze the river area morphology, and land use land cover (LULC) change between two temporal points – 2010 and 2020 of the Padada River in Davao del Sur. Specifically, the study identified the locations with significant changes in the river and the interventions and activities which caused these changes. Furthermore, this paper reviewed the proposed local resolution for lifting the identified "no extraction zone." The researcher used Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing Technology, and paired t-test to analyze the river area within the three-kilometer meandering distance upstream and the five-kilometer meandering distance downstream from the river's main dam. The result showed a statistically significant difference in the river area morphology of the Padada River between 2010 and 2020. The surface area increased by 294,978 sq m upstream and 414,370 sq m downstream. It is recommended that the prohibition of quarrying activities remain absolute and valid until the river naturally reaches its equilibrium state to ensure the integrity and safety of the Padada RIS main dam that provides livelihood and sustains food production and security in the province.