Geospatial Inventory of Springs and Agroecological Zoning in a Semi-Arid Rural Community: A Case Study of Puñun, Peru

Félix B.G.H.; Carranza C.F.C.; Pino V.D.E.; Cartagena W.J.D.; Saavedra C.E.C. · International Journal of Environmental Impacts (2025) · DOI: 10.56578/ijei080515

Resumen

The study carried out in the Puñun Peasant Community had as its main objective the inventory of springs and the planning of agroecological zones, assessing water availability in a semi-arid environment. The methodology included the georeferencing of 139 springs and flow measurement using the volumetric method in Sector II. Measurements were taken quarterly on three key dates during the 2024 dry season: April, June, and December. Agroecological zones were delimited considering soil and climate factors and morphological factors, using Arc GIS 10.8 GIS software. A mixed approach was also applied to collect quantitative and qualitative data, including interviews with experts. The results showed that springs contribute significantly to the available flow in the agroecological zones, with a total water volume of 631.56 m3 in Sector II, distributed among four identified zones. According to experts, the spring inventory had a strong influence on agroecological planning, reaching an index of 0.89. Likewise, the Pearson correlation test between the area of the agroecological zones and the volume of water available in the springs showed a nearly perfect positive relationship (r = 0.99). The conclusions highlighted the importance of springs for agricultural sustainability and the urgent need to implement efficient water management strategies, promoting responsible water use and environmental conservation. It is estimated that the total available volume can support agricultural irrigation of approximately 29.19 hectares.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos