Efectos del cambio de cobertura vegetal en el caudal superficial de la subcuenca del río Casacay, El Oro

Abstract

This study evaluated the change in land use and vegetation cover and its effect on surface flow in the Casacay and Chillayacu sub-basin for 10- years. A paired watershed model was used to analyze Albedo, NDVI, and ET variables in response to USCV changes and their influence on surface flow. Within the sub-basins, four land uses were identified: forest, agricultural land, shrub and herbaceous vegetation, and anthropic zones. During the study, it was observed that agricultural land expanded while forest areas decreased. MODIS products and the Google Earth Engine platform were applied to obtain data on the mentioned variables from 2003 to 2012. The study demonstrated a direct impact of the change in vegetation cover on the variables studied and the availability of surface water in the sub-basins. 2008 represents the year with the highest flow, with high albedo values, while NDVI and ET values are low. On the other hand, the opposite occurred in 2005, where the flow lowered and led to higher ET and NDVI values and a lower albedo. As a result of the evaluation, it concluded that the USCV change substantially influences the variables studied and the availability of surface water in the sub-basins analyzed