To learn more about how this effort is progressing, tools and results have been generated that allow better decisions to be made to restore and protect soils and water sources in the region.

Here we share with you the most relevant advances:

1. Map of land use and vegetation cover.

A map of seven land use classes (such as native vegetation, grasslands and exposed areas) was created from Sentinel-2 satellite images with a resolution of 10 meters. This resource allows us to model water flows and better understand the current vegetation in the watershed.

2. Estimated monthly evapotranspiration (EMET: 2006-2021).

For 16 years, actual water use by vegetation was estimated using remote sensing techniques. These data help to monitor how soil moisture changes without the need for expensive field instruments.

3. Watersheds compared: treatment vs. control.

Five small watersheds (some restored, some not) were analyzed to measure differences in parameters such as vegetation, water and soil, providing direct evidence of the impact of ecological restoration.

4. Hydrological models (SWAT).

The SWAT model was applied to the territory to simulate different rainfall scenarios. Surface runoff, soil erosion, water recharge and evapotranspiration values were calculated under variable conditions.

This helps us to better understand how our ecosystems function and what they need to stay healthy. Thanks to satellite images, models and comparisons between different areas, better decisions can be made to care for the land, control erosion and protect our water sources, creating solutions that benefit everyone.

Want to learn more? Here is access to all the data and resources published by the U.S. Geological Survey:

 Explore the complete project here.