Transformation of the Natural Landscape and Urban Effects in the Cumbaza River Basin, Morales District (Peru)

Chinchay Peña J.M.; Campos Alarcón L.; Álvares García L.B.; Arévalo Lazo C. · Maskana (2026) · DOI: 10.18537/mskn.17.01.08

Resumen

The rapid growth of cities poses a significant threat to environmental balance due to the transformations it causes in the natural landscape and the Cumbaza River basin. The purpose of this research is to evaluate territorial changes and their ecological effects through a multitemporal analysis of aerial images from 1969, 1985, 2005, and 2024. Field checks were also carried out in 2024 to confirm the interpretation of land cover, vegetation, and changes to the physical environment. The results show a progressive replacement of natural and agricultural areas by residential, industrial, and recreational areas, which has led to biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and alterations in water dynamics. It is concluded that these processes continuously transform the natural environment, highlighting the urgency of strengthening sustainable land-use planning through the integration of ecological criteria. © Author(s) 2025.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Unión