Long-Term Ecohydrological Observatory of the Tena River Basin, Ecuadorian Amazon.

The Tena River Basin faces significant challenges due to climate change and human activities, such as deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization. These challenges impact water resources and ecosystem services in the basin, harming local communities and biodiversity. Additionally, there is a lack of long-term ecohydrological data in the region, which hinders the development of effective management strategies for the sustainable use of water resources and ecosystem services. This project aims to establish a long-term ecohydrological observatory in the Tena River Basin, at the foothills of the Eastern Andes, Ecuadorian Amazon. The observatory will collect meteorological, hydrological, and ecological data to understand the interactions between water, vegetation, and people in the region, and to inform management decisions to protect water resources and ecosystem services in the basin. The project will collaborate with local communities and stakeholders to co-design and implement management strategies that promote the sustainable use of water resources and ecosystem services in the basin. The observatory will also strengthen the concept of a "living laboratory," where researchers will study ecohydrological processes in the region and develop innovative solutions for sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity preservation.

Collect long-term meteorological and hydrological data at multiple elevations and land-use types in the Tena River Basin, using meteorological stations, hydrological instruments, rain gauges, flow meters, and additional environmental sensors.
Study the impacts of land-use change on water resources and ecosystem services in the Tena River Basin, using remote sensing data, GIS analysis, and field measurements of vegetation, soil, and water quality.
Quantify water, carbon, and nutrient fluxes in the Tena River Basin, through stable isotopes, ion chromatography, total organic carbon analysis, and other techniques.
Engage with local communities and stakeholders in the Tena River Basin and use participatory methods to co-design and implement management strategies that promote the sustainable use of water resources and ecosystem services in the basin.

1. Collect long-term meteorological and hydrological data across various elevations and land-use types in the Tena River basin, using weather and hydrological stations, rain gauges, flow meters, and additional environmental sensors.
2. Study the impacts of land-use change on water resources and ecosystem services in the Tena River basin, using remote sensing data, GIS analysis, and field measurements of vegetation, soil, and water quality.
3. Quantify water, carbon, and nutrient fluxes in the Tena River basin using stable isotopes, ion chromatography, total organic carbon analysis, and other techniques.
4. Engage with local communities and stakeholders in the Tena River basin and use participatory methods to co-design and implement management strategies that promote the sustainable use of water resources and ecosystem services within the basin.