Due to threats of agricultural expansion and urbanization, riparian areas of rivers are on the brink of deterioration
impacting their ecological functions such as the attenuation of flood disasters. In the urbanizing cities and municipalities
of El Salvador, Gingoog and… More
Due to threats of agricultural expansion and urbanization, riparian areas of rivers are on the brink of deterioration
impacting their ecological functions such as the attenuation of flood disasters. In the urbanizing cities and municipalities
of El Salvador, Gingoog and Jasaan in Misamis Oriental in southern Philippines, rivers are considered critical due to
its high risk to flooding occurrence. In order to implement appropriate river management practices in sustaining its
ecological services, understanding the rivers’ riparian status is necessary. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate
the current status of Molugan, Solana and Odiongan rivers riparian condition. Using a check list as a guide, abiotic and
biotic components of the upstream, midstream and downstream sites of the rivers were rated and evaluated. Other
factors such as land use and land cover pattern, population density, stream order and slope were also taken to account
in the assessment. Results showed that all rivers are still in the sub-optimal conditions implied with minimal disturbance
and deterioration. However of the three rivers, Odiongan was with the least ideal general riparian habitat condition
which may be attributed to the river’s larger size and accessibility to disturbance. Regardless of the good results,
conscious regulation for the expansion of agricultural cultivation especially in the upstream areas of the watersheds is
still recommended. In addition, appropriate land use zoning must be implemented giving emphasis on the establishment
of appropriate riparian vegetation buffer widths and integrating natural conservation strategies. Less
