Spatial Dynamics of the Shore Coverage within the Zone of Influence of the Chambo River, Central Ecuador

Abstract

The predominant aim of the current study was to evaluate the spatial dynamics of the riparian coverage of the area of influence of the Chambo River in the area of the river’s source (middle-high basin), between 2500 and 3000 m.a.s.l. For its execution, Landsat 7 images from the year 2000, RapidEye from the year 2009, and Spot 6 from the year 2019 were used in the time range of 2000–2009 and 2009–2019. These were subjected to supervised classification by applying the maximum likelihood algorithm, identifying five classes of soil cover, being pasture, crops, soil-remnants of paramo, forest, and anthropic. The classification results were validated by calculating the precision measures and the kappa index. With the use of cross-tabulation matrices, the gains, losses, and persistence in the two periods studied were identified. There, it was determined that, in the first study period, the soil cover-paramo remnants presented the highest percentage of loss (26.70%), the crop cover the highest percentage of gain (28.91%), and in the second period, the crop class presented the highest percentages of losses (18.94%) and gains (17.29%). The cartographic projection of the area for the year 2030 predicts that the areas anthropic category will increase by 1.27%, that of forest will decrease by 1.19%, that of soil-remnants of paramo will gain 0.79%, and crop and pasture cover will decrease by 0.45% and 0.43%, respectively. The results obtained allow for the transitions between coverages to be attributed to population growth, afforestation, reforestation, deforestation and agricultural activities, volcanic eruptions, land colonization, and expansion of agricultural activity. Complementary studies are recommended that involve livelihoods and water quality, which facilitate the identification of vulnerable areas to propose adaptation, prevention, and/or restoration measures.

Geotechnical and Geophysical Assessment of the 2021 Tamban Chimbo Landslide, Northern Andes of Ecuador

“…The urban capital is the city of Chimbo with 4400 inhabitants, located at an altitude of 2450 m above sea level, and has alluvial terraces that contrast with mountainous reliefs of steep slopes and volcanic and granitic lithology of felsic composition, as well as, to a lesser extent, soils derived from volcanic ash, with a high content of pyroclastic materials and with an apparent density of 0.9 to 1.3 g/cc [28,29]. The area is characterized by a large dendritic drainage network that includes several important rivers that flow into the lower area (Figure 2).…”

An Evaluation of Radon in Drinking Water Supplies in Major Cities of the Province of Chimborazo, Central Andes of Ecuador

“…Uncertainty of radon concentration is the standard deviation, calculated with Equation (5), using the results of the three samples collected at the same time from the water source. The spring with the highest level of radon is Catequilla on Chambo canton (14.78 Bq/L), where local geology is mapped as "Pisayambo volcanics", consisting of volcaniclastic deposits of intermediate to felsic affinity and the Miocene-Pliocene age [91]. The well with the highest concentration of radon is Cunupogyo in the Colta canton (11.36 Bq/L); it is 150 m deep, so it is most likely within the Tarqui Unit (Cisaran Formation) of the Miocene-Pliocene age, which consists of volcaniclastic deposits of intermediate to felsic affinity and intermediate lavas, a unit that would overlie the locally unknown basement.…”