Diagnóstico y plan de manejo ambiental de la microcuenca del Río Shobol Totoras, parroquia San Juan, cantón Riobamba, provincia de Tungurahua

Abstract

The present investigation proposes: to carry out the diagnosis and environmental management plan for the micro-catchment of the Shobol Totoras River, located in San Juan parish, canton Riobamba, in the privince of Chimborazo. A baseline was developed taking into account three factors: biotic, abiotic and socioeconomic which allowed to elaborate a methodology appropriate to the really of the study area, where the weather and soil analysis of the micro-catchment was carried out. Environmental impacts were evaluated with the modified Leopold matrix, where agricultural, livestock activities and human settlements are the main cause of degradation and pollution of the micro-catchment. Overall, the WQI shows that the quality water is acceptable allowing this way the development of the aquatic ecosystem of the river. If this tributary is going to be used for irrigation, water requires a light purification, but for the human consumption greater treatment is required; for the soil factor agriculture is the main cause of pollution with a highly significant severity. The vegetation cover surrounding the communities continues to advance towards the shores, increasing the risk of negative impacts; in relation to the air factor is little significant since the activities that are carried out in the area of study cause little impact in the pollution. In conclusion, the design of the environmental management plan will change the current situation of the river, where four programs were proposed: recovery and conservation of water resources, conservation of the paramo and recovery of vegetation, management of solid waste, monitoring and control, which should immediately be mitigated based on the conservation and organization of natural resources which have not been affected yet, complementing it with an optimal, clear and accurate communication with the communities involved since these are the main causes of the Damage produced. KEYWORDS: environmental management, micro-catchment of the Shobol Totoras River, environmental asseement WQI water quality index