Gestión integrada de recursos hídricos. Caso de estudio: Análisis multitemporal de cambios en la cubierta vegetal mediante el uso de imágenes satelitales en los páramos de la parroquia de Pastocalle, cantón Latacunga, provincia de la parroquia de Pastocalle, cantón Latacunga, provincia de Cotopaxi en el periodo 2020 - 2024

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes how vegetation cover has changed in the páramos of the San Juan de Pastocalle parish, located in the Cotopaxi province (Ecuador), between 2020 and 2024. To this end, this work relied on Sentinel-2 satellite images, along with GIS tools. Data analysis was carried out using the QGIS program, where both supervised and unsupervised classification methods were applied. The NDVI index was also used to assess the state of vegetation in various areas of the study site. This work focused on differentiating between areas that have been intervened from those that remain more conserved. Images taken during the dry season were chosen, with the aim of reducing the impact of climatic variations on the results. The data show that vegetation cover decreased significantly between 2020 and 2022, improved slightly in 2023, and declined again in 2024. These changes demonstrate the significant human pressure on the páramo ecosystem, making it necessary to implement conservation and recovery measures. Furthermore, the methodology used in this study can be adapted to other Andean regions, as it helps improve more responsible water and land management.