Análisis de la dinámica hidrólogica en cuencas de Páramo húmedo: estudio de caso a la escala de ladera

Abstract

The main component of the “Páramo” ecosystem is the soil. The Andosol, located on the hillslopes with tussock grass is the broadest coverage in such basins, under the Andosol is the mineral horizon (C). However, there is a gap in the knowledge of hydrological dynamics in “Páramo” hillslopes related to its temporal and spatial variability. The study was conducted on a 22m length and 20% slope located in the upper part of the Zhurucay river basin, located in Azuay Province in southern Ecuador using a network of soil moisture and matrix soil tension sensors. The sensors are distributed across the different horizons (Ah-C) along the slope at 5 positions (C1-C5). The temporal variability was found to be influenced predominantly by the volume of the rain event. Values lower than 1.11 mm are intercepted in the tussock grass. Most registered events enter across the horizon Ah. Events with a higher rainfall amount than 10mmenterthemineralhorizon.Interms of spatialvariability, thevolume storedineachpositionshows that C4 has thegreater volumestorage capacityand also regulatestheside flowofthe upper positions(C1-C3); whileC5, indespite of receivinghigh income of side flowevacuateswater intothe channel. It was concluded thatthe hillslopegrasslandcoverageplaysthe role of water flowregulator.Forhigh amount rainfall events, the three horizonsevacuatelow rates of water that haveenteredtheprofilesoil, whereas in droughts only thehorizon Ah.