Método de estudio socio ambiental para la ordenación del territorio en la Cordillera Alux de Guatemala

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the Cordillera Alux Protective Forest Reserve in Guatemala and included Mixco, San Juan Sacatepéquez, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, San Pedro Sacatepéquez and Santiago Sacatepéquez villages. The study of values attitudes and behavior was carried out in the municipality of San Lucas Sacatepéquez, included a sample of 369 people and data were collected in 2014. On the perception of the community towards the environment it was determined that the inhabitants had a low level of knowledge about the conservation of the protected area and the forest resources; only about 50% showed interest in becoming involved in movements or participating in the resolution of environmental problems. This result turns out to be a limitation with which one must work in environmental education programs, with the objective of taking positive actions for its conservation. The spatial growth trend and the change in land use were studied with a projection of the populated areas by 2030, to precede circumstances that should be considered in urban planning. It was found that the evolution of the structure in the population centers from its foundation until today, went from a traditional plot of the Spanish communities to become fragmented cities. The spatial analysis, through the photointerpretation of Landsat TM satellite images, showed the change in coverage of land use, the evolution of population centers and the expansion of urban areas. Among the factors that most influence the territorial environmental dynamics of the settlements, is the proximity to the capital city, which has led to the conurbation. The simulation on the future scenario to 2030, following the current trend, shows changes in coverage, progress in urban growth and the reduction of forest area, fundamental aspects to consider in the planning of the territory and in the taking of preventive measures. The investigation concludes with the proposal of a method to be used in the analysis on land use in protected areas that have been inhabited since before being declared as such. The purpose is to determine the impact that the change in land use has had xv on the configuration trends of the area. In addition, it is an auxiliary tool in territorial planning.