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Evaluation of the Hydrological Response to Land Use Change Scenarios in Urban and Non-Urban Mountain Basins in Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Diego Mejía-Veintimilla

    (Maestría en Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), París s/n y Praga, Loja 110108, Ecuador
    ECUACORRIENTE S.A.—ECSA, Campamento Mirador, Tundayme 190653, Ecuador)

  • Pablo Ochoa-Cueva

    (Maestría en Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), París s/n y Praga, Loja 110108, Ecuador
    Department of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), París s/n y Praga, Loja 110108, Ecuador)

  • Juan Arteaga-Marín

    (Maestría en Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), París s/n y Praga, Loja 110108, Ecuador
    UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), París s/n y Praga, Loja 110108, Ecuador)

Abstract

Land cover is a crucial factor in controlling rainfall–runoff processes in mountain basins. However, various anthropogenic activities, such as converting natural vegetation to agricultural or urban areas, can affect this cover, thereby increasing the risk of flooding in cities. This study evaluates the hydrological behavior of two mountain basins in Loja, Ecuador, under varying land use scenarios. El Carmen small basin (B1), located outside the urban perimeter, and Las Pavas small basin (B2), within the urban area, were modeled using HEC-HMS 4.3 software. The results highlight the significant influence of vegetation degradation and restoration on hydrological processes. In degraded vegetation scenarios, peak flows increase due to reduced soil infiltration capacity, while baseflows decrease. Conversely, the conserved and restored vegetation scenarios show lower peak flows and higher baseflows, which are attributed to enhanced evapotranspiration, interception, and soil water storage. The study underscores the importance of ecosystem management and restoration in mitigating extreme hydrological events and improving water resilience. These findings provide a foundation for decision-making in urban planning and basin management, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary approaches to develop effective public policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Mejía-Veintimilla & Pablo Ochoa-Cueva & Juan Arteaga-Marín, 2024. "Evaluation of the Hydrological Response to Land Use Change Scenarios in Urban and Non-Urban Mountain Basins in Ecuador," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:11:p:1907-:d:1520423
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christian Mera-Parra & Priscilla Massa-Sánchez & Fernando Oñate-Valdivieso & Pablo Ochoa-Cueva, 2022. "Territorial Prospective to Sustainability: Strategies for Future Successful of Water Resource Management on Andean Basins," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Janina Kleemann & Camilo Zamora & Alexandra Belen Villacis-Chiluisa & Pablo Cuenca & Hongmi Koo & Jin Kyoung Noh & Christine Fürst & Michael Thiel, 2022. "Deforestation in Continental Ecuador with a Focus on Protected Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-26, February.
    3. Karina Monteros & Valentina Dall’Orto & Cecilia Cempini, 2024. "The Formation of the Urban–Rural Fringe Space in the San Cayetano Area: The Transformation of a Peripheral Urban Landscape in Ecuador," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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