RESUMO
Agricultural intensification and urban sprawl have led to significant alterations in riverscapes, and one of the critical consequences is the deterioration of water quality with significant implications for public health. Therefore, the objectives of this study were the assessment of the water quality of the Suquía River, the assessment of LULC change at different spatial scales, and the analysis of the potential seasonal correlation among LULC change and Water Quality Index (WQI). The Sample Sites (SS) 1 and 2 before Cordoba city had the highest WQI values while from SS3 the WQI decreased, with the lowest WQI close to the wastewater treatment plant (SS7) after Cordoba city. From SS8 in a agricultural context, the WQI increases but does not reach the original values. In light of analysis carried out, the correlation between water quality variables and the different LULC classes at the local and regional scales demonstrated that WQI is negatively affected by agricultural and urban activities, while natural classes impacted positively. The spatialization of the results can help strongly in assessing and managing the diffusion of point and non-point pollution along the riverscape. The knowledge gained from this research can play a crucial role in water resources management, which supports the provision of river ecosystem services essential for the well-being of local populations.
RESUMO
Human decisions, policies, and management strategies play an important role in structuring landscape patterns in a metropolitan area. Land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes can be considered probably the most important factor affecting the environment and the maintenance of landscape service flow. In particular, processes such as agricultural intensification, deforestation, urbanization and industrialization affect landscape heterogeneity in terms of composition and configuration. However, the multifunctional aspect of LULC as well as traditional agricultural practices can contribute to the maintenance of landscape service flow. This research aims to analyze and assess: (1) LULC dynamics and change from 1988 to 2019 within the metropolitan area of Córdoba (Argentina); (2) the effect of this change on landscape composition and configuration; (3) the flow of landscape services from 1988 to 2019, with the identification of hot-spots of landscape service provision. To analyze LULC dynamics and change within the study area, three Landsat images were utilized, while change detection analysis has been performed to identify the areas most affected by changes, the spatial distribution of change and the change trajectories of LULC classes in terms of landscape composition and configuration. Finally, the valuation of landscape service flow has been carried out by placing an economic value on the LULC classes, through the use of proxies. LULC pattern change has resulted in the expansion of extensive agriculture. The total variation from 1988 to 2019 has highlighted a significant reduction of Horticulture, Forests, and Grasslands, which have been converted into other classes (Urban and Extensive Agriculture). This conversion of LULC classes has had profound effects on landscape service flow, which guarantees the well-being of local communities. This research has contributed to the knowledge of where the hot-spots of landscape service' provision are located by helping landscape managers to identify suitable local policies able to preserve them, thus avoiding their loss, and enhancing landscape integrity, functionality, and resilience.