Análisis espacio-temporal de los usos de suelo y sus presiones como herramienta de gestión integrada de cuencas. El caso de la microcuenca Tarariras, Maldonado, Uruguay

Abstract

The microbasin of the Tarariras creek (Maldonado, Uruguay) covers different types of environments, from hills to coastal areas, including diverse natural, cultural and national heritage values. This basin presents different land uses (rural and urban) with specific environmental pressures. Due to its small scale and geomorphological properties, it is an excellent study model for spatio-temporal dynamics of natural and anthropic activities. Based on photo-interpretation, aerial images of 1966 and 2013 were analyzed. Major changes in the environment, activities and land uses were described and confirmed by direct observation, reaching a complete description at the basin level. Native forests were characterized through a phyto-sociologic sampling design, and selected interviews were performed. An integrated discussion of these results was carried out considering regulation and planification of land for the region. Finally, major pressures by different land uses (urbanization, exotic species in forests, sewage input and dam at the water level) were identified. Integrative approaches at basin level with cualitative and cuantitative parameters allowed to identify pressures that can exert changes (reversible or not) towards an integrated management of the socioecosystems.