Perception of the local community: What is their relationship with environmental quality indicators of reservoirs?

Abstract

Evaluating the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, especially those which serve to supply, has been carried out using a variety of tools. However, the perception of water quality by the local community which lives in direct contact with water resources has not been considered with enough importance. This study analysed the relationship between the conservation status of reservoirs as perceived by the local community and their conservation status according to physical, chemical, and biological indicators. To do so, we calculated the Trophic State Index (TSI) of the reservoirs, the diversity and richness of benthic macroinvertebrate and we analysed the human influence in the riparian zone. Thus, we created the Community Conservation Perception Index (CCPI) to quantitatively associate the perception of the local community with environmental quality indicators (TSI, diversity, richness and anthropogenic influences in the riparian zone). We found that interviewee perception of reservoir conservation (using the CCPI) was related to trophic state, richness and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate, and the presence of residences and agriculture in the riparian zone. It is necessary to consider the environmental perception of the local community as a relevant factor in management programmes and the conservation of ecosystems, even if artificial, as is the case with reservoirs. These communities can significantly contribute to maintaining the environmental quality through their performance in participatory management in projects such as: participating in the investigation of pollution in reservoirs, collecting parameters related to water quality, and community action in designing conservation strategies.

Engenharia sanitária e ambiental: qualidade, produtividade e inovação tecnológica

“…A diversidade de macroivertebrados bentônicos reflete a saúde ambiental do ecossistema aquático, tendo em vista que em ambientes mais saudáveis, ocorre maior diversidade de microhabitats, maiores concentrações de oxigênio, como também variabiliade de recursos (Goulart;Callisto, 2003;Azevêdo et al;. Desse modo, os ecossistemas aquáticos que sofrem, com frequência, perturbações, como desmatamento da região ripária, entrada de efluentes, ocasionado maiores concentrações de nitrogênio e fósforo, apresentam frequentemente menor diversidade da comunidade bentônica (Copatti et al, 2010;Negrão;Cunha, 2019), o que tem ocorrido em reservatórios da Caatinga (Abílio 2007;, Azevêdo et al, 2018.…”

GC Insights: Lessons from participatory water quality research in the upper Santa River basin, Peru

“…A Quechuan-Spanish translator assisted during field-based data collection to support use of preferred language, however translation was not possible for participants engaging with the app independently. Language and cosmovision are thus other key considerations, given indigenous perceptions of and emotions related to water, in addition to the importance of water beyond its role as a physical resource (Tipa, 2009;Azevêdo et al, 2022).…”

“…However, due to both natural events and human activities, water quality is threatened in many regions of the world, also intensified by impacts of climate and land use change (Anderson, 2016;Magnússon et al, 2020). Water quality directly impacts the lives of water users (Azevêdo et al, 2022), yet local perspectives, knowledge, and emotions are often not considered (Dextre et al, 2022). Furthermore, water quality can be a secondary consideration to water quantity, despite being closely intertwined in water insecurity (Clason et al, 2023;Rangecroft et al, 2023).…”

“…Local water users not only directly depend on local water sources, but are also sensitive to changes in water availability, quality, and ecosystems over time, contributing to traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and providing insights beyond the temporal and spatial scope of in-situ measurements (Pauly, 1995;Azevêdo et al, 2022). Furthermore, community participation and TEK can help decision makers to develop feasible solutions and facilitate tailor-made governance that is accepted and implemented by multiple parties (Mistry and Berardi, 2016;Albagli andIwama 2022, Richter et al, 2022).…”