Abstract

LOPEZ BAEZ, Walter et al. Hydrologic connectivity between basins, municipalities and the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.spe8, pp.1417-1423. ISSN 2007-0934.

In 2011 the connectivity between basins, municipalities and the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve (REBITRI), was studied, in order to guide the design of conservation programs. Overlapping polygons of basin, municipalities and the reserve, the land and water connectivity was analyzed using the contingent valuation methodology, a survey of users' willingness to pay for water services and runoff was estimated by the water balance method in four representative basins. The reserve shares administrative boundaries with 9 municipalities, but under the hydrologic connectivity analysis, extends its influence to 11 municipalities across 14 basins. Water is a strategic environmental service for consumption of 400 000 inhabitants, production and processing of agricultural commodities, hydropower generation, maintenance of biodiversity and as flood risk regulator. Because of its greater volume of potential net water recharge (m3 ha-1 year-1) and location in the mountain range, REBITRI is strategic as a water recharge zone and downstream flood risk regulator. The information generated is useful for creating cooperation and compensation mechanisms between society, sectoral agencies, municipalities and NGO's to boost the competitiveness of the territory with a basin approach.

Keywords : conservation; compensation; environmental water services.

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