Strengthening environmental management and local planning through hydrological connectivity analysis

Keywords: hydrological analyses, environmental management, local strategies
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 37

Abstract

The concept of hydrologic connectivity has favored developing a methodological and theoretical framework that allows analyzing how the intrinsic organization of a system governs the interchange of water and sediment within and outside the system, favoring the development of multidisciplinary studies. Hydrologic connectivity is quantified through various metrics developed, such as the Index of Connectivity (IC) and Lateral Hydrologic Efficiency Index (LHEI). Their spatial expressions allow, among other things: to recognize variations in the continuity of the routes by which water and sediment are mobilized, evaluate the effectiveness of implemented conservation strategies, and recognize the response of basins to the incidence of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The applications of hydrological connectivity have demonstrated its utility as a tool for decision making, optimization of plans and programs aimed at territorial management of watersheds, and identification of priority areas of attention in which to implement courses of action for natural resource management