Abstract

LANZA ESPINO, Guadalupe de la  and  GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ, Gabriela. Analysis of the short term geo-environmental evolution of an endorreic basin using satellite images: the case of Tecocomulco Lagoon, Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2005, n.58, pp.66-79. ISSN 2448-7279.

The Great Basin of the Valley of Mexico was composed of several lagoons that have disappeared due to their geologic evolution and anthropogenic activities. The Tecocomulco lagoon, Hidalgo, is a relict of that basin and has undergone extreme changes in its size and water composition during geologic periods; however, climatic changes, the deforestation of the sub-basin and the agricultural activities have modified its morphology, area and depth, leading to a great accumulation of sediments that fill up the lagoon. The estimate of changes in the lagoon's surface through five decades (1975, 1985, 1990, 2001, 2002) was the objective of the present work using satellite images, jointly with an environmental interpretative analysis. The factors that have modified the Tecocomulco lagoon are: climate, the contribution of a high load of sediments to the sub-basin, agricultural activities and their interaction, to such a degree that its disappearance is very likely, following the same trend as other lagoons of the Great Basin of Mexico.

Keywords : Tecocomulco lagoon; satellite images.

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