TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL BEHAVIOR OF THE RIBERENO FOREST IN THE LOWER COURSE OF THE PORTOVIEJO RIVER AND THE CHILEAN BREA, PROVINCE OF MANABI, ECUADOR

The aim of this work was to study and compare, in spatial and temporal terms, the coverage of riparian forests in the lower reaches of the Portoviejo River and the ravine Chilan through the application of tools of geographical information systems, remote sensing and field monitoring. These forests are developed along two streams seated in adjacent basins, which flow into the Ecuadorian Pacific between Jaramijo and San Clemente. The results show that in the lower reach of the Portoviejo River, riparian forests had low rates of coverage in the years 1998, 2002, 2009, 2011 and 2013, while in the Chilan ravine, the rates of coverage increased significantly from 1998 to 2014, covering both riverbanks all the way. The growing agricultural and livestock developments are the main reasons why much of the riverine forest on the banks of Portoviejo River has disappeared. In contrast, in the Chil n ravine, there is no ongoing economic activity that may lead to spatial occupation and replacement of the forest. Based on the results found and the ecological importance of these natural areas, strategies for the conservation of riparian forests in the Chil n ravine are discussed and proposed, as well as strategies to restore areas of riparian forests throughout the Portoviejo River that have been replaced by crops and pastures. Among the proposals for restorative efforts, actions aimed at recovering its original trajectory are included, taking as reference small patches of vegetation of the same type that still remain in the study area.