Studies from the ecosystem services perspective can provide a useful framework because they allow us to fully examine the benefits that humans obtain from socio-ecological systems. Mexico City, the second largest city in the world, has faced severe problems related to water shortages, which have worsened due to increasing population. Demand for space has forced changes in land cover, including covering areas that are essential for groundwater recharge. The city has 880 km(2) of forest areas that are crucial for the water supply. The Magdalena River Watershed was chosen as a model because it is a well-preserved zone within Mexico City and it provides water for the population. The general aim of this study was to assess the ecosystem service of the water supply in the Magdalena River Watershed by determining its water balance (SWAT model) and the number of beneficiaries of the ecosystem services. The results showed that the watershed provides 18.4 hm(3) of water per year. Baseflow was dominant, with a contribution of 85%, while surface runoff only accounted for 15%. The zone provides drinking water to 78,476 inhabitants and could supply 153,203 potential beneficiaries. This work provides an example for understanding how ecosystem processes determine the provision of ecosystem services and benefits to the population in a rural-urban watershed in Mexico City.
Los servicios ambientales son beneficios que los humanos obtienen de los ecosistemas. Actualmente existen diversos instrumentos de política pública para conservarlos, sin embargo, hay muy pocas técnicas y herramientas establecidas, estandarizadas y probadas que permitan evaluar los resultados de estos esfuerzos. En la Ciudad de México existen programas ambientales que otorgan una compensación económica a los propietarios de la tierra por la conservación y mantenimiento de los servicios ambientales. Se considera fundamental establecer mecanismos y herramientas que permitan la evaluación de estos programas a través del monitoreo participativo. Este estudio relata la experiencia del diseño de herramientas para monitorear tres servicios ambientales (infiltración de agua, almacén de carbono, biodiversidad). Las técnicas se diseñaron empleando material poco especializado, de fácil acceso y alta confiabilidad; éstas fueron probadas con beneficiarios y funcionarios de un programa ambiental de la CDMX. Este ejercicio permitió conocer los retos y proporcionar recomendaciones para mejorar estas evaluaciones, con el objetivo de su futura implementación, tanto para evaluar programas ambientales, como para empoderar a los actores locales con mayor información sobre sus ecosistemas y los beneficios que éstos generan.
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