Cambio en la cobertura y uso de suelo en una área de bosque seco de la provincia de los Rios.

Abstract

Abstract: This study focuses on analyzing changes in land cover and use in a dry forest area in the province of Los Ríos, Ecuador. Dry forests are vital for biodiversity and provide important environmental services, however, they have observed significant changes in its coverage and land use in recent years. This research, used Sentinel 2A images to identify land cover and use and the exchange rates associated with a dry forest area in Los Ríos. Concluding that, According to the data provided, it can be said that for the year 2018 some areas covered by natural vegetation and represented 7653.34ha of the surface of the territory and by 2022 it will be reduced to 6861.07 ha. This decrease in the surface of natural vegetation represents a negative aspect of the canton's initiative and also for the country due to extensive reforestation. Therefore, it is necessary to recover this vegetative ecosystem entering induced grasslands for livestock purposes. The surfaces covered by water have decreased in this study period, causing serious problems to the inhabitants of the area. promote the conservation and restoration of vegetation cover in the region. On the other hand, the forest area decreased slightly, from 7653.34 ha in 2018 to 6861.07 ha in 2022. could be due to various causes, such as deforestation, expansion of human activities such as agriculture and livestock, the construction of infrastructures, among others. This study is important for resource conservation natural resources and planning future actions.