The Physical Impact of Mining Yacuambi River Basin, Southern Ecuador May 2011

1. The Physical Impact of MiningYacuambi River Basin, Southern EcuadorMay 2011 Emily Shimada, Environmental Science, University of Idaho Research Team B: Watershed Management in the Andean Paramo Faculty Advisors: Dr. Alex Fremier, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho Carlos Iñiguez A. Instituto de Ecología Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

2. Introduction: Sediment in Fluvial Environments Texture Classification Bedload(D>1mm) Suspended load (D<0.05mm) Wash load (D<0.0063mm)

3. Introduction: Cause & Effect of Increased Fluvial Sediment

4. Background: Tropical Mountain Stream Ecosystems

5. Research Objectives • What is the observed grain size distribution in: • Streams considered “un-impacted” from human land use activities (mining) • Impacted stream • Above & Below sites with changes in land use • What is the predicted grain size distribution based on measurable stream dimensions in: • Streams considered “un-impacted” from human land use activities (mining) • Impacted stream- • Above & Below sites with changes in land use • Is there a relationship between: • Observed & predicted D50 in different streams and stream reaches • Land use gradient & observed grain size distribution • Physical stream properties & ecological functioning of the stream? Study Site

6. Methods: 1) Field Work • General Stream Measurements • Velocity • Cross-sectional Area • Wetted Perimeter • Turbidity • Slope • Depth • Bankfull width • Site Selection • Impacted & un-impacted • Above & Below areas of distinct land use differences (mining) • Establish sites at the Stream Reach scale • Length = approx. 10X Width • Relatively uniform slope, dimensions, velocity 64mm 1mm Sediment Property Measurements • Pebble Count Median Grain Size (D50) • Wet Sieving  Median Grain Size (D50) For sediment diameters 1mm & 2mm

7. Methods: 2) Analytical Work Initiation of Motion 1) Predicted grain size distribution: • D50 that moves at observed flow • D50that moves at bankfullflow G= gRS bf = gRS • 2) Establish relationship between predicted & observed D50: • Between & within un-impacted stream reaches • Between & within impacted stream reaches (above and below land use site) • 3) Compare grain size distribution between impacted & un-impacted streams • Is there a clear correlation of grain size distribution to land use gradient? • Is there an ecological impact? (shear stress)  • Additional Measurements • Discharge Q=VA • Turbidity • Manning’s roughness

8. Bio-indicator Framework • Physical Impact of current land uses Relevance & Connection • Is there an observed ecological impact? • What is the relationship between land use and ecological impact? • What needs to be done? • Current watershed uses & policies • Cultural & political Perceptions of watershed use & resulting impacts • Is there an interest and/or agenda for watershed protection? • What can be done at the local & international level order to accommodate cultural values and stakeholders’ interests, while promoting sustainable land use practices and policies? • Watershed use & policy jurisdiction • (stakeholders) • Societal/Political affect on watershed use & the ecosystem

9. Thanks & References • Images: http://www.amazonrainforestnews.com/2011_04_01_archive.html • http://www.nativerevegetation.org/learn/manual/ch_5.aspx • http://www.amazonconservation.org/news/newsletter/0812/index.html • http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/lemke/geomorphology/lectures/03_stream_sediment.html