Análisis multitemporal del cambio de uso de suelo en la microcuenca del río Tabacay para el periodo 2005-2017

Abstract

Tabacay micro-basin is very important for 27 communes that lives in it, from which they extract resources, develop economic activities and life overall. This micro-basin is also important for Azogues city, which takes water from its rivers for supply the population. This study analyzes land use dynamics and vegetation’s quality during 2005-2017 period, using Landsat satellite images along with geographic information systems, for determining critical areas for management and conservation of Tabacay micro-basin. Four land use classes were determined: agricultural, forestry, urban and moor. Analysis results show that agricultural and urban land use has grown in surface terms, as well as forestry and moor surface has decreased. Moor land use has been the most affected by land use dynamics. In terms of surface, this land use shows a 6 ha/year loss during analysis period, which is equivalent to 54% of its initial surface. Analysis also shows that most affected zone by forest and moor fragmentation and surface loss is micro-basin’s high part, having as main cause of the problem the agricultural frontier expansion and urbanization.