Evaluación de los impactos ambientales generados por la actividad turística en tres sitios de visita de la Laguna Limpiopungo, Parque Nacional Cotopaxi.

Abstract

All activities carried out by humans have impacts on the environment, even more so if they are developed in fragile sites such as high Andean lake ecosystems. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of tourism activities in Limpiopungo Lake, Cotopaxi National Park. Three visitor sites were identified and geo-referenced for monitoring, and a diagnosis of the current situation was made. Biophysical attributes were monitored in the water, soil, flora and landscape components. In addition, the water quality index was calculated using the León Index, which uses multiplicative and weighted techniques with the assignment of specific weights. The results were compared with the quality criteria established in current environmental regulations. However, based on this analysis, the impacts were identified, which are supported by the impact matrix, in relation to the environment, the socio-environmental component and socio-environmental factors. The quantification of the impacts was carried out using a methodological adaptation of the Rapid Impact Analysis (RIAM), Lázaro Lagos and Leopoldo. Two positive impacts were found that reached a weighting of 72, considered as moderate positive impact. These findings suggest an equivalence between negative and positive impacts, marking a difference between economic income and environmental conservation. The evaluation made it possible to propose several short-term environmental management measures, mainly of a preventive nature, aimed at the practice of sustainable tourism.