El término calidad del agua es relativo, referido a la composición del agua en la medida en que esta es afectada por la concentración de sustancias producidas por procesos naturales y actividades humanas. Como tal, es un término neutral que no puede ser clasificado como bueno o malo, sin hacer referencia al uso para el cual el agua es destinada. De acuerdo con lo anterior, tanto los criterios como los estándares y objetivos de calidad de agua variarán dependiendo de sí se trata de agua para consumo humano, para uso agrícola o industrial, para recreación, para mantener la calidad ambiental, etc. Para efectos de estos lineamientos se consideran las variables que se enumeran a continuación.

Solids concentration

The term "solids concentration") refers to the proportion of solids - minerals - in suspension in a given body of water. The treatment to make it drinkable requires infrastructure and, eventually, high operating costs. The size of the particles as well as their chemical and physical characteristics determine the type of impact and the possible forms of treatment. A very high concentration of solids in water also produces unpleasant colors and flavors. The main cause for an increase in the concentration of suspended solids is generally the increase in erosion generated by human activities.

Toxic substances

This name includes a set of substances such as industrial waste, heavy metals and agrochemicals whose consumption can generate toxicity reactions - mild or severe - in the human and animal population settled in the basin. The sources of toxic substances are industrial, mining and agricultural activities.

Organic compounds, nutrients and pathogens

The presence in high concentrations of organic compounds such as feces, blood and animal remains (from slaughterhouses and other plants that benefit animals), generate high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, can lead to the eutrophication of water bodies. On the other hand, the presence of pathogenic organisms, such as fecal coliforms and other bacterial and viral forms, constitute the source of transmission of diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and different types of enteritis.

Los suelos constituyen el cuerpo natural, soporte de la vegetación y de numerosas formas de vida animal, a través del cual se completa parte de la fase terrestre del ciclo hidrológico. Asimismo, son el recurso natural y la base espacial a partir de la cual se realiza una gran variedad de desarrollos y actividades humanas, por ejemplo la agricultura, la minería y desarrollos urbanísticos y viales.

La importancia de ambas funciones justifica la atención prestada a los suelos durante el proceso de diseño del proyecto y al momento de analizar los potenciales impactos ambientales del mismo.

Soil properties

Soil is a dynamic system made up of four basic components, mineral matter, organic matter (which includes organic matter in different degrees of decomposition and microorganisms), water and gases in proportions such that they allow the development of higher plants.

Soils differ from each other due to their physical, chemical and biological properties. The most important physical properties are its texture, apparent density and structure. The physical properties of the soil define the infiltration and storage capacity of water and contribute to defining its erodibility and capacity for use.

The most important chemical properties are the cation exchange capacity, the degree of acidity or alkalinity and the concentration of salts in the profile. The chemical properties of soils are, above all, associated with their ability to be used for agricultural purposes.

Finally, biological properties are associated with the presence of organic matter and animal life forms, such as microorganisms, worms and insects. They contribute to defining its usability and erodibility.

Changes in these properties generated by any project intervention can cause negative impacts in situ or downstream of the intervention site. For example, the intensive use of agricultural machinery can lead to the loss of soil structure (due to compaction) and, consequently, a reduction in its infiltration capacity. This, in turn, can contribute to increasing surface runoff and causing linear erosion processes (gullies, ditches or ditches).

Soil pollution

It refers to the presence of remains of chemical substances from anthropogenic activities such as, for example, agrochemicals and/or waste.

Land use capacity

The term "land use capacity" refers to the potential of a soil as a resource to develop different crops and forms of agriculture. For its determination, the properties of the soil, the topographic characteristics of the terrain, the climate, the requirements of the crop and one or more technological reference levels are taken into consideration and related.

Integrated watershed management projects can introduce changes in soil use capacity, for example, by introducing soil conservation practices, constructing flood control works, or improving drainage conditions. On the other hand, initiatives such as the execution of urban developments in areas of high agricultural potential, or agricultural developments in forestry-oriented areas will contribute to reducing the potential of these resources.

Sedimentation

The transport and deposition of sediments is a natural process that can be modified - accelerated or decelerated - by the effect of human interventions. This process is determined by geological, hydrological and socioeconomic factors. Among the former, the type of formation and structural conditions at the site of origin of the sediments predominate; As for the latter, the characteristics of the rainfall, the runoff regime, the formation of the drainage network and the geometry of the channel predominate. Regarding socioeconomic aspects, the decisions and initiatives regarding the use of land and resources by various social actors in the basin stand out.

The impacts of sediment transport and deposition are varied. These include the destruction of infrastructure works, damage to crops and flooding. Depending on the chemical characteristics of the sediments, these processes could contribute to the enrichment of soils in the areas where depositions are made.

Relief, topography and landscape

The term relief refers to the physiographic configuration of a basin or sectors within it. Topography represents the irregularities of the terrain. In some cases, the expression micro-relief is used to refer to the topographic characteristics of an area. Finally, landscape is the term used to refer to the synthesis of elements that define the external configuration of a geographical space: relief, topography, vegetation, bodies of water, presence of animal species and the manifestations of human activity.

These natural characteristics can be affected by integrated watershed management projects. Indeed, torrent and flood control works can definitively alter the topographical configuration of a place and, therefore, the characteristics of the landscape. For example, longitudinal dikes for flood control modify the topography of the site and the original views of the area; waterfalls and rapids may disappear as a result of torrent control works. Archaeological or natural monuments can be permanently submerged due to the construction of dams to store water.

Surface erosion

Soil loss is the consequence of erosive processes. These can be natural or accelerated by external causes, among which anthropic action stands out (process of degradation of the relief and subsoil due to human action). Soil erosion is a function of the erosivity of rainfall, or the speed and direction of winds, the erodibility of soils, the length and gradient of the slope, the degree and type of vegetation cover and the type and level of intensity of intervention on the soils.

Agricultural activity and the construction of road infrastructure") in areas with steep slopes, together with highly erosive rainfall and erodible soils, are two of the most frequent causes of accelerated erosion due to anthropogenic action.

Slope instability

It is the process by which natural slopes or slopes built by anthropogenic activities lose stability and slide across a fracture surface, affecting the buildings that are on them or at their feet. Slope slides, if they are close to rivers, can cause damming, which, when transferred by the mass of water, can cause flooding downstream.

Channel morphology and drainage pattern

The density, shape and orientation of the drainage pattern, as well as the slopes, configuration and dimensions of the channels are determining factors of the flow regime, erosion and sedimentation rates. Thus, for example, small basins with steep slopes produce rapid flows through or rather sinuous channels. At the other extreme, in large basins with gentle slopes, slow flows occur through sinuous channels. A change in channel slope can induce erosion or sedimentation upstream or downstream of the structure causing the change. Depending on the magnitude of the change produced, significant impacts can be generated several kilometers upstream or downstream of the site where the change occurs.

Active faults

The analysis of tectonic features allows defining or determining the faults and seismic risk situations that characterize the areas of interest.

La consideración de los aspectos relativos a la biota es de particular importancia en el diseño de los proyectos de manejo integrado de cuencas. La desaparición de bosques naturales lleva aparejada una disminución de la biodiversidad que no solo afecta las áreas intervenidas sino también recursos y valores de zonas insospechadamente remotas. En este sentido, es importante recordar que muchas especies de aves migran estacionalmente desde y hacia lugares remotos. La desaparición de algunas de sus áreas de recepción contribuirá a su vez a la extinción de la especie y, consecuentemente, a la generación de desbalances ecológicos en ambas áreas.

Plant and animal species

Knowledge of the composition of the flora and fauna existing in the uninterrupted areas of the basin should be one of the focuses of attention of the integrated basin management projects. Likewise, how current trends in land use affect these characteristics must be.

Integrated watershed management projects can have conflicting effects, depending on the initiatives contemplated in them. For example, the success in improving agricultural yields resulting from a soil conservation program could generate tendencies towards the expansion of agricultural frontiers, if additional measures are not taken to preserve the unintervened areas surrounding the sites or areas of intervention.

Likewise, the improvement of service infrastructure in natural parks could have a detrimental final effect, if educational and control measures are not taken to avoid negative impacts.

Rare, endemic or endangered species

The existence of rare, endemic or endangered species is an aspect of fundamental importance. In the case of animal species, it is important to know their behavior and migratory patterns. This information will allow us to have a more precise idea of ​​the impact of the actions and measures contained in the project on these species.

animal migration

The term "animal migration" refers to the temporal and spatial patterns of mobilization of certain animal species. These patterns constitute strategies aimed at ensuring the reproduction of the species and its very existence.

The project works may interfere with the migratory routes of animals and fish, or eliminate resting spaces for birds. The consideration of these migratory routes is a condition for the preservation of these species.

Biodiversity

The term biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the variability of living organisms and habitats, as well as the ecological complexes of which they are part. The term biodiversity includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems.

Projects can affect biodiversity in various ways; either protecting it through the creation of protected areas, or reducing it by introducing a few highly productive species that will displace native species. The fauna deserves equal consideration, whose existence can contradict the development of some human activities.

Los proyectos de manejo integrado de cuencas tienen como objetivo el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida de los beneficiarios directos e indirectos de los mismos. En este sentido, la evaluación de impactos ambientales debe incluir también, la consideración de algunas variables socioeconómicas fundamentales, como las que a continuación se mencionan.

Population structure and size

The term "population structure" refers to the distribution of the population by age and gender, income levels, and types of occupation. The term “population size” refers to the number of inhabitants in a certain locality, region or country. Both variables can undergo important modifications as a result of the execution of an integrated basin management project. Particularly, the generation of investment employment opportunities in certain sectors of the basin can cause increases in the economically active population. Eventually, this phenomenon could lead to an unwanted advance of agricultural frontiers in the project areas.

Income and employment levels

Both variables are widely analyzed through the evaluation of the financial and socioeconomic feasibility of the projects. In principle, integrated watershed management projects should contribute to increasing or, at least, maintaining the country's income and employment levels.

Migration

The term migration refers to the movement of human population to and from the basin. Migration may or may not be considered favorable depending on the socioeconomic and physical-biotic conditions of the area. The ethnic and religious characteristics of the migratory group also influence the judgment made about these population movements. Migratory movements affect the structure and size of the population in a given sector.

Population resettlements

Sometimes the direct actions of the projects require the resettlement of people. When this happens, the necessary provisions to provide adequate areas for resettlement must be taken into account, as well as measures to promote employment or investment opportunities for the resettled population. Population resettlement is a very delicate measure whose implementation must be carefully designed in order to avoid the worsening of the living conditions of the resettled population or the degradation of environmental quality in the areas selected for population resettlement.

Land use changes

1. • It is the process through which, due to pressures due to various factors, a change is produced in human activities in a certain area.

2. • Total set of provisions, activities and contributions of which a certain type of land cover is the object (set of human actions).

3. • Social and economic purposes to which land management responds (for example, grazing, wood extraction, conservation).

Women's role

The role of women is an aspect whose consideration is key in every development project and, of course, also in integrated watershed management projects. Various reasons justify particular attention to this aspect. Firstly, there is the need to broaden the social base for the distribution of benefits, so that the latter include women and other members of the family group in fair proportion. Secondly, there is the convenience and need to mobilize the greatest amount of resources available in the basin and, in this sense, women have been playing a key role as producer and head of family until now not fully recognized in practice.

In this last sense, it is worth mentioning the growing importance of women's participation in the generation of goods and services aimed at the family group. Considering this aspect in the project design will help to recognize and enhance its contribution to development and, consequently, to reconsider the project's benefit distribution schemes.

Regional effects

The term "regional effects" is used to refer to the impacts of an integrated watershed management project at the level of the region where the watershed is located. The regional effects of the project must be identified and analyzed. For example, the protection of certain urban or agricultural areas can stimulate investment in those areas, or affect local markets due to overproduction.

Participation of residents

The participation of beneficiaries is decisive in the success or failure of integrated watershed management projects. The absence of participation translates into a slow rate of adoption of the practices recommended by the project or in the incomprehension and lack of enthusiasm of the beneficiaries in its execution.

The necessary consultations with potential beneficiaries or interested parties (stakeholders) during the preparation phase of the project and the appropriate design of their participation in the execution of important components of the project - such as soil conservation - are aspects to which due attention must be paid.

Public health

The following aspects should be considered for both the local population, temporary migratory settlers and resettlements:

• - Water and sewage. Adequate control over water for human consumption and liquid and solid waste.

• - Room. Type and condition of housing.

• - Health services. Types of services and their quality.

• - Nutrition. Nutritional status of the population.

• - Risks of endemic or infectious diseases (especially in the case of population resettlement).

• - Other risks due to contaminants or accidents due to lack of structures or machinery.

The construction of certain infrastructures, such as, for example, roads into sparsely populated areas, can affect indigenous population groups, unprotected against certain types of diseases.

Urban areas and infrastructure

Urban areas and infrastructure can be affected by the direct and indirect actions of a project. For ex. Areas neighboring large metropolises may be subject to urbanization pressures, leading to the occupation of land suitable for agriculture with urban infrastructure. Flood protection will protect infrastructure. Soil management actions reduce sediment by protecting reservoirs from sedimentation. Sediment control upstream can cause erosion downstream, damaging infrastructure such as water intakes and bridges, altering the environment, causing a strong visual impact and alteration of the natural conditions of the land, as well as significant levels of pollution:

• - Lumica.

• - Acoustics.

• - Atmospheric.

Land tenure

The land tenure regime affects and may be affected by the project. In general, when land tenure is irregular, beneficiaries tend to reject the adoption of technically complex and expensive technologies or whose benefits are achieved in the long term. On the other hand, some actions contemplated in integrated watershed management projects, such as the creation of protected areas, can cause social conflicts.

• - Environmental impact assessment.

• - Category:Environmental impact.

• - System dynamics.

• - Glossary of environmental terms.

El término calidad del agua es relativo, referido a la composición del agua en la medida en que esta es afectada por la concentración de sustancias producidas por procesos naturales y actividades humanas. Como tal, es un término neutral que no puede ser clasificado como bueno o malo, sin hacer referencia al uso para el cual el agua es destinada. De acuerdo con lo anterior, tanto los criterios como los estándares y objetivos de calidad de agua variarán dependiendo de sí se trata de agua para consumo humano, para uso agrícola o industrial, para recreación, para mantener la calidad ambiental, etc. Para efectos de estos lineamientos se consideran las variables que se enumeran a continuación.

Solids concentration

The term "solids concentration") refers to the proportion of solids - minerals - in suspension in a given body of water. The treatment to make it drinkable requires infrastructure and, eventually, high operating costs. The size of the particles as well as their chemical and physical characteristics determine the type of impact and the possible forms of treatment. A very high concentration of solids in water also produces unpleasant colors and flavors. The main cause for an increase in the concentration of suspended solids is generally the increase in erosion generated by human activities.

Toxic substances

This name includes a set of substances such as industrial waste, heavy metals and agrochemicals whose consumption can generate toxicity reactions - mild or severe - in the human and animal population settled in the basin. The sources of toxic substances are industrial, mining and agricultural activities.

Organic compounds, nutrients and pathogens

The presence in high concentrations of organic compounds such as feces, blood and animal remains (from slaughterhouses and other plants that benefit animals), generate high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, can lead to the eutrophication of water bodies. On the other hand, the presence of pathogenic organisms, such as fecal coliforms and other bacterial and viral forms, constitute the source of transmission of diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and different types of enteritis.

Los suelos constituyen el cuerpo natural, soporte de la vegetación y de numerosas formas de vida animal, a través del cual se completa parte de la fase terrestre del ciclo hidrológico. Asimismo, son el recurso natural y la base espacial a partir de la cual se realiza una gran variedad de desarrollos y actividades humanas, por ejemplo la agricultura, la minería y desarrollos urbanísticos y viales.

La importancia de ambas funciones justifica la atención prestada a los suelos durante el proceso de diseño del proyecto y al momento de analizar los potenciales impactos ambientales del mismo.

Soil properties

Soil is a dynamic system made up of four basic components, mineral matter, organic matter (which includes organic matter in different degrees of decomposition and microorganisms), water and gases in proportions such that they allow the development of higher plants.

Soils differ from each other due to their physical, chemical and biological properties. The most important physical properties are its texture, apparent density and structure. The physical properties of the soil define the infiltration and storage capacity of water and contribute to defining its erodibility and capacity for use.

The most important chemical properties are the cation exchange capacity, the degree of acidity or alkalinity and the concentration of salts in the profile. The chemical properties of soils are, above all, associated with their ability to be used for agricultural purposes.

Finally, biological properties are associated with the presence of organic matter and animal life forms, such as microorganisms, worms and insects. They contribute to defining its usability and erodibility.

Changes in these properties generated by any project intervention can cause negative impacts in situ or downstream of the intervention site. For example, the intensive use of agricultural machinery can lead to the loss of soil structure (due to compaction) and, consequently, a reduction in its infiltration capacity. This, in turn, can contribute to increasing surface runoff and causing linear erosion processes (gullies, ditches or ditches).

Soil pollution

It refers to the presence of remains of chemical substances from anthropogenic activities such as, for example, agrochemicals and/or waste.

Land use capacity

The term "land use capacity" refers to the potential of a soil as a resource to develop different crops and forms of agriculture. For its determination, the properties of the soil, the topographic characteristics of the terrain, the climate, the requirements of the crop and one or more technological reference levels are taken into consideration and related.

Integrated watershed management projects can introduce changes in soil use capacity, for example, by introducing soil conservation practices, constructing flood control works, or improving drainage conditions. On the other hand, initiatives such as the execution of urban developments in areas of high agricultural potential, or agricultural developments in forestry-oriented areas will contribute to reducing the potential of these resources.

Sedimentation

The transport and deposition of sediments is a natural process that can be modified - accelerated or decelerated - by the effect of human interventions. This process is determined by geological, hydrological and socioeconomic factors. Among the former, the type of formation and structural conditions at the site of origin of the sediments predominate; As for the latter, the characteristics of the rainfall, the runoff regime, the formation of the drainage network and the geometry of the channel predominate. Regarding socioeconomic aspects, the decisions and initiatives regarding the use of land and resources by various social actors in the basin stand out.

The impacts of sediment transport and deposition are varied. These include the destruction of infrastructure works, damage to crops and flooding. Depending on the chemical characteristics of the sediments, these processes could contribute to the enrichment of soils in the areas where depositions are made.

Relief, topography and landscape

The term relief refers to the physiographic configuration of a basin or sectors within it. Topography represents the irregularities of the terrain. In some cases, the expression micro-relief is used to refer to the topographic characteristics of an area. Finally, landscape is the term used to refer to the synthesis of elements that define the external configuration of a geographical space: relief, topography, vegetation, bodies of water, presence of animal species and the manifestations of human activity.

These natural characteristics can be affected by integrated watershed management projects. Indeed, torrent and flood control works can definitively alter the topographical configuration of a place and, therefore, the characteristics of the landscape. For example, longitudinal dikes for flood control modify the topography of the site and the original views of the area; waterfalls and rapids may disappear as a result of torrent control works. Archaeological or natural monuments can be permanently submerged due to the construction of dams to store water.

Surface erosion

Soil loss is the consequence of erosive processes. These can be natural or accelerated by external causes, among which anthropic action stands out (process of degradation of the relief and subsoil due to human action). Soil erosion is a function of the erosivity of rainfall, or the speed and direction of winds, the erodibility of soils, the length and gradient of the slope, the degree and type of vegetation cover and the type and level of intensity of intervention on the soils.

Agricultural activity and the construction of road infrastructure") in areas with steep slopes, together with highly erosive rainfall and erodible soils, are two of the most frequent causes of accelerated erosion due to anthropogenic action.

Slope instability

It is the process by which natural slopes or slopes built by anthropogenic activities lose stability and slide across a fracture surface, affecting the buildings that are on them or at their feet. Slope slides, if they are close to rivers, can cause damming, which, when transferred by the mass of water, can cause flooding downstream.

Channel morphology and drainage pattern

The density, shape and orientation of the drainage pattern, as well as the slopes, configuration and dimensions of the channels are determining factors of the flow regime, erosion and sedimentation rates. Thus, for example, small basins with steep slopes produce rapid flows through or rather sinuous channels. At the other extreme, in large basins with gentle slopes, slow flows occur through sinuous channels. A change in channel slope can induce erosion or sedimentation upstream or downstream of the structure causing the change. Depending on the magnitude of the change produced, significant impacts can be generated several kilometers upstream or downstream of the site where the change occurs.

Active faults

The analysis of tectonic features allows defining or determining the faults and seismic risk situations that characterize the areas of interest.

La consideración de los aspectos relativos a la biota es de particular importancia en el diseño de los proyectos de manejo integrado de cuencas. La desaparición de bosques naturales lleva aparejada una disminución de la biodiversidad que no solo afecta las áreas intervenidas sino también recursos y valores de zonas insospechadamente remotas. En este sentido, es importante recordar que muchas especies de aves migran estacionalmente desde y hacia lugares remotos. La desaparición de algunas de sus áreas de recepción contribuirá a su vez a la extinción de la especie y, consecuentemente, a la generación de desbalances ecológicos en ambas áreas.

Plant and animal species

Knowledge of the composition of the flora and fauna existing in the uninterrupted areas of the basin should be one of the focuses of attention of the integrated basin management projects. Likewise, how current trends in land use affect these characteristics must be.

Integrated watershed management projects can have conflicting effects, depending on the initiatives contemplated in them. For example, the success in improving agricultural yields resulting from a soil conservation program could generate tendencies towards the expansion of agricultural frontiers, if additional measures are not taken to preserve the unintervened areas surrounding the sites or areas of intervention.

Likewise, the improvement of service infrastructure in natural parks could have a detrimental final effect, if educational and control measures are not taken to avoid negative impacts.

Rare, endemic or endangered species

The existence of rare, endemic or endangered species is an aspect of fundamental importance. In the case of animal species, it is important to know their behavior and migratory patterns. This information will allow us to have a more precise idea of ​​the impact of the actions and measures contained in the project on these species.

animal migration

The term "animal migration" refers to the temporal and spatial patterns of mobilization of certain animal species. These patterns constitute strategies aimed at ensuring the reproduction of the species and its very existence.

The project works may interfere with the migratory routes of animals and fish, or eliminate resting spaces for birds. The consideration of these migratory routes is a condition for the preservation of these species.

Biodiversity

The term biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the variability of living organisms and habitats, as well as the ecological complexes of which they are part. The term biodiversity includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems.

Projects can affect biodiversity in various ways; either protecting it through the creation of protected areas, or reducing it by introducing a few highly productive species that will displace native species. The fauna deserves equal consideration, whose existence can contradict the development of some human activities.

Los proyectos de manejo integrado de cuencas tienen como objetivo el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida de los beneficiarios directos e indirectos de los mismos. En este sentido, la evaluación de impactos ambientales debe incluir también, la consideración de algunas variables socioeconómicas fundamentales, como las que a continuación se mencionan.

Population structure and size

The term "population structure" refers to the distribution of the population by age and gender, income levels, and types of occupation. The term “population size” refers to the number of inhabitants in a certain locality, region or country. Both variables can undergo important modifications as a result of the execution of an integrated basin management project. Particularly, the generation of investment employment opportunities in certain sectors of the basin can cause increases in the economically active population. Eventually, this phenomenon could lead to an unwanted advance of agricultural frontiers in the project areas.

Income and employment levels

Both variables are widely analyzed through the evaluation of the financial and socioeconomic feasibility of the projects. In principle, integrated watershed management projects should contribute to increasing or, at least, maintaining the country's income and employment levels.

Migration

The term migration refers to the movement of human population to and from the basin. Migration may or may not be considered favorable depending on the socioeconomic and physical-biotic conditions of the area. The ethnic and religious characteristics of the migratory group also influence the judgment made about these population movements. Migratory movements affect the structure and size of the population in a given sector.

Population resettlements

Sometimes the direct actions of the projects require the resettlement of people. When this happens, the necessary provisions to provide adequate areas for resettlement must be taken into account, as well as measures to promote employment or investment opportunities for the resettled population. Population resettlement is a very delicate measure whose implementation must be carefully designed in order to avoid the worsening of the living conditions of the resettled population or the degradation of environmental quality in the areas selected for population resettlement.

Land use changes

1. • It is the process through which, due to pressures due to various factors, a change is produced in human activities in a certain area.

2. • Total set of provisions, activities and contributions of which a certain type of land cover is the object (set of human actions).

3. • Social and economic purposes to which land management responds (for example, grazing, wood extraction, conservation).

Women's role

The role of women is an aspect whose consideration is key in every development project and, of course, also in integrated watershed management projects. Various reasons justify particular attention to this aspect. Firstly, there is the need to broaden the social base for the distribution of benefits, so that the latter include women and other members of the family group in fair proportion. Secondly, there is the convenience and need to mobilize the greatest amount of resources available in the basin and, in this sense, women have been playing a key role as producer and head of family until now not fully recognized in practice.

In this last sense, it is worth mentioning the growing importance of women's participation in the generation of goods and services aimed at the family group. Considering this aspect in the project design will help to recognize and enhance its contribution to development and, consequently, to reconsider the project's benefit distribution schemes.

Regional effects

The term "regional effects" is used to refer to the impacts of an integrated watershed management project at the level of the region where the watershed is located. The regional effects of the project must be identified and analyzed. For example, the protection of certain urban or agricultural areas can stimulate investment in those areas, or affect local markets due to overproduction.

Participation of residents

The participation of beneficiaries is decisive in the success or failure of integrated watershed management projects. The absence of participation translates into a slow rate of adoption of the practices recommended by the project or in the incomprehension and lack of enthusiasm of the beneficiaries in its execution.

The necessary consultations with potential beneficiaries or interested parties (stakeholders) during the preparation phase of the project and the appropriate design of their participation in the execution of important components of the project - such as soil conservation - are aspects to which due attention must be paid.

Public health

The following aspects should be considered for both the local population, temporary migratory settlers and resettlements:

• - Water and sewage. Adequate control over water for human consumption and liquid and solid waste.

• - Room. Type and condition of housing.

• - Health services. Types of services and their quality.

• - Nutrition. Nutritional status of the population.

• - Risks of endemic or infectious diseases (especially in the case of population resettlement).

• - Other risks due to contaminants or accidents due to lack of structures or machinery.

The construction of certain infrastructures, such as, for example, roads into sparsely populated areas, can affect indigenous population groups, unprotected against certain types of diseases.

Urban areas and infrastructure

Urban areas and infrastructure can be affected by the direct and indirect actions of a project. For ex. Areas neighboring large metropolises may be subject to urbanization pressures, leading to the occupation of land suitable for agriculture with urban infrastructure. Flood protection will protect infrastructure. Soil management actions reduce sediment by protecting reservoirs from sedimentation. Sediment control upstream can cause erosion downstream, damaging infrastructure such as water intakes and bridges, altering the environment, causing a strong visual impact and alteration of the natural conditions of the land, as well as significant levels of pollution:

• - Lumica.

• - Acoustics.

• - Atmospheric.

Land tenure

The land tenure regime affects and may be affected by the project. In general, when land tenure is irregular, beneficiaries tend to reject the adoption of technically complex and expensive technologies or whose benefits are achieved in the long term. On the other hand, some actions contemplated in integrated watershed management projects, such as the creation of protected areas, can cause social conflicts.

• - Environmental impact assessment.

• - Category:Environmental impact.

• - System dynamics.

• - Glossary of environmental terms.