Geomorphology and Resource Inventory of Watersheds for Sustainable Land Use in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines

Water and land are critical natural resources that require effective management, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas such as Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. This study aims to assess erosion susceptibility and prioritize conservation needs across nine watersheds using GIS-based morphometric analysis. The entire extent of each watershed was analyzed beyond political boundaries to ensure comprehensive evaluation of geomorphological characteristics. Key morphometric parameters, including drainage density, stream frequency, slope, and basin shape, were computed to determine watershed behavior and erosion risk. Results indicate that the Cagayan de Oro River Basin is the most erosion-prone, followed by the Umalag, Iponan, and Cugman watersheds, while the Bugo–Alae watershed exhibits the lowest susceptibility. Higher slope gradients and elongated basin shapes were associated with increased erosion risk, whereas higher drainage density and stream frequency corresponded to lower susceptibility. These findings provide a scientific basis for prioritizing watershed management and conservation strategies, supporting sustainable land use planning and erosion mitigation in the study area.