Abstract

The study was conducted to model, simulate and forecast the water availability in Watershed Areas. This effect is interdependent of the increasing demands from both human users and natural ecosystems that will occur at the same time, hence, decision makers must be familiar with the unique characteristics of watershed when developing local adaptations strategies. The water availability in watershed areas is directly proportional to its biological and physical characteristics. The socio-cultural and economic situation affects its biological and physical characteristics; and, it is directly related to water availability. The Brook 90 Hydrological Model was used to simulate the water availability while the GIS Approach through Digital Elevation Model was employed in modeling and simulation to determine its physical characteristics and forecasting the water availability. Findings revealed that the availability of the water in watershed areas is directly proportional to its land cover. When forest cover decreases,the water of a Watershed area also decreases.Hence, a comprehensive reforestation program involving different stakeholders to harmonize plans have been proposed by the researchers. To increase ownership among the stakeholders and the local people in the ground, a family-based approach in the Expanded National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Davao del Sur have been designed. This incentive-based approach is believed to be the appropriate ethical paradigm for reforestation in the different watershed areas of the province.