Desarrollo de una metodología para la caracterización de unidades de respuesta hidrológica en cuencas andinas: caso de estudio cuenca del río Tabacay

Abstract

Before starting environmental management processes, it is essential to know the suitability of the terrain for different objectives. Consequently, to identify areas of a basin to be protected to safeguard hydrological regulation functions, it is necessary to initiate a characterization of the hydrological response units, to subsequently define a Conservation Priority Index. However, existing methodologies on prioritizing conservation areas in a basin are not fully applicable in basins with few data. The main objective is to develop a methodology to identify the most important areas of hydrological conservation from their qualitative evaluation of biological and physical characteristics like: topography, nature, slope, soil and Topographic wetness index. It will allow to put every basin in a range and this will show the conservation status. Raster maps of biophysical features were generated. Subsequently, a matrix was raised to weigh the effects of biophysical characteristics on hydrological regulation, and this matrix were filled by experts. Finally, data were processed and the maps were generated by GIS tools. The results indicate the areas of Very High, High, Medium, Low and Very low conservation importance. The methodology is easy to apply and achieve with the priority conservation areas of the basin, this will do easier the decision– making of enterprises and the investment of their money will be guaranteed.