I.

Transect Mapping
II. Introduction
Maps are used in presenting data, it uses symbols in depicting the relationship of the
different elements present. It’s a simplified version of reality which contains geographical
information per country or region mostly used in planning for better visualization and
interpretation of gathered data.
Transect mapping is a tool used in determining the land use type and other elements
within the transect line which includes the area’s soil type, vegetation, human activities,
waterways and even then problems encountered.
This method uses on-field observations, discussion, and interview from the locals in the
area for an in-depth analysis on the area within the transect.
III. Objectives
This exercise aims for the student to be able to use transect to characterize and
understand
IV. Results and discussion

Observation 1 2 3 4
point
GPS Location 14.11648 14.18982 14.18449 14.17965
121.14085 121.23730 121.23945 121.24188
Elevation (m) 4m 7m 6m 8m
Steps 0 986 1090 1203
Distance Covered 0 581.74 643.10 709.77
(m)
Soil/ Land Paved Silt Rocky loam Paved
surface
Vegetation Few trees, water Coconut, shrubs Palms and shrubs Few shrubs and
lilies trees
Infrastructure Houses, Houses, chapel, Houses, church, Houses, hospital,
basketball court, school, cell bakery, clinic, convenience
baklad tower, street barangay chapel, stores, salon,
lights cell tower, railway mini businesses,
water station
Water bodies or Lakeside Canal Canal Canal
waterways
Human Activities Settlements, Settlements, Transportation, Settlement,
fishing, transport stores, residential, transport
recreation services, small clerical services services, food
businesses, services, salon
clerical services
Problems Flooding, water Flooding Congested traffic, Moderate traffic
pollution improper waste (tricycle and
disposal, clogged numerous
drainage, flooding vehicles)
intersections,
flooding
 Opportunities Livelihood, Accessibility, Accessibility Accessibility,
recreation, near to barangay urban transition
nature (lake hall
view)

Observation 5 6 7 8
Point
GPS Location 14.17829 14.17268 14.16725 14.16171
121.24239 121.24319 121.24314 121.24010
Elevation (m) 10m 16m 22m 42m
Steps 270 996 1088 1114
Distance Covered 159.30 587.64 641.92 657.2
(m)
Soil/ land surface Paved Paved Paved Paved (loam)
Vegetation Shrubs (very Minimal # of Grasses, shrub, Grass, trees, palms
few) and potted shrubs and trees palms, trees
plants
Infrastructure Commercial Drugstores, Institutional Dorms, hotel and
businesses convenient restaurant
stores, houses
Water bodies or Canal, sewerage Canal, drainage Canal, creak Canal
waterways system system
Human Activities Commercial and Transport Institutional and Dormitory and
trade activities, services, mini academic use accommodation,
transport businesses, dining, academic,
services settlements and
lodging,
institutional
Problems Heavy traffic Moderate traffic Light traffic Roads are
subjective to water
runoff
Opportunities Near to services Near to services Research and Recreational
academic
Notes*** Mixed land use Microclimate

Observation Point 9 10 11
GPS Location 14.15767 14.15284 14.15143
121.23657 121.23454 121.23381
Elevation 90m 188m 125m
Steps 1140 1020 990
Distance Covered 672.60 601.80 584.10
Soil/ land surface Paved (loam) Paved (loam) Paved (loam)
Vegetation Trees (dipterocarps) Trees (dipterocarp), Trees, dipterocarp
epiphytes, grass Epiphytes
 Infrastructure Research Dorms Dorm, entry point
institution, dorms to Makiling trail
Water bodies or Canal, drainage Canal, drainage Canal, drainage
waterways systems systems systems
Human Activities Academic, Academic, Academic,
research, research, research,
accommodation, accommodation, accommodation,
recreation recreation recreation
Problems Accessibility Accessibility, slope Accessibility
Opportunities Research, Nature, recreation Biodiversity,
biodiversity research
Notes*** Forest, Forest, Forest,
microclimate microclimate microclimate

Answers to guide questions:

1. The essence of the activity is to find out how activities in the lowlands affect those of the
highlands and vice versa. The highlands, which consist of the forest provide opportunities in the
form of raw materials and biodiversity for research and conservation purposes. It also provides
the ecosystem services such as microclimate regulation and serves as the watershed. Then, the
institutional services such as UPLB benefit others in the form of research and provision of
education. Mixed use land areas provide benefits in the form of economic opportunities like
small and larger businesses which benefit the nearby constituents. The residential areas near the
coastal area affect the lake in the form of household pollution, siltation and aquaculture.

2. Conducting the transect walk allowed the group to observe the unique characteristics of the
different ecosystems that were identified. In relation to this, the transect walk also demonstrated a
Ridge-to-Reef (RTR) management approach which stimulated better understanding of the
relationship/s between the ecosystems, as we looked at each unit throughout the landscape as part
of a whole. This nature of the approach gives RTR a sense of comprehensiveness since it looks at
ecosystem relationships rather than just looking at what is appropriate for one type of ecosystem.
With the complexity of socio-environmental problems that are experienced by the different
communities, this approach can serve as a bridge to collaborative planning because it is not
bound by political boundaries but by ecosystem relationships that is connected by the watershed.

3.
Advantages Disadvantages
Empowers local community members Yields less accurate result
because the process gives importance to
their existing knowledge and familiarity
of the community
Guided Results are highly subjective
It is inexpensive because it makes use of Hard to elicit ideas if participants are not
existing materials in the community to interested/willing to participate
 visualize the area/s of concern (e.g.
stones, shells, sticks, paper, etc.)
Results are localized hence making it Laborious
socially acceptable
Easy to conduct and visualize problems Data gathered cannot be subjected to
and answers for decision-making statistical analysis

4. Being able to visualize the planning area serves as a catalyst for the planning process.
Visualization makes it easier to understand, interpret, and analyze data in order to come up with
appropriate decisions for designing the plan.