Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology
Understanding the influence of land use/land cover (LULC) on stream water quality (WQ) is essential for conservation of ecosystem services (ES) and informing sustainable land use planning. This study investigates the influence of LULC on stream WQ during the wet and dry seasons 2022–2024, across two...
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25009148 |
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| author | P.E. Prado C.G. Oporto K. Jönsson D. Rejas V. Martinez K.M. Persson |
| author_facet | P.E. Prado C.G. Oporto K. Jönsson D. Rejas V. Martinez K.M. Persson |
| author_sort | P.E. Prado |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding the influence of land use/land cover (LULC) on stream water quality (WQ) is essential for conservation of ecosystem services (ES) and informing sustainable land use planning. This study investigates the influence of LULC on stream WQ during the wet and dry seasons 2022–2024, across two representative watersheds in the Bolivian central Andes, a region with marked physical gradients, and external water transfers for irrigation, human consumption, and hydropower. A novel methodology was applied, combining LULC classification based on rich satellite data sources (Sentinel 1 and 2, Landsat 8), landscape characteristics, and the assessment of cumulative upstream effects on WQ across multiple spatial scale scenarios. Additionally, an anthropogenic land cover index (ALCI) was developed as a simplified indicator for WQ prediction with transferable and generalisation potential for the catchment scale. Our results revealed a strong association between cropland, built-up areas, and lawns with lower WQ parameters. In contrast, grasslands, tree cover, wetlands, and rocky areas were inverse correlated with pollution levels, particularly at the riparian and reach scales, highlighting their buffering capacity. Seasonal variation significantly influenced WQ, with greater effects at finer spatial scales. The catchment and cumulative watershed scales provided the highest predictive accuracy. Additionally, the ALCI also proved to be a promising proxy for estimating stream WQ in similar Andean environments. These findings underscore the importance of spatial configuration and natural LULC types in mitigating pollution, and support the adoption of integrated, multiscale watershed management approaches for sustaining ES in the central Andes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0a5caabcee5b406db5d53d2c2e742dc4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj-art-0a5caabcee5b406db5d53d2c2e742dc42025-08-20T04:01:48ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-09-0117811398410.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113984Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodologyP.E. Prado0C.G. Oporto1K. Jönsson2D. Rejas3V. Martinez4K.M. Persson5Department of Building and Environmental Technology. Division of Water Resources Engineering. Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Unidad de Limnología y Recursos Acuáticos (ULRA), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental (CASA), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Corresponding author at: Department of Building and Environmental Technology. Division of Water Resources Engineering. Lund University, Lund, Sweden.Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental (CASA), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, BoliviaDepartment of Process and Life Science Engineering, Lund University, Lund, SwedenUnidad de Limnología y Recursos Acuáticos (ULRA), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, BoliviaDepartment of Engineering Geology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Laboratorio de Hidráulica (LH), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, BoliviaDepartment of Building and Environmental Technology. Division of Water Resources Engineering. Lund University, Lund, SwedenUnderstanding the influence of land use/land cover (LULC) on stream water quality (WQ) is essential for conservation of ecosystem services (ES) and informing sustainable land use planning. This study investigates the influence of LULC on stream WQ during the wet and dry seasons 2022–2024, across two representative watersheds in the Bolivian central Andes, a region with marked physical gradients, and external water transfers for irrigation, human consumption, and hydropower. A novel methodology was applied, combining LULC classification based on rich satellite data sources (Sentinel 1 and 2, Landsat 8), landscape characteristics, and the assessment of cumulative upstream effects on WQ across multiple spatial scale scenarios. Additionally, an anthropogenic land cover index (ALCI) was developed as a simplified indicator for WQ prediction with transferable and generalisation potential for the catchment scale. Our results revealed a strong association between cropland, built-up areas, and lawns with lower WQ parameters. In contrast, grasslands, tree cover, wetlands, and rocky areas were inverse correlated with pollution levels, particularly at the riparian and reach scales, highlighting their buffering capacity. Seasonal variation significantly influenced WQ, with greater effects at finer spatial scales. The catchment and cumulative watershed scales provided the highest predictive accuracy. Additionally, the ALCI also proved to be a promising proxy for estimating stream WQ in similar Andean environments. These findings underscore the importance of spatial configuration and natural LULC types in mitigating pollution, and support the adoption of integrated, multiscale watershed management approaches for sustaining ES in the central Andes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25009148Land use/land coverWater qualityWatershed managementAnthropogenic land cover index (ALCI)Google earth engineCentral Andes |
| spellingShingle | P.E. Prado C.G. Oporto K. Jönsson D. Rejas V. Martinez K.M. Persson Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology Ecological Indicators Land use/land cover Water quality Watershed management Anthropogenic land cover index (ALCI) Google earth engine Central Andes |
| title | Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology |
| title_full | Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology |
| title_fullStr | Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology |
| title_short | Influence of land use/land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central Andes of Bolivia: An optimised methodology |
| title_sort | influence of land use land cover on stream water quality in two watersheds in the central andes of bolivia an optimised methodology |
| topic | Land use/land cover Water quality Watershed management Anthropogenic land cover index (ALCI) Google earth engine Central Andes |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25009148 |
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