Conservation status of coastal wetlands in the province of Huaura, Peru

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the conservation status of coastal wetlands in the province of Huaura. Methodology: Two tours were conducted to identify the flora, ecosystem services and environmental stressors of the Huacho, Hualmay and Carquin wetlands (HHCW) using a checklist, then the environmental impact assessment was carried out through the simplified CONESA matrix. The contributions of the main actors and the documented information were obtained through interviews with the municipal authorities of each district. Likewise, 90 people were surveyed to know the perception of the population, whose data were exported and processed in the Excel program. Results: 21 flora species, 21 ecosystem services, 9 environmental tensors were identified. The most outstanding environmental impact with critical category were the changes in water dynamics. 80% of the population considered that the authorities did not show interest in the conservation status of the HHCW. Conclusion: The conservation status of the Huacho-Hualmay-Carquín wetland was low. The ecosystem is vulnerable due to the activities carried out by the local population, generating environmental stressors that severely impact the water, soil, flora and fauna components, in addition to the lack of interest and participation of local authorities in the conservation of the wetland.