Design of a sustainable exploitation system for stony materials in the special management zone of the Upano River, Province of Morona Santiago.

Abstract

This study aims to design a sustainable system for the extraction of stone materials in the Upano River Special Management Zone, incorporating technical, environmental, and social criteria to minimize impacts on a sensitive ecosystem. The exploitation of natural resources, especially in sensitive ecosystems such as river systems, must be approached with a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective. This theoretical framework integrates principles from environmental science, sustainable development, resource management, and community engagement to design a system that minimizes environmental degradation while promoting socio-economic benefits. The methodology involved characterizing the riverbed, identifying alluvial deposits, and assessing the natural replenishment capacity of the river. The results showed that the deposits were composed mainly of blocks, gravels (74%), sands (20%), and fines (6%), all exhibiting high mechanical quality for construction. The natural replenishment rates were estimated at 76,101 m3 every six months for zone A (upstream) and 38,867 m3 for zone B (downstream), with daily replenishment rates of 422.79 m3 and 215.89 m3, respectively. Based on these data, sustainable extraction rates were determined to align with the river's natural dynamics. Environmental mitigation strategies included sediment barriers, continuous water quality monitoring, and reforestation with native species. Additionally, topographic and bathymetric technologies were employed to delimit extraction areas, minimizing alterations to the riverbed.