A hydrologic model was developed in this study to characterize the effects of environmental changes, specifically land cover in the watershed scale on the volume and timing of runoff.

This study extends the study of Perez et al. (2017) done for the Coastal Cities at Risk (CCaR) Project of the Manila Observatory (MO) which characterized changes in the channel morphology of the Marikina River and its effects on aggravated flood levels in the area. A hydrologic model was developed to characterize the effects of environmental changes, specifically land cover in the watershed scale on the volume and timing of runoff. The capabilities for satellite-based land cover classification of the Geomatics for Environment and Development (GED) Program of MO were utilized for this purpose. The use of rainfall as an input also sets into place a possibility to integrate climate projections in terms of rainfall intensity duration frequency (RIDF) data for specific areas. In addition, highly urbanized coastal cities with relatively complete ancillary data on physical parameters, as well as exposure and vulnerability variables can be incorporated as new study areas.

The Resilience Collaboratory runs activities and programs that aim to strengthen the resilience capacities of communities that are exposed to frequent hazards, to address local vulnerabilities, and to support efforts to adapt to disaster risks and climate impacts. The Resilience Collaboratory facilitates collaboration among the core laboratories of the Manila Observatory with a shared goal of delivering useful and usable climate and disaster risk information to the most vulnerable, and initiates transdisciplinary partnerships with various institutions outside academia especially civil society organizations, and the public and private sectors.

For more information about the Resilience Collaboratory, visit the Manila Observatory website.

GED applies remote sensing and geographic information systems (RS-GIS) technologies to process social and environmental data in map form. This is in order to provide information and knowledge needed to study and analyze socio-environmental themes, dynamics and spatial patterns of disaster risk, resource utilization, and sustainability. Our outputs guide the use of ancillary tools, policies, and plans for climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as disaster risk reduction and management towards sustainable development of local communities in their wider context. Development theory engendered in GED is that sustainable development is best ladderized although cross-cutting, as follows:

1. Human and Resource Security (Water-Energy-Food Nexus, Human Settlements and Health based on Demand, Supply, Access, Utilization)
Inclusivity
2. Equity with (Smart) Growth
3. Climate Change Mitigation
4. Co-Beneficial Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CCA-DRRM) towards more risk-sensitive Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs)
5. Resilience
6. Overall and Demonstrable SD Cross-Sectoral Integration

For more information on the GED Laboratory, please visit their page.