Biological Evaluation of Water Quality with the BMWP Index in a Section of the Tlapaneco River Affected by Two Rural Communities in the Guerrero Mountains, Mexico

1. Introduction

Lotic ecosystems and other water resources provide living beings and the human population with different ecosystem services [1,2] . These services are classified into four categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting [3] . Moreover, in relation to their biological value, they are distinguished by harboring a rich and diverse biota [4] . However, these water bodies are subjected to multiple anthropogenic pressures, which impact these aquatic ecosystems [2,5] . Agricultural intensification and other anthropogenic activities drive transformations in rural landscapes, such as changes in land use for their own activities and the establishment of human settlements [6,7] , which affect freshwater ecosystems through the discharge of wastewater, due to the lack of drainage and sewage systems and the lack of treatment of these discharges [8] ; In developing countries, this is limited; thus, 80% of discharges are discharged into aquatic ecosystems without treatment [9], so that freshwater pollution is recorded at more than 70% worldwide [10] . It is estimated that by 2050 water demand will increase by 80%, affecting 86% of the population [11,12], so that the annual water availability will be reduced in the last 55 years [13]; likewise, a water deficit is estimated in 2030, with a projected demand of 25% [12] . As part of the socio-environmental characterization of a section of the Tlapaneco River, a tributary of the Balsas River (Water Region 18), an approach was made to the biological condition, seasonality (rainfall, dryness) and cumulative impacts of anthropogenic activity using aquatic macroinvertebrates. The studied stretch is influenced by two rural communities (Patlicha-Copanatoyac) in the mountains of the state of Guerrero, Mexico, a region considered as highly marginalized [14], where water quality is affected by anthropogenic activities, which is why it is necessary to assess water quality by means of instruments accessible to the inhabitants. The objective of this work was to determine water quality using the BMWP biotic index, to lay the foundations for future community monitoring for self-management of the water resource before local authorities, which will allow its conservation and the sustainability of ecosystem services.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Area of Study and selection of sampling sites

The study was carried out in the Montaña of Guerrero region, geospatially co-named as middle mountain, in the municipality of Copanatoyac, specifically in a section (length of 5,722.64 m) of the Tlapaneco river, which crosses the localities of Copanatoyac and Patlicha [15] . It belongs to hydrological region 18 of the Balsas, located in the Sierra Madre del Sur, with a surface area of 4,981.53 km2 [16] . It has a warm sub-humid climate with rainfall in summer, with precipitation between 700 and 1500 mm and low deciduous forest vegetation [17] .

The months with the lowest rainfall are from November to April, and the highest from May to October [18]. Nine collection stations were established, covering a section of the Tlapaneco river, from the exit of the locality of Patlicha, which corresponds to the upper upstream (SS1, SS2, SS3) until reaching the locality of Copanatoyac, which was considered the middle (SS4, SS5, SS6) and lower (SS7, SS8, SS9) downstream. The location of the stations followed the current flow, considering the multihabitat representativeness (Figure 1), in consideration of the inhabitants of the Copanatoyac locality, considering their perception of the different disturbance conditions of the river section (Table 1).

Crops areas located in permanent anthropic activity are located on the riverbanks, these correspond to irrigated and rainfed corn crops; irrigated crops are sown in January and harvested in May, rainfed crops are sown in June and harvested in October, however, in the remaining months other crops such as cilantro, radishes, papaloquelite, lucerne, garlic and purple onion are sown and harvested. In both seasons, watercress grows in the riparian zone and invades the water body. Garbage is also burned along the riverbanks.

2.2. Data Collection

2.2.1. Macroinvertebrate Sampling

The collections were carried out in April 2022 and 2023 (dry season) and in December 2022 (after the rainy season), the total number of macroinvertebrate collections was 27; the collection in the rainy season 2023 was not carried out because of hurricane Otis (category 5) on the accessibility of the sampling sites. The collections were in replicates of 3 per site (high, medium and low) and season, to cover the multihabitat condition within each sampling station, the duration of the sampling was 20 to 30 minutes per station. A 300 µm D-type collection net and a 500 µm Surber net were used for collection [19], these were carried out by the same operator, to ensure comparability between collection stations and samples. Macroinvertebrates were separated in situ and fixed in 70% ethanol, in the laboratory with a ZEISS ® stereo microscope, with a scope (20/60 X) were regrouped according to their external morphology, for subsequent taxonomic identification using specialized keys and pictographic guides [20,21].

2.2.2. Assessment of Water Quality with the BMWP-CR Index

The BMWP-CR biotic index was chosen, which presents scores (1 to 10) of tolerances assigned to the macroinvertebrate families according to the degree of sensitivity to organic pollution, as this proposal was considered adequate for the conditions of the study area. The total BMWP-CR score for each sampling station was obtained by adding the scores of the families present. Water quality was determined according to the values of this index: >120 (excellent quality waters), 101-120 (good quality waters, not polluted or not sensitively altered), 61-100 (fair quality waters, eutrophic, moderate pollution), 36-60 (poor quality waters, contaminated), 16-35 (poor quality waters, very polluted) and <15 (very poor quality waters, extremely polluted) [19].

2.2.3. Physicochemical Analysis

The following parameters were determined in situ: temperature (ᵒC), hydrogen potential (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS), using a HANNA ® portable potentiometer, model HI98129, dissolved oxygen (DO) was determined by volumetric oxidation-reduction titration (metric iodine method - NMX-AA-012-SCFI-2001).

2.3. Data Analysis

A two-factor analysis of variance was performed with the BMWP index and the variables temporality and zone to see if there is a relationship between the levels of these variables and the observed value of the BMWP.

For the study variables, the assumption of normality and homogeneity of variances was verified; however, the variables pH, EC, SDT and OD did not comply with the assumption of homogeneity of variances [22] ; even when the [23] transformation (1964) was used. Therefore, the non-parametric Kruskal-Walli’s test was used [24].

Principal component analysis (PCA) [25] was applied with the variables of temperature (°C), pH, EC, SDT and OD, to generate new linear combinations, principal components (PC) and thus identify the behavior of the macroinvertebrate families by seasonality, channel conditions and permanent anthropic activity in the 27 collections.

3. Results

3.1. Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity

From the 27 collections in the study area, 5810 organisms were identified, grouped in 9 orders, 33 families (only the 11 most abundant are presented in Table 2). The Hemiptera-Veliidae groups were the most abundant in the dry season 2022 SS2 (439 specimens) and SS4 (383) and, in 2023 SS2 (335) and SS4 (147); as well as, in the rainy season the abundance was higher in SS4 (231 specimens) and in SS3 (181), while Trichoptera-Hydropsychidae was the most abundant only in the rainy season in SS7 (170 specimens) and SS4 (105).

Figure 3 shows the water quality in the nine stations, which correspond to three zones (high, medium and low) of the evaluated section of the river during two seasons (dry and rainy). In relation to the BMWP-CR index, in the dry season 2022, in stations two, four and seven, the water quality was determined to be poor and in the remaining stations regular quality. On the other hand, in the 2022 rainy season, in stations two and seven, the water quality was regular and in the remaining stations poor. However, in the dry season 2023, in station seven, the water quality was determined to be very poor; in stations one, two and seven, while in the remaining stations the water quality was determined to be poor and regular.

Figure 4 shows the sampling sites in the river, in the upper, middle and lower part, in relation to the BMWP-CR index; in the dry season 2022, the water quality was determined to be fair, in the rainy season 2022, it was poor and in the dry season 2023, in the upper and lower part, it was determined to be poor and in the middle part, fair.

A two-factor analysis of variance was performed with the BMWP index and the variables seasonality and zone to identify the correlation between the levels of these variables and the observed value of the BMWP; the assumption of normality (A = 0.45813, p-value = 0.2439) and homogeneity of variances (B= 4.1232, df = 2, p-value = 0.1272) were fulfilled (Table 3). According to the results, there is no relationship of the observed values of the BMWP index with seasonality and study sites. That is, the BMWP values do not depend on the seasonality (dry and rainy), nor on the location of the collection sites (high, medium and low); this depends on the physical conditions of the channel and anthropic activity (Table 1).

3.2. Physicochemical Analysis

The comparison of means of the physicochemical variances in three collections during two periods is presented in Table 4. The temperature, in the three zones and in the two seasons fluctuated between 13 - 28.9 °C. In the dry season 2022, it was 20 - 28.9°C; on the other hand, in 2023, it was 18.7 - 26.5°C. However, in the rainy season, the lowest temperatures were recorded, 13 - 20.8°C. In temperature, there are mean differences in the three seasons.

In the three zones and in the two seasons, the pH fluctuated (7.7- 9.47). In dry 2022, it was 7.7- 8.6 and in 2023, 7.56- 9.47. However, in rainfall, it was 8.1- 8.7. In pH, there are no differences.

On the other hand, the electrical conductivity in the three zones and in the two seasons oscillated (144 - 747 µs/cm). In dry season 2022, (238 - 747 µs/cm). In dry season 2023, it was 207 - 614 µs/cm. However, in the rainy season, the lowest values were recorded between 144 - 320 µs/cm. Total dissolved solids ranged (73 - 374 mg/L) in the three zones and in the two seasons. In the dry 2022 season, it was 119 - 374 mg/L. On the other hand, in dry season 2023, it was 111 - 304 mg/L. However, in the rainy season, the lowest values were recorded (73 - 161 mg/L). While the averages of EC and SDT in rainy seasons are statistically different from those in dry seasons.

On the other hand, dissolved oxygen, in the three zones and in the two seasons ranged between 3.46 - 12.10 mg/L. In dry 2022, it was 3.75 - 9.52 mg/L. On the other hand, in dry 2023, it was 3.46 - 12.10. However, in rainy 2022, it was 7.12 - 8.44 mg/L (Table 5). For DO, there are differences in averages in the two dry seasons.

3.2.1. Principal Component Analysis of Physicochemical Variables

The principal component analysis explains 77.06 % of the total variability of the 27 water samples, therefore, according to [26] it can be concluded that the analysis is relevant. Consequently, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids contribute more to the first component, PC1; resulting in CP1 being an indicator of EC and SDT. In the second component, PC2, pH and DO contribute more, indicating that CP2 is an indicator of pH and DO (Table 4).

Figure 6 and Figure 7 shows the relationship of the macroinvertebrate families found in the 27 collections and water samples from the nine sampling sites under the first two linear combinations taking temporality, channel conditions and permanent anthropic activity.

In quadrant QII are located the families with the highest presence of high pH and DO levels, with eutrophication, rock bridges and scattered rocks in the channel (Figure 6), on the other hand, in Figure 7 are located the conditions of permanent anthropic activity with wastewater discharges, domestic use and recreation. The assemblages of the CHyLp, LsLCh, VHyE and CVL families were observed in this quadrant during the dry season 2023 with pH 9.5, 9.4, 9.1, 8.8 and OD 11.29, 12.10 ,10.88, 10.78 mg/L, respectively (Table 5).

Furthermore, in quadrants QII and QIII, families were concentrated in the rainy season, with low levels of temperature, pH, OD, EC and SDT; because the temperature ranged 13-20.8 °C; pH 8.1-8.7; OD 7.12-8. 44 mg/L; EC 144-320 µs/cm and SDT 73-161 mg/L (Table 5); these assemblages occurred in eutrophication channel conditions, rock bridge, scattered rocks, without crosswalk (Figure 6), as well as in conditions of permanent anthropic activity with wastewater discharges, domestic use, farms and recreation sites (Figure 7). Among these family assemblages, HyBS, BLpCh, HyBLp, HyBCh, VHyB, BVHy and VHyL were found. However, in quadrant QIV, the families present at low pH (8.4, 8.0) and DO (7.50, 6.51 mg/L) and high EC (747, 614 µs/cm) and SDT (374, 304 mg/L), with eutrophication conditions (Figure 6), as well as permanent anthropogenic activity with wastewater discharges, sand and gravel extraction (Figure 7), were found in quadrant QIV. The family assemblages that stood out are SVL and SBLp in the dry period 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Continuing in quadrant QIV, the families with the highest presence at the lowest pH (7.7, 7.6) and DO (3.75, 3.46 mg/L) levels were found in eutrophication channel conditions, crop and pedestrian influence with rocks (Figure 6), as well as conditions of permanent anthropic activity with wastewater discharges and cattle watering places (Figure 7). Among these assemblages, BCH and VHyLp were highlighted in dry 2022 and 2023, respectively. Likewise, in this same quadrant, the Corixidae family (C) was located at low DO levels (4.27 mg/L) in dry 2023 associated with conditions with eutrophication and the presence of cress crop invasion in the streambed in areas associated with cultivation and wastewater discharges (Table 1, Figure 6 and Figure 7).

4. Discussion

The implementation of affordable monitoring methods for the evaluation of water quality in lotic ecosystems, specifically in neotropical rivers in the mountain region of the State of Guerrero, Mexico is an important issue for the inhabitants of the localities in this and other regions. The Tlapaneco river provides ecosystem services for daily activities, from domestic and recreational use to irrigation of corn crops (the main economic activity). This river, like many others, both in urban and rural areas, is affected by wastewater discharges, waste and agricultural activities [27] .

It is important to mention that for this region, it represents a reference point for future studies in the evaluation of water quality through biomonitoring, with community participation in this activity.

4.1. Anthropic Influence and the Relationship of Macroinvertebrates are Present in the Study Area.

In general, in the dry and rainy seasons, the Hydropsychidae family was present in most of the stations, related to moderate to strong sewage discharges [28], this influence is permanently present in the study area in all the collection stations during the two seasons (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 7).

However, when the BMWP-CR biotic index indicated regular water quality, the macroinvertebrate family assemblages present were Leptohyphidae, Chironomidae, Hydropsychidae, Leptophlebiidae and Baetidae, which are tolerant to contamination [29], this coincides with what has been reported by other authors [28,30] in areas with wastewater discharges, similar to our study, however, the Simuliidae family (SS9) was present under eutrophication conditions in areas of wastewater discharges, associated with the collection sites of sand and gravel extraction and cultivation sites (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 3, Figure 6 and Figure 7), in addition to bedrock. In this regard [29], they point out that simulids are in shallow areas of slow to strong currents and use rocks as substrates to which they adhere, it should be noted that this group is found in degraded environments with sewage [31]. It is noteworthy that in our work, families that were also present were Veliidae, Corixidae, Hydrophilidae, Lestidae and Ephemerellidae of which we did not find records of other authors in this water quality.

With respect to regular water quality, the seasonality and conditions of the water body, are similar to those reported by [28,30,32], who pointed out that this quality was reflected in sites where there were wastewater discharges from urban areas and in small localities; also in our study area there were other conditions (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 3, Figure 6 and Figure 7).

On the other hand, other authors have reported the families Chironomidae and Leptophlebiidae, when the quality is poor, in sites with wastewater discharges [28]; similar in this study, however, the families Veliidae, Corixidae, Hydropsychidae, Leptohyphidae, Hydrophilidae, Baetidae and Simuliidae were present, which are tolerant to contamination [29,31], and indicators of poor quality based on the BMWP-CR [33]. This finding is similar to that reported by [28,32,34,35], who pointed out that this quality was reflected in sites with wastewater discharges from urban areas, anthropogenic activities, deforestation in riparian corridors, erosion, sedimentation, changes in channel morphology, use of agricultural pollutants, as well as in areas where corn is grown; the above reflects the general panorama prevailing in the study area (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 3, Figure 6 and Figure 7).

In our work the Chironomidae family was found in regular and poor quality, [35] points out that it is predominant in urban and agricultural areas. However, when water quality was very poor, for example, in areas different from our neotropical region, authors such as [36] found the families Chironomidae and Baetidae in channeled water bodies with concrete and without vegetation, however, in our study, However, in our study, only the family Corixidae (SS7) was present in dry season 2023, where the channel conditions presented wastewater discharges, eutrophication, watercress cultivation that covered the entire sampling site (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 3, Figure 6 and Figure 7) as well, with areas without riparian vegetation and clayey sediment; on the other hand, this family was located associated with roots; in this respect, the Corixidae family prefers areas of slow flowing, shallow lentic waters, with free surface and little submerged vegetation [37], a similar environment provided by the Corixidae family an environment like that provided by the cress crop. In addition, this family is tolerant to pollution and can live in environments with low oxygen [31], in SS7 it presented 4.27 mg/L of DO, therefore, we attribute that this family is cosmopolitan because it can be found in neotropical and Andean areas, which places it in a wide parameter of environmental conditions.

Our results have shown that in our study area, in the rainy season in the nine sampling sites, the most abundant orders were Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera and the families Hydropsychidae and Baetidae the most representative (Table 2, Figure 6 and Figure 7), in conditions along the channel: No crosswalk, eutrophication, scattered rocks, bridge with rocks and concrete debris (Table 1,Figure 6), in addition to sewage discharges, farms, domestic use, recreation areas, cattle watering troughs, and sand and gravel extraction (Table 1, Figure 7). Therefore, the presence of Hydropsychidae is attributed to their ability to build fine nets that allow them to build shelters fixed in the current and thus filter the water to obtain food; they are usually found in areas of moderate to strong currents, where they filter organic matter in suspension; they can also be crawling, grasping, swimming and burrowing larvae that use fragments of heavy materials to avoid being dragged by the current [38]. On the other hand, the family Baetidae have modified bodies for swimming, crawling and well-developed claws on the legs, which allow them to hold on in very fast currents [39]. These two families are tolerant to pollution [29,38,39].

4.2. Physicochemical Parameters

In the stretch of the Tlapaneco river in the dry season 2022, the average temperature was 25.86°C, with a range of 24.3 to 28.9°C (Table 5), these values are similar to those recorded in two rivers of the Ecuadorian Amazon with an average of 23.9°C (range of 23.5-24.5°C) and 25°C (range of 23-28°C) respectively [28,35]. In relation to the 2023 dry season in the Tlapaneco River, the average was 22.91°C, with oscillations between 18.7 and 26.5°C (Table 5). These values are like those reported in another river in Ecuador (average 21.7°C, range 19-24.2°C) [40], as well as that reported in the Cupatitzio River in Mexico (average 20.77°C). However, rainfall in the Tlapaneco River was 18.4 °C, ranging from 13.0 to 20.8°C (Table 5). These values are like those reported for the Cupatitzio River in Mexico (average 18.39°C) [6].

The average pH values in the Tlapaneco river reach (Table 5) in the 2022 and 2023 dry season were 8.37 and 8.62, respectively. These values are like those obtained in a river in Ecuador (average pH 8.2, range 8-8.5), where there is the presence of wastewater discharges [40], as well as in the Cupatitzio River in Mexico (average 7.36), where there is the presence of urban areas, livestock, rainfed and irrigated agriculture, and wastewater discharge [6]. However, the average pH in rainfall (Table 5) in the Tlapaneco river was 8.42. These values are like those recorded in the Ecuadorian coastal region (average 8.69), where there is a presence of crops and urban areas [41]. As well as in the Cupatitzio river in Mexico, in rainfall (average 7.64) [6]. In general, the pH in the studied section was around 8, like that found in natural areas [35]. According to NOM-001-SEMARNMAT-2021, the appropriate pH in Mexico is in a range of 6 to 9, in our case it was (7.7 to 8.6 and 7.6 to 9.5) in dry season 2022 and 2023, respectively; and in rainy season (8.1 to 8.7).

With respect to dissolved oxygen, when levels are below 4 to 5 mg/L, fish and macroinvertebrate reproduction is disproportionate[42]. The average DO in the dry 2022 reach of the Tlapaneco River was 6.47 mg/L (3.75 to 9.52 mg/L) (Table 5). This average was like that reported in Ecuador in the northern coastal region (determined value 6.00 mg/L), associated with agricultural lands [43]. In dry season 2023 in our study area the average was 8.51 mg/L (3.46 to 12.10 mg/L) (Table 5), values like those obtained in another river in Ecuador in the dry season (average 8.4, range 8.1-9.3 mg/L) [40], and averages (8.65 mg/L) have also been recorded in Mexico [6].

On the other hand, in relation to the minimum dissolved oxygen values reported in our study, 3.75 and 3.46 mg/L (SS8) in both dry seasons (Table 5) are like those recorded in the Ecuadorian Amazon (average 4.38 mg/L) [28] and in Mexico (average 3.54 mg/L) [5], in both of which there is the presence of wastewater discharges.

However, the maximum DO values recorded in our study 9.52 mg/L (SS7) and 12.10 mg/L (SS5) in dry season 2022 and 2023, respectively (Table 5) are similar to those reported in Colombia (average 8.9 mg/L) where there is good penetration of sunlight, riverbed with rapids and backwaters, presence of rocks and discharge of residual water from fish ponds [44], our study area is a recipient of wastewater from urban and agricultural areas. In this sense, these stations have good sunlight penetration (SS7 dry 2022) and presence of rapids, scattered rocks (SS5 dry 2023). As in Ecuador in the north coast region in the same season (determined value 9.08 mg/L) [43], the same condition that the stations in the study area have (Table 1). However, the average rainfall DO in the Tlapaneco River was 7.69 mg/L, (7.12 to 8.44 mg/L) (Table 5). These values are like those reported in Colombia (average 7.9 mg/L, range 7.8-8 mg/L).

The average electrical conductivity (EC) of the water in the Tlapaneco river reach in dry 2022 was 382 µs/cm (Table 5), this is like that reported in a stream in the Ecuadorian coastal region (average 361. 56 µs/cm), with the presence of crops, urban area, as well as the lithological composition of limestone, red sandstone and limonite, in which carbonates predominate [41], which exist in the study area due to the presence of sandstone-conglomerate and limestone [17].

In relation to the dry season 2023 in the Tlapaneco river, the average was 332.89 µs/cm (Table 5). This value is like those obtained in Mexico (determined value of 332 µs/cm), where in addition to the presence of wastewater discharges, there is also clay and silt substrate and an irrigation channel through which most of the water resources are captured for irrigation of agricultural areas (corn, beans, onions, squash) [5]. As well as in the northern coastal region of Ecuador (determined value 284 µs/cm) [43]. However, the average conductivity in rainfall in the Tlapaneco river was 223.78 µs/cm (Table 5); a value like that reported in the Ecuadorian coastal region (average 216.38 µs/cm) [41]. As well as in the Cupatitzio River in Mexico (average 218.10 µs/cm) [6].

The average total dissolved solids (TDS) in the study reach in dry 2022 and 2023 was 191 and 166.44 mg/L, respectively (Table 5). This average is like that reported in Mexico (determined value of 183.75 mg/L) [5]. However, in the Tlapaneco river, the average rainfall was 112.11 mg/L (Table 5), a value like that recorded in southern Brazil in the northern region of Paraná (average of 112 mg/L), where there is a large urban area, agriculture, pasture and little natural cover [45].

5. Conclusions

Water quality in the section of the Tlapaneco river influenced by wastewater discharges, agricultural activity and other anthropogenic activities was fair to very poor, which is attributed to the presence of watercress crops and watering places in the riparian areas of this lotic ecosystem.

Variations in water quality at the sampling points are mainly influenced by stream conditions. According to the macroinvertebrate assemblages, the quality was fair when Leptohyphidae, Chironomidae, Hydropsychidae, Leptophlebiidae, Baetidae, Simuliidae, Veliidae, Corixidae, Hydrophilidae, Lestidae and Ephemerellidae were present; poor, Chironomidae, Leptophlebiidae, Veliidae, Corixidae, Hydropsychidae, Leptohyphidae, Hydrophilidae, Baetidae and Simuliidae and very poor Corixidae.

Through a Biomonitoring Program with aquatic macroinvertebrates, it will allow early identification of changes in the water sources on which their livelihoods depend and the implementation of appropriate conservation measures. By establishing community groups to assess water quality using macroinvertebrates and monitor the pollutants that reach the ecosystem, they can implement restrictive and control measures to avoid continuous impacts to this water resource from urban discharges and agricultural activities, especially recreational and domestic use, as well as manage actions before regional and national environmental authorities, for the conservation of the resource; the importance of the macroinvertebrates in the Tlapaneco river basin is also important in order to increase knowledge of the Tlapaneco river through monitoring throughout the basin, including parameters such as BOD₅, fats and oils, and total coliforms, among others.

The importance of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the locality, together with their surprising appearance, behavior and biological significance, make these organisms very attractive for the development of environmental awareness and social innovation initiatives that promote the participation and empowerment of the indigenous and non-indigenous populations that inhabit the area, improving the quality of life of the communities. It is hoped that this research will serve as a diagnostic tool for local communities to evaluate the water resource with the inclusion of aquatic macroinvertebrates as key organisms for their conservation.

A key aspect for the sustainable success of community participation is the continuous engagement of and with local communities. Therefore, it is crucial to implement a robust community engagement plan that includes ongoing support and facilitation of participatory workshops. These spaces will allow for the co-creation of strategies that reflect the needs, expectations and concerns of traditional communities. Feedback from these meetings will be critical to tailoring initiatives to local realities. Such programs will improve their capacity to manage community education initiatives in an autonomous and effective manner that not only benefit communities economically, but also contribute to biodiversity conservation, promote cultural appreciation and encourage long-term community leadership.

Community participation is important for the conservation and maintenance of the ecosystem services provided by the water resource. In the current conditions, it was determined through biomonitoring that water quality is deteriorating, and the population is unaware of this and uses it for recreational purposes, domestic use, as well as agriculture.