Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
12:44
Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Using four capitals to assess watershed sustainability.
Octavio Pérez-Maqueo1, M Luisa Martinez, Gabriela Vázquez
1Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Km 2.5 Antigua Carretera a Coatepec 351, 91070, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. octavio.maqueo@inecol.edu.mx
Environmental Management
|November 7, 2012
Summary
Sustainable watershed management in Mexico requires balancing natural, human, social, and built capitals. Preserving natural capital is key for long-term well-being and development in the La Antigua watershed.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecosystem Management
- Sustainable Development
Background:
- The La Antigua watershed in Mexico is vital for its productivity, biodiversity, and history.
- Despite its attributes, the region faces significant poverty.
- Balancing the four capitals (natural, human, social, built) is crucial for sustainable management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an integrated assessment of the La Antigua watershed.
- To recommend a sustainable management strategy balancing the four capitals.
- To analyze the distribution of these capitals across the upper, middle, and lower watershed regions.
Main Methods:
- Integrated assessment of the La Antigua watershed.
- Comparative analysis of natural, human, social, and built capitals.
- Correlation analysis between Human Development Index and natural ecosystems.
Main Results:
- Natural capital is more abundant in the upper and middle watershed.
- Human and social capitals are generally higher in the lower watershed.
- Human Development Index shows a negative correlation with natural ecosystem percentage, particularly in upper and lower regions.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable watershed management necessitates the full integration of natural capital into development strategies.
- Preservation and adequate management of natural resources are essential for intergenerational well-being.
- Future development must consider the trade-offs and synergies between natural capital and human development.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
01:19Quality of Water
In concrete preparation, the quality of water is paramount as it affects the strength and durability of the concrete. Potable water is usually preferred; however, it must not have excessive sodium or potassium to prevent compromising the concrete's integrity. Water quality is typically evaluated based on impurities such as dissolved solids, chlorides, and sulfates, and its pH value is ideally between 6 and 8. Even slightly acidic natural water may be acceptable unless it contains harmful...
01:43Sustainable Development
As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
01:26Design Example: Sustainability in Concrete Building
As the construction industry moves towards more eco-friendly practices, concrete's adaptability and its ability to incorporate sustainable features make it a key material in the drive towards greener building solutions.
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground cistern.
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground cistern.
01:14Conservation of Mass in Moving, Nondeforming Control Volume
Stormwater detention basins are essential in managing runoff during heavy rainfall, particularly in urban areas where impervious surfaces increase the risk of flooding. Understanding the conservation of mass in these systems allows engineers to optimize basin performance, balancing inflow, outflow, and water storage.
In the context of a detention basin, the conservation of mass states that the total mass of water entering the basin must equal the mass leaving the basin plus any accumulation of...
In the context of a detention basin, the conservation of mass states that the total mass of water entering the basin must equal the mass leaving the basin plus any accumulation of...
01:24Freshwater Microbial Ecology
Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic systems...