ASSESSMENT OF FOREST DISTURBANCES AND CARBON STOCK IN PANTABANGAN-CARRANGLAN WATERSHED, PHILIPPINES USING REMOTE SENSING

Abstract

Forest disturbances contribute to the decrease in carbon sequestration potential and ecosystem services in a watershed. One of the important watersheds that is affected by land use changes and disturbances is the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed. The ability of the watershed to provide ecosystem services is affected by the existing land use and land cover (LULC) and its future trends. Therefore, this study aims to assess the changes in the LULC, forest disturbances, and potential carbon stock in the watershed using satellite images. The LULC types and indices used in detecting forest disturbances were classified and generated from the Landsat 8 satellite images covering two different years. The potential carbon storage in the watershed was estimated using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) Carbon model. The information generated can be used in the conduct of valuation studies and land use planning in the watershed.