Saturday, March 14, 2015

The Watershed Approach


THE WATERSHED APPROACH
by Antonio C. Antonio
March 5, 2015

The Watershed Approach is, by far, the most effective framework to address the water resource challenges and problems of today.  Watersheds supply drinking water, provide recreation and respite, and sustain life.  The Watershed Approach refers to the practice and application of the concepts and principles of watershed management to the management of land, inland water bodies and other natural resources.  It allows the use of the watershed as the basic unit for planning taking into consideration the interconnectivity of land and inland water resources in crafting key management strategies and development decisions without prejudice to the sustainability of socio-economic benefits man gets from the watershed.

Having mentioned the foregoing, what then are the reasons why the watershed is the most appropriate unit for planning and management for sustainable development?  Please consider the following reasons:  (1) Watersheds have a fixed physical boundary as a functional ecological landscape.  They contain the key principles, criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; (2) Watersheds, a defined landscapes, makes assessment of chosen sustainable forest management strategies for the watershed ecosystem can easily be accomplished; (3) Watersheds allow for a holistic approach sustainable forest management where social, institutional, economic, production and ecological factors have direct influence and impact; and, (4) Water is an excellent monitoring mechanism since it is the best index for sustainable forest management.  If a watershed is managed well to quality water, it is most likely managed properly in other ways.

Often, watersheds are taken for granted.  Water and water bodies are very important to preserve biodiversity in an ecosystem.  Watersheds are important parts of the ecosystem.  Therefore, equally important is the Watershed Approach.

Just my little thoughts…

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