BIO426L Exercise 3
Guide Questions
1) Using the results, you have generated above, are the temperature changes in Lake Taal responding
strongly to changes in the local air temperature? What about the regional air temperature? How
can you interpret the statistical results you have obtained from the analysis?
The results of the Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no significant but weak
relationship between the average surface water temperature and average air temperature in Lake
Taal (ρ = -0.2662001, p-value = 0.403). The same statistical tool was used in determining the
relationship between the average monthly air temperature in Manila and the average surface
water temperature in Lake Taal and results show that there is a perfect positive relationship
between the two variables (ρ = 1.0, p-value = 2.2e-16). Based from these results, it can be inferred
that the temperature changes in the surface water in Lake Taal responds weakly to the changes
in the local air temperature, but strongly with the changes in the regional air temperature. As the
regional (Manila) air temperature increases, the surface water temperature in Lake Taal also
increases, and vice versa.
4) Are there any noticeable trends in terms of rainfall in the vicinity and the immediate area of Lake
Taal?
The results of the Correlation analysis showed that there is a moderate positive relationship
between the past 12 years and the average number and intensity of typhoons/tropical cyclones
that passed through Lake Taal (rnumber = 0.584558926, rintensity = 0.562210642). Based on this result,
there is a noticeable upward trend in the graph of the two variables, thus, it can be inferred that
the number and intensity of tropical cyclones/typhoons hitting Lake Taal in Batangas have been
gradually increasing over the past 12 years.
7) The Philippines is listed as one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change.
Give at least five instances wherein one can see the impacts brought about by climate change in
the country.
It isn’t unknown how climate change has affected the Philippines greatly, especially in the recent
years. According to The Climate Reality Project (2016), five of the ten deadliest typhoons have hit
the Philippines since 2006, including Yolanda, the most violent storm that hit the country in 2013
which caused more than 6,300 fatalities, displaced 4 million citizens, and incurred $2 billion worth
of damages. Other key climate impacts in the Philippines include numerous sectors such as
agriculture, energy, urban infrastructure, and water resources. Mostly due to rising temperatures,
there has been a noticeable decrease in crop yields. There has also been an increase in demand
for energy services and consumption which resulted to more frequent power outages. In 2009,
Typhoon Yolanda also caused $33 million expenses for road repair (“United States Agency
International Development,” 2017). Just this year, several parts of the country also faced water
interruptions which started from the month of March and affected at least 200 barangays in
Metro Manila and other neighboring areas (Sabillo, 2019). The water scarcity lasted all throughout
the summer season. The instances mentioned above are only few of the many impacts that
climate change has inflicted in the country. With the changing of climate at an alarming rate,
anthropogenic activities that trigger and worsen the current state of the country’s climate must
be lessened or best be completely put to end.
References
Sabillo, K. (2019, March 21). EXPLAINER: Why is there a water shortage in Metro Manila? Retrieved from
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/12/19/explainer-why-is-there-a-water-shortage-in-metro-
manila
The Climate Reality Project. (2016, January 19). How is climate change affecting the Philippines? Retrieved
from https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/how-climate-change-affecting-philippines
United States Agency International Development. (2017, February 1). Climate Risk Profile: Philippines.
Retrieved from https://www.climatelinks.org/sites/default/files/asset/document/2017_Climate
%20Change%20Risk%20Profile_Philippines.pdf
