Estudio de potenciales impactos de la actividad minera en los servicios ecosistémicos de los humedales de Fierro Urco, cantón Saraguro (Loja)

Abstract

The research was conducted in the high Andean Wetlands of Fierro Urco, located between cantones of Loja, Saraguro, Zaruma and Portovelo, the primary information was collected through interviews with 12 key stakeholders from institutions such as Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua Transición Ecológica, Gobierno Provincial de Loja, Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Municipal de Loja, Saraguro and Portovelo, Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Parroquial de Gualel, El Paraíso de Celén and Morales, as well as organizations such as Colectivo de Defensores del Agua y la Vida and independent activists. In addition, secondary information was systematized through the review of Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial de los cantones y parroquias within the study area, information generated by the Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua Transición Ecológica, studies and research conducted by Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Universidad Nacional de Loja and non-governmental organizations such as Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional. Maps were made about the location of the study area, land cover and land use, location of the Fierro Urco lake system, water network, watersheds and mining concessions; in addition, shadow maps and topographic relief maps were generated and used as the basis for the other maps mentioned above. Finally, with the information collected, a risk analysis was performed using ISO 31000:2018 as a reference. The main purpose of this research was to identify the potential impacts of mining activity on the ecosystem services of the Fierro Urco wetlands. The main impacts identified are related to the possible effects on water storage and supply, water flow regulation and biodiversity conservation; due to the potential execution of activities for mineral exploitation that may include: complete removal of vegetation coverage, excavation and earthworks, introduction of heavy machinery, deviation of natural water courses, installation of infrastructure, among others.