Riverbank Monitoring with Futaleufú Riverkeeper
By: Thomas Hynes
Our local riverbanks are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world and constitute the most iconic landscapes of Futaleufú. However, they face permanent threats, such as fragmentation of the land, road construction, gravel extraction and deforestation of native forests.
Protecting the ecosystems is part of our foundation’s mission and to this end we have started a riverbank monitoring project. Using drones and a QBR method, with the aim of diagnosing the current state of the riverbanks, we monitor changes over time and respond promptly to any negative impacts.
Goals:
- Evaluate the current state of the riverbanks, analyzing the composition of their coverage, the degree of erosion, fluvial geomorphology and the landscape from a river perspective.
- Implement a periodic monitoring system to assess changes in riverbanks over time, allowing for a deep understanding of changes and trends.
- Develop and maintain a public information system that enables users to identify the current state of riverbanks and understand the changes that have occurred over time, promoting transparency and access to relevant data.
Advances:
- Aerial photography that monitors the banks of the Espolón and Futaleufú Rivers.
- Design of a riverbank monitoring methodology tailored to Patagonian rivers, specifically the Futaleufú River.
- Assessment of riverbank properties eligible for the implementation of Conservation easements (DRC in Spanish).
Support Futaleufú Riverkeeper in this work by making your tax-deductible donation today.
