Effects of land use change on water availability and water efficiency in the temperate basins of south-central Chile
Author
Esse, Carlos
Ríos, Ney
Saavedra, Pablo
Fonseca, David
Encina-Montoya, Francisco
Santander-Massa, Rodrigo
de Los Ríos-Escalante, Patricio
Figueroa-Muñoz, Guillermo
López-Pérez, Adolfo
Correa-Araneda, F. J.
Abstract
Background: Forest ecosystems provide services that are important for human use; one of the most critical ecosystem services is the provision and regulation of water. Basins with high forest improves hydrological functionality by promoting reduction in surface runoff, increase infiltration and aquifer recharge, and ensures base flow regulation amongst others. On the other hand, the conversion towards highly anthropized productive systems is usually accompanied by precarious environmental management that alters the hydrological cycle and reduction in water quality in basins. Aim: The goal of this study was to analyze land use changes and their effect on water efficiency index (WEI) in three sub-basins. Methodology: The methodology included a multi-temporal analysis of satellite images to identify land uses, also the use of SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model for hydrological analysis in each sub-basin, information needed for calculating the WEI. Results: The results revealed the existence of no significant difference in terms of WEI between the sub-basins with predominant tree cover of native or artificial, being higher (0.89) than the WEI values reported by the sub-basin with agricultural land use (0.65). It is concluded that hydrological functions are more efficient in basins with forest cover, made up of native or exotic species, than agricultural land use with annual crop rotations. The results contribute to decision making on public policies associated to the rural productive activities. Concluded: Finally, we conclude the necessity of the promotion of forest plantation management techniques that avoid clear-cutting and multiple rotations in basin headwaters and riparian areas.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Article
Extension of the known distribution range and habitat use of the Tiger Crab Aegla concepcionensis Schmitt, 1942 (Decapoda, Aeglidae) (2022)
Correa-Araneda, F. J.; Jaque-Jaramillo, Ximena; Esse, Carlos; Saavedra, Pablo; Ulloa-Yáñez, Alfredo; Martin, Juan; de Los Ríos-Escalante, Patricio R.; Boyero, Luz; Ovalle, Katalina; Santander-Massa, Rodrigo; ... (Asociacion Iberica de Limnologia, 2022)The tiger crab Aegla concepcionensis Schmitt, 1942 (Decapoda, Aeglidae) is a threatened freshwater decapod, endemic of Chile, with significant gaps in knowledge about its biology and ecology. The aim of this work was to ... -
Article
Benthic macroinvertebrate communities in sites with native forest presence and absence in North Patagonia [Comunidades de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em locais com presença e ausência de floresta nativa no Norte da Patagônia. A fauna] (2020)
de los Ríos-Escalante P.; Esse C.; Santander-Massa R.; Saavedra P.; Encina-Montoya F. (Fundacao Zoobotanica do Rio Grande do Sul, 2020) -
Article
Structure, diversity, and environmental determinants of high-latitude threatened conifer forests (2021)
Esse, Carlos; Correa-Araneda, F. J.; Acuña, Cristian; Santander-Massa, Rodrigo; de Los Ríos-Escalante, Patricio; Saavedra, Pablo; Jaque-Jaramillo, Ximena; Moreno-García, Roberto; García-Meneses, Paola Massyel; Soto, Daniel P. (MDPI AG, 2021)Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. Don) Florin is an endemic, threatened conifer that grows in South America. In the sub-Antarctic territory, one of the most isolated places in the world, some forest patches remain untouched since ...