IMPORTANCE OF ALBARRADAS OF THE VALLE DE LA VIRGEN DEL CANTÓN PEDRO CARBO PARISH

IMPORTANCIA DE ALBARRADAS DE LA PARROQUIA VALLE DE LA VIRGEN

Abstract

The water systems in the world are valued by each human settlement since they supply water for consumption, promote the life of ecosystems and allow adaptation measures to climate change. In this context, this article aims to show the importance of the albarradas in the Parroquia Valle de la Virgen and the ecosystem services it provides. The methods used in this research were the quantitative and descriptive method, which allowed determining a total of 31 albarradas distributed throughout the parish and as a whole have the capacity to store an approximate of 4,738,063m3 of rainwater, which is the only source of water in the area during the summer time. On the other, it should be noted that among the main ecosystem services it provides is the provision of water for agricultural production, supply for small farmers in the area, and they serve as a means of life for transit birds. For its part, water for human consumption is not treated, which causes the presence of gastrointestinal diseases. Finally, it should be indicated that the existing water systems allow the resilience of the inhabitants and adapt to the present situation, which makes communities sustainable, leaving the challenge for the territorial governments in turn, to promote better local development with the provision of of basic services, which contributes to the fulfillment of the sustainability goals and the 2030 agenda.