Bosques de Ribera: Guardianes Silenciosos de la Calidad del Agua del Río Tomebamba en Cuenca, Ecuador

Vegetation and riparian forests are crucial as biological filters that improve water quality by intercepting pollutants and sediments. In the Tomebamba River in Cuenca, Ecuador, these functions are compromised due to various anthropogenic activities that affect both flora and water quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of riparian forests on the water quality of the Tomebamba River by monitoring 11 kilometers of the river, divided into eleven sections, and analyzing the data using two indices: the Riparian Forest Quality Index (RFQI) and the Water Quality Index (WQI-NSF). The results indicate that the water quality of the Tomebamba River is within the normal range. A low correlation was found between the QBR and ICA-NSF indices, suggesting that other factors also play a significant role in water quality. This study highlights the need to address multiple factors to improve water quality and emphasizes the critical importance of conserving riparian forests to maintain the health of urban water bodies. Furthermore, the results presented provide a solid basis for future research, which could further explore the interactions between riparian vegetation and water quality, as well as evaluate management and restoration strategies that can optimize the function of these ecosystems.