Background and aims

: The objective of this work is to classify mountain wetlands (vegas) in the Central Andes between 28° y 53°S, based on geomorphology and hydrology. In addition, it seeks to characterize and determine the area, height, and slope of the vegas in each typology.

M&M

: The determination of the different typologies was carried out based on an integrated biophysical approach at different scales of spatial analysis, where the vegas present in the study area were identified and their link with hydrological and geomorphological aspects. The dominant runoff types, and the geomorphological units were determined. Satellite images ALOS- AVNIR-2, Landsat 5 TM and field data were used.

Results

: A total of 304 vegas were identified that are determined by the geomorphological unit (river plains, alluvial fan, hillside, undifferentiated foothills, depression without surface discharge with or without water and fault) and the dominant type of runoff (linear surface, mantiform subsurface and subsurface mantiform to superficial linear). Four typologies of vegas are recognized: Riverbank, Hillside, Depression and Fault. The Riverbank and Hillside typologies were dominant in number and area. Eight and slope did not result different between typologies.

Conclusions

: The vegas present in the Central Andes respond to 4 typologies: Riverbank, Fault, Hillside and Depression. There is a close relationship between vegas, geomorphology and the dominant runoff, allowing their classification and to analyze different management measures. The obtained results are a contribution to the study of ecosystems of high ecological and socio-economic value in the region.