Propuesta de índice de calidad de suelos para la Reserva de Producción Faunística de Chimborazo.

Abstract

Soil quality indexes were proposed; for edaphic monitoring in the Reserve of Fauna Production of Chimborazo. The study area was determined by georeferencing maps where three important areas were limited: for agricultural use, recreation or tourism areas and special care áreas marked as "Not Intervened". Routes were established for each of the areas in order to cover the maximum possible extent of the reserve; Soil samples were then taken with the simple random sampling technique and three types were formed and analyzed in the Soil Laboratory of Natural Resources Faculty of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, results were obtained according to the analyzed parameters in the three types of soils, a relation was established between the affectation that could be affecting the activity with respect to this resource. Parameters were evaluated and correlated according to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indexes and a weighting was framed for each parameter and each activity by a qualitative assessment. Parameters such as electrical conductivity and organic matter were obtained, which are the most affected by the tourist activity. Soil texture of the route First refuge - Machay Temple - Solitary Tree - Casa Condor (Land for tourism use) was open sand, infiltration velocity was 0.13 mm/s or 468 cm/h, from the route Polylepis Forest (unattended) was the open sand and velocity of infiltration 0.25 mm/s and 900 cm/h, and the Route Information Center - First Refuge Ruta Chorrera - Machay Temple (sandy soil) was sandy and infiltration rate 0.14 mm/s or 504 cm/h. It is concluded that the highest incidence of demand is the tourist activity; Followed by agricultural activity in a weighting of "extremely good" to "good". It is recommended for future research on studies of soil wear, care and preservation, as these relatively good indicators would be considered a quality standard.