Impacto del cambio de uso del suelo en la escorrentía superficial y la conductividad hidráulica: estudio de caso en la cuenca del río Baché, Huila (2004-2024)

Heider Fernando  Losada Losada; Juan Guillermo Popayán Hernández

doi:10.22490/21456453.9883

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026)

Published 2025-12-02

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Área Ambiental

Cambio climático

Impact of land use change on surface runoff and hydraulic conductivity: a case study in the Baché River basin, Huila (2004-2024)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/21456453.9883

Heider Fernando Losada Losada South Colombian University

Juan Guillermo Popayán Hernández National University of Colombia

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Abstract
References

Contextualization: The study analyzed surface runoff variations in the Baché River basin (Huila, Colombia) caused by land-use changes over three periods (2004, 2014, 2024).

Knowledge gap: Integrated analyses of how forest conversion to agriculture affected the hydrological response in volcanic soils (Andisols and Inceptisols) were lacking, despite covering 49.8% of the basin.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of changes in vegetation cover on hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and runoff, using hydrological models and satellite data.

Methodology: Landsat image processing (4/7/8, 30 m) in ArcGIS; digitalization of digital elevation models. HEC-HMS modeling was used to generate hydrological scenarios, and Ks was calculated, and flow rates were compared.

Results: Progressive reduction in Ks: 2.1 mm/h (2004) to 1.59 mm/h (2024); Increase in runoff: 899 m³/s (2004, 44.29% forest) to 1619 m³/s (2024, 70.9% agriculture), with a greater impact on volcanic soils near the drainage network.

Conclusions: Forest conversion has reduced soil water retention capacity by 47% in 20 years. The integrated GIS modeling approach has proven effective in assessing hydrological impacts, highlighting the need for volcanic soil conservation policies.

keywords: Watershed, runoff, HEC-HMS, hydraulic conductivity, infiltration

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How to Cite

Losada Losada, H. F. ., & Popayán Hernández, J. G. (2025). Impact of land use change on surface runoff and hydraulic conductivity: a case study in the Baché River basin, Huila (2004-2024). Revista De Investigación Agraria Y Ambiental, 17(1), 267-294. https://doi.org/10.22490/21456453.9883

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