Evaluation of the Hydrological Response to Land Use Change Scenarios in Urban and Non-Urban Mountain Basins in Ecuador

Abstract

Land cover is a crucial factor in controlling rainfall–runoff processes in mountain basins. However, various anthropogenic activities, such as converting natural vegetation to agricultural or urban areas, can affect this cover, thereby increasing the risk of flooding in cities. This study evaluates the hydrological behavior of two mountain basins in Loja, Ecuador, under varying land use scenarios. El Carmen small basin (B1), located outside the urban perimeter, and Las Pavas small basin (B2), within the urban area, were modeled using HEC-HMS 4.3 software. The results highlight the significant influence of vegetation degradation and restoration on hydrological processes. In degraded vegetation scenarios, peak flows increase due to reduced soil infiltration capacity, while baseflows decrease. Conversely, the conserved and restored vegetation scenarios show lower peak flows and higher baseflows, which are attributed to enhanced evapotranspiration, interception, and soil water storage. The study underscores the importance of ecosystem management and restoration in mitigating extreme hydrological events and improving water resilience. These findings provide a foundation for decision-making in urban planning and basin management, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary approaches to develop effective public policies.