Evaluación de los impactos ambientales generados por la actividad turística en tres sitios de visita de la Laguna Negra, Parque Nacional Sangay, zona alta.

Abstract

The main problem exists in the Negra lagoon is the environmental pollution caused by visitors and local people, through vandalism and the beliefs of some visitors who are dedicated to perform rituals leaving their offerings in most of the route, therefore, the objective or this research was to evaluate the environmental impacts generated by tourism in three visitor sites of the Negra lagoon, during the period August 2022 - August 2023, in Sangay National Park, high zona; for this purpose, an observational and analytical study was carried out, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods of a longitudinal nature, through structured sampling, identifying three visitor sites with different levels of tourist use. In addition, the research was carried out in several processes: initially, a baseline was established to analyze the initial condition of the attraction; then the biophysical attributes of water, soil, flora, and landscape were monitored; subsequently, environmental impacts were evaluated using an environmental impact assessment matrix; and finally, mitigation measures were proposed for the identified impacts. Through this methodology, the quality of the water body and its possible uses were determined; likewise, the environmental impacts related to the tourist attraction were identified and the necessary measures to mitigate these impacts were established. To sum up, this study has been an essential guide for the implementation of management and regulation strategies that seek to minimize negative impacts, promote sustainable practices, and encourage the conservation of the natural environment.