Resumo

MENCHACA DAVILA, María del Socorro  e  ALVARADO MICHI, Elba Lupita. Anthropogenic effects caused by water users in the Pixquiac river micro-basin. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.spe1, pp.85-96. ISSN 2007-0934.

Human beings affect ecosystems, therefore it is important to evaluate the impact that their activities have upon the water basins, forests and on their environmental services. The aim of this paper is to evaluate anthropogenic effects of water users and identify environmental services provided by ecosystems, as well as social and economic activities, in order to promote strategies that contribute to an adequate water management. The main objective of this work is the integrated basins management, given that water is an indispensable resource for the working of the ecosystem, crucial to human lives, and central for the production of goods and services. In order to analyze anthropogenic effects, an environmental impact matrix was developed, based on Leopold's (1971) Matrix, in which the cause-effect relationships are established; besides estimating their intensity, temporality, spatiality and reversibility. Activities of water users in the Pixquiac River micro-basin tend to have a negative impact, although their intensity and spatiality varies. Regarding temporality, a third of impacts are permanent. Thus, it is fundamental to develop management strategies that enable protection and conservation of water and forests, in order to face environmental degradation and guarantee the trans-generational wellbeing of human populations.

Palavras-chave : anthropogenic effects; environmental impact; environmental services; micro-basin; water users.

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