INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP OF WATER QUALITY ON LAND COVER CHANGE IN BORACAY ISLAND

Abstract. Boracay Island, renowned for its pristine beaches, faced challenges arising from haphazard practices on infrastructure and tourism management. A rehabilitation program was initiated which resulted in a significant reconstruction on its land. This study investigates the impact of Land Cover (LC) change caused by the rehabilitation program on water quality parameters (chl-a and TSM) across three key periods: pre-rehabilitation (2017), rehabilitation (2020), and post-rehabilitation (2022). Utilizing Sentinel-2 imagery, quarterly assessments of chl-a and TSM concentrations are conducted to evaluate water quality. The findings revealed significant variations in chl-a and TSM with significance values of 0.043 and 0.014, respectively, within zone 1 of Boracay Island. Post-hoc test revealed differences in chl-a concentrations between 2017 and subsequent years (2020, p = 0.038; 2021, p = 0.036 ; and 2022, p = 0.039) and between 2019 and subsequent years (2020, p = 0.043; 2021, p = 0.041; and 2022, p = 0.044); as well as in TSM concentrations between 2017 and subsequent years (2020, p = 0.006; 2021, p = 0.008; and 2022, p = 0.023) and between 2019 and subsequent years (2020, p = 0.014; 2021, p = 0.019; and 2022, p = 0.049). However, no significant correlation exists between LC and water quality parameters. It is recommended to refine LC classification through high-resolution satellite imagery, consider extended timeframes, and investigate additional water quality parameters. This study contributes valuable insights into Boracay Island’s environmental transformations, guiding sustainable coastal management in similar contexts.