Land Cover Change of Klaja Karst Watershed, General Santos City, Philippines

Effective land management and sustainable development necessitate an understanding of land usage’s scope and mechanism. This study aims to identify changes in land cover in the Klaja Karst watershed due to urbanization, development, and ongoing population growth, as well as to create projections for the area’s land cover twenty (20) years from the completion of the study. The study created land cover maps spanning 2003 to 2020 to investigate patterns and changes in the area’s land cover. Furthermore, projection maps for 2030 and 2040 were created using a dataset derived from the abovementioned maps. The predicted maps show steady growth of perennial crop cover and built-up areas. The most prominent variables leading to this increase are urbanization, population growth, and overall development. The city’s residents, on the other hand, have relied on the growth of perennial crops to meet their demands and produce sustenance. Conversely, the increase in built-up areas and perennial crops has reduced the coverage of other land types, particularly annual crops, open forests, and grasslands. Based on the information presented above, the researcher devised an action plan that prioritized improved land management, conservation, and utilization. The plan calls for strengthening the implementation of environmental laws and policies, providing farmers with additional farm inputs, financial assistance, and promoting co-management of the study area with neighboring municipalities. Part of the consideration is the formation of a Watershed Management Council for the Klaja Karst Watershed, as well as the possibility of declaring the study area a local conservation area and developing a long-term strategy. In general, the study and its findings represent a significant step forward not only for the city and region but also for a wide range of sectors, particularly land planners and environmentalists who are developing management plans that are economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sustainable.