Crespo, P.; Universidad de Cuenca, Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Av. 12 de Abril, Ecuador
Palabras clave :
Andean Páramo Wetlands Andes Andosol And Histosol Ecuador Hydrologic Processes Topography
Fecha de publicación :
1-feb-2015
Fecha de fin de embargo:
1-ene-2022
Volumen:
125
Fuente:
Catena
metadata.dc.identifier.doi:
10.1016/j.catena.2014.10.010
Editor:
ELSEVIER
Tipo:
Article
Abstract:
Tropical alpine grasslands of the northern Andes, commonly known as the páramo, provide abundant high-quality water for downstream populations as well as a variety of other environmental services. Yet, very little is known about the role that landscape characteristics play in the hydrologic functioning of these ecosystems. To help fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the relationships between various landscape attributes and hydrology in a wet páramo ecosystem of southern Ecuador. Using linear regression analysis, we examined the influence of soil type, vegetation cover, catchment area, geology, and topography on runoff coefficient, streamflow rates, and evapotranspiration. Our study site is located at the Zhurucay River experimental catchment, which is composed of seven nested microcatchments ranging in size from 0.20 to 7.53km2 and in elevation from 3200 to 3900ma.s.l. We found that (1) water yield accounts for a high percentage of the water budget; (2) runoff coefficient and specific discharge are strongly correlated with the extent of Andean páramo wetlands (Histosol soils and cushion plants), and also increase with catchment size; (3) conversely, inferred evapotranspiration is the highest in catchments having the greatest percentages of upland terrain (Andosol soils and tussock grasses); and (4) low flows are highly positively correlated with steep slopes. These results suggest that in the high-elevation tropical grasslands of the Andes, runoff coefficient and specific discharge increase with catchment size because as catchment size increases, so does the relative area of permanently near-saturation zones (Andean páramo wetlands); likely because of reduced available storage capacity of the Andean páramo wetlands, and their hydrologic connectivity to the stream network.
Av. 12 de Abril y Calle Agustín Cueva, Telf: 4051000 Ext. 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314. Horario de atención: Lunes-Viernes: 07H00-21H00. Sábados: 08H00-12H00
Av. El Paraíso 3-52, detrás del Hospital Regional "Vicente Corral Moscoso", Telf: 4051000 Ext. 3144. Horario de atención: Lunes-Viernes: 07H00-19H00
Av. 12 de Octubre y Diego de Tapia, antiguo Colegio Orientalista, Telf: 4051000 Ext. 3535 2810706 Ext. 116. Horario de atención: Lunes-Viernes: 07H30-19H00