Lady Ann E.

Murillo III-BEEd March 20, 2019

Principles of Ecology MWF 8-9 A.M

Application of H2O as Principle in the

Management of our Watersheds

Hydrologic cycle is the process through which water in the hydrosphere

is circulated and distributed; involves the exchange of water with the
atmosphere, the Earth, and the different water forms when clouds gain water
vapor from the various water forms; continuous movement of water from the
oceans to the atmosphere, from the atmosphere to the land, and from the land
back to sea (Braganza, 1997). Not all of precipitated water is absorbed by the
soil it usually drains into streams, rivers, marshes, lakes, and eventually the
ocean.

Watershed is the part of the water cycle that occurs on the land surface
is influenced by topography (Cabildo et.al, 2008), as its major purpose captures
precipitation, it is when the water reaches the Earth’s surface, and some of it
will flow along the land surface as runoff while the rest of it percolates through
the soil to recharge groundwater. Hydrologic cycle is one of the principles in the
management of our watersheds. The water cycle has different phases as
mentioned above and each phase contributes to the balance within the
environment. For our watershed management, the most important phase is
that when the water sends back to the Earth’s surface (precipitation). If
hydrologic cycle would no longer do well, watersheds may no longer be
available for human as it supplies the water needs especially in irrigation,
dams and local water system. The watershed is always be characterized by how
much is captured. Watershed level should always be managed.

We live all in watersheds; we have a responsibility to maintain our

watersheds clean. Watersheds exists in each point of the Earth, water may
come from mountains, urbanized lands and etc. It must be understand that
the activities within a watershed impacts water quality leaving the watershed. If
we do not limit ourselves of contaminating the water, we will suffer from it. We
need water in our daily lives. It is a necessity of life, our most important
natural resource. We must have a fixed amount of water on the Earth through
the help of the hydrologic cycle.
 Reference:

 Braganza,Maria Chona S.(1997). Earth Science 1st Edition.Manila, Inc.,856 Nicanor

Reyes Sr.St.,Sampaloc, Philippines: Rex Book Store,
 Cabildo,Jolaflor & Santa Cruz, Sheryl(2008).Ecology:A Problem Based Approach to the
Environment.Tondo, Manila, Philippines:Loacan Publishing House