Hydrologic modeling of El Chuveje and Arroyo Real micro watersheds as a tool for the implementation of an ecological payment service at the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, Queretaro, Mexico

摘要

The hydrologic behavior of the micro watersheds El Chuveje and Arroyo Real of The Sierra Gorda of Queretaro, Mexico was simulated with the Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) hydrologic model, specifically by the Soil Watershed Assessment Tool (SWAT). According to the results obtained by the simulations, the most important areas in terms of percolation, surface runoff, water yield, and sediment yield were identified. It was also analyzed the effect of land cover changes to the hydrologic response of the micro watersheds in terms of water quantity and quality. Besides achieving the application of the SWAT hydrologic tool in two Mexicans micro watersheds, the priorities areas for management and conservation were identify in terms of the hydrologic response with and without land cover changes. Additionally, it was also obtained the amount of water that leaves each micro watershed in m3/day. This value is going to be used in the economic study for the implementation of an ecological service payment system at the study areas.