Determinación del caudal Ecológico y macroinvertebrados acuáticos en la acequia asociación “Pugyo Prado”, mediante el método Tennant e índice biológico (ABI) en el cantón Cayambe, provincia de Pichincha. 2024

Abstract

Water quality is crucial for life, as it influences human health and ecosystems. On the other hand, ecological flow is key to maintaining aquatic ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and preventing the degradation of water sources. This study evaluated the water quality in the Association 1 y 2 Prado" irrigation canal, located in the Cayambe canton, San José de Ayora parish, Pichincha province. The ABI Biological Index and the Tennant method were used to determine the ecological flow. The objectives of this research are to determine the ecological flow and assess aquatic macroinvertebrates, using the Tennant method and the Biological Index (ABI) as indicators of the conservation of the Association 1 y 2 irrigation canal, as well as propose management and conservation strategies based on the results obtained regarding the water quality in the study area. The methodology used to determine water quality consists of the ABI index to evaluate water quality based on the families of macroinvertebrates present, with the following parameters: 90-100 (excellent), 70-89 (good), 50-69 (moderate), 25-49 (poor), and 0-24 (very poor). The families Planorbidae, Libellulidae, Psephenidae, and Planaridae were identified, with a total abundance of 46, not exceeding 25 points, indicating very poor water quality. The ecological flow was estimated through the Tennant method in October, November, and December of 2024, calculating the recommended ecological flows based on the annual average flow: 10% (5.9083 L/s) for aquatic survival, 30% (17.725 L/s) for suitable habitat, and 60% (35.4501 L/s) for optimal conditions, with an average flow of 59.8 L/s, concluding that the minimum required is 10% of the annual average flow.