BWD to launch watershed tree inventory

August 14, 2018 Community Billboard

The Baguio Water District is finalizing groundwork in launching a watershed tree inventory program within this year.
In line with the District’s strategic goals of ensuring watershed and environment leadership, the lone water utility in the Summer Capital eyes the complete cataloguing of all tree species within watersheds found in the city.
BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador M. Royeca said the purpose of the pitched program primarily targets the sustainability of watershed and forest covers through active community involvement.
“Apart from simply counting the number of trees, this tree inventory program aims to promote awareness in the conservation and management of the remaining forest covers by keeping a systematic record of trees and other flora within our watershed ecosystem and assessing the various factors affecting their survival,” Royeca said.
Royeca, an active member of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) Watershed Management and Development Committee, said the District targets to geotag and account the total number of trees and tree species within the city’s remaining watersheds.
Geotagging is the process of adding geographical information to various media in the form of metadata. The data usually consists of coordinates like latitude and longitude, but may even include bearing, altitude, distance, characteristics, age and place names.
If successfully completed, data acquired can be used to monitor the survival rate of mature trees and planted seedlings, establish an accurate tree inventory database, and develop a reference for management, education, and future research.
Royeca also said that the data gathered during the inventory activities can supply authorities with information necessary to create an adequate budget for care and maintenance of local urban forest.
The program also sets as a reference and a feature included for the creation of an integrated watershed management plan for Baguio.
He said that the District has already tapped the involvement of local universities in this program.
“We have already signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Baguio, other universities including Saint Louis University and the University of the Cordilleras are still under discussions,” Royeca said adding that BWD has already requested assistance from the Commission on Higher Education-Cordillera to invite other schools to participate in the said program.
“Since this is a benchmark program we have yet to ascertain the length or duration of its completion. Perhaps, we will initially sample an area or areas within the watershed for us to have a rough evaluation when we’d be able to complete it,” Royeca disclosed.
Presently, the BWD targets to perform inventory in three specific watersheds under its management namely Busol, Buyog and Camp 8. MARK VICTOR PASAGOY, BWD PIO / ABN