Abstract

LOPEZ BAEZ, Walter et al. Infiltration capacity of the river Cuxtepeques watershed, Chiapas, Mexico. riha [online]. 2016, vol.37, n.3, pp. 103-112. ISSN 1680-0338.

The biosphere reserve El Triunfo (REBITRI for its Spanish acronym) is an important regulator of streams that provide water resources for different watersheds in Mexico. Nevertheless, the assessment of ecosystem services provided by the Biosphere Reserve is still rare. In the Cuxtepeques river basin a water balance infiltration capacity was studied with the aim to point out the importance of the REBITRI as a recharge zone. The results show that the REBITRI, located in the upper part of the watershed, plays a decisive role in water catchment, being 2,5 times more than outside of the biosphere reserve. Forest conservation in the REBITRI is highly important as this land use is fundamental to maintain ecosystem services and its functioning.

Keywords : water balance; Cuxtepeques watershed; REBITRI; water catchment.

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