Development of a geographical information system for pesticide assessment on an Ecuadorian watershed

Abstract

Banana production is very important for the Ecuadorian national income, but it is also a potential source of river pollution in the country. Current research is focusing on the use of GIS to perform pesticide assessment of a river basin that includes banana as its main agricultural activity. The Agricultural Non Point Source Model (AGNPS) is being used to perform pesticide assessment in the basin. The model structure and type of needed data was identified. By applying GIS methodology, a complete set of cartographical information was obtained to supply input data to the pesticide model. In addition, ready-to-print maps were useful by-products for farmers.

Application of classification trees to determine biological and chemical indicators for river assessment: case study in the Chaguana watershed (Ecuador)

“…organic, chemical and morphological) (Lang & Reymond 1993). Also in the Chaguana basin, major human activities are carried out in the lowlands, mainly banana farming, which is the dominant crop cultivated in the basin (Matamoros et al 2005). The results of the present study confirmed that the higher reach of the basin is only slightly affected by human settlements, leaving streams and its macroinvertebrates in that area in a nearly pristine state (Figure 1).…”

“…However, a wide array of pesticides are applied on banana crops for pest control, of which propiconazole, imazalil, thiabendazole, glyphosate and tridemorph are the most frequently used (Matamoros et al 2005). However, because their residence time in the basin is estimated to be only approximately 24 h (Matamoros et al 2005), it is difficult to measure peak concentrations and to assess their effect on macroin- Prior to CCA analysis, all data were log transformed, except pH, which is already on a log scale.…”

“…However, because their residence time in the basin is estimated to be only approximately 24 h (Matamoros et al 2005), it is difficult to measure peak concentrations and to assess their effect on macroin- Prior to CCA analysis, all data were log transformed, except pH, which is already on a log scale. Since dissolved oxygen concentration and oxygen saturation values were strongly correlated, only the former was retained for analysis.…”

Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to Simulate the Pesticide Dynamics in the Data Scarce Guayas River Basin, Ecuador

“…Agricultural intensification in South America is leading to severe pollution of the river ecosystems by pesticides [1][2][3]. An example of this is the Guayas River basin in Ecuador wherein key ecosystems are at risk due to an increased application of pesticides.…”

Identification of key climatic factors regulating the transport of pesticides in leaching and to tile drains

“…Pesticide fate models are increasingly used in combination with geospatial information to assess the risk of pesticide contamination of surface water and groundwater 1–3. The definition of environmental scenarios relevant to the transport of pesticides to water resources is typically based on a combination of information regarding climate, cropping, soils and, in some instances, the subsoil 4, 5.…”