Distribution pattern and morphometric parameters of shallow ponds in southern Buenos Aires province, Argentina

VANESA Y. BOHN; GERARDO M.E. PERILLO; M. CINTIA PICCOLO

Lake Placid, Florida

Workshop; GLEON 6; 2008

GLEON

In the Buenos Aires province (Argentina) the number of lagoons and shallow ponds surpasses the thousands including permanent and non permanent water bodies. Most of them are developed in  agricultural zones. The rainfall regime presents the higher values in autumn and spring. Due to their physical characteristics, shallow pond spatial variation has a significant correlation with seasonal events. The spatial distribution, morphometric parameters and extension changes of the shallow ponds in the southern Buenos Aires Province were studied during two periods: normal and wet years. GIS operations, satellite image and DEM data were used to evaluate shallow pond area changes and morphometric parameter calculation. The distribution of the water bodies was assessed in relation to the topographic slope, drainage system, soils characteristics and rainfall regime. In all cases of morphometric parameters, the values present an increase during the wet period with respect to the normal one. During the humid period the number of shallow ponds with an area less than 1 km2 increases and, therefore, the area covered by water. The highest shallow pond number was developed in the east of the study area. Finally, a significant correlation was found among the spatial distribution of the shallow ponds, geomorphologic and edaphic features and the drainage density. The spatial distribution, morphometric parameters and extension changes of the shallow ponds in the southern Buenos Aires Province were studied during two periods: normal and wet years. GIS operations, satellite image and DEM data were used to evaluate shallow pond area changes and morphometric parameter calculation. The distribution of the water bodies was assessed in relation to the topographic slope, drainage system, soils characteristics and rainfall regime. In all cases of morphometric parameters, the values present an increase during the wet period with respect to the normal one. During the humid period the number of shallow ponds with an area less than 1 km2 increases and, therefore, the area covered by water. The highest shallow pond number was developed in the east of the study area. Finally, a significant correlation was found among the spatial distribution of the shallow ponds, geomorphologic and edaphic features and the drainage density.