Morphometric, socioeconomic, and environmental characterization of the upper sub-basin of the San Pedro river, Guaicaipuro municipality, Miranda state

Abstract

The systemic analysis of a river basin for characterization purposes is a fundamental tool for understanding its processes and interrelations. The objective of this work was to characterize the socioeconomic, morphometric and environmental structure of the high basin of San Pedro River, located in the Coastal Mountain Range, Guaicaipuro municipality, Miranda State, in order to obtain information for a sustainable management. As a first phase, a bibliographic review was carried out and a second phase that took as a methodological basis the proposal of Fals Borda (1972). Using base cartography and satellite images, the basin was delimited and divided into two zones, one slightly intervened (A) and another strongly intervened (B), to obtain some morphometric parameters and thematic maps using GIS tools. The results show that basic services, health and education are present but are deficient in the rural areas farthest from the central area and the road network is unevenly distributed. The morphometric parameters indicate a basin with a low drainage density, which together with the presence of urban development, high agricultural activities can increase the risk of flooding with its corresponding material and human damage, especially in zone B.