Abstract

SALINAS-RODRIGUEZ, Sergio Alberto  and  RAMIREZ-MARCIAL, Neptalí. "El Triunfo" biosphere reserve rivers, a diagnosis for their hydrological restoration. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2010, vol.20, n.2, pp.91-100. ISSN 0188-8897.

In recent years the rivers in "El Triunfo" Biosphere Reserve (REBITRI) and its influence area have increased their riverbanks in width because of high precipitation events, resulting in economic and human losses in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. The objective of the present work was to identify, characterize, and diagnose five river sections to assess their ecological status inside of this natural area. Multicriterion analysis was performed to define the sampling rivers sections; to quantify its changes and dynamism, were characterized geomorphological and hydrologically, and the GIS analysis was complete through an aerial photos comparison to obtain composition and configuration index of each riparian landscape patch. The results indicate that the response of these rivers sections is mainly influenced by lack of tree cover on slopes. Plant cover is essential to retain and absorb much water as product of the surface runoff on the slopes. Therefore, the hydrological restoration projects must consider the tree cover reestablishment to balance erosion and sediment process relationship.

Keywords : Hydrological restoration; surface runoff; hurricanes; land-use change; GIS.