Análisis multitemporal del cambio de uso y cobertura del suelo y su incidencia en la diversidad florística, en el Páramo de Igualata, provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the changes in land use and cover between the period 2001-2021 and its influence on the floristic diversity in the grassland ecosystem of the moorland in Igualata, Guano city, province of Chimborazo. LandSat 7 satellite images were used to determine changes in land use and land cover, which were obtained from the USGS platform, where quality standards and the amount of 20% cloud cover were considered. The supervised classification method was applied in the Arc Map 10.8 software, subsequently thematic land use maps were prepared. Four categories were distinguished: Crops, Pastures, Forest Plantations and Moorland, in which the annual rate of change of cover (ARC) was determined, which revealed that agricultural activities (Crops) have significantly influenced from 2658.1 ha to 6670, 51 ha with a ARC of 4.6 ha/year contributing to the decrease in vegetation cover. Likewise, the floristic composition was characterized in which 64 plots of 3 x 3m were surveyed, within which 128 quadrants of 1 m² were located, randomly distributed according to the GLORIA method. The plots were established in the Ilapo, Santa Fe de Galán and San Isidro de Patulú parishes, belonging to the Igualata moorland within an altitudinal range of 3800 to 4200 meters above sea level. Plants belonging to 18 families and 31 species were identified, which served to calculate the alpha and beta diversity indices. The results of this research can contribute with relevant information for future territorial planning plans, as well as for the conservation of the grassland ecosystem of the moorland