Resumen

WILLIAM, A et al. Geo-environments of the northwest orinoco delta, venezuela. INCI [online]. 2002, vol.27, n.10, pp.521-528. ISSN 0378-1844.

The Orinoco Delta is a largely undeveloped complex of tropical wetlands and shallow aquatic ecosystems within the coastal plain of eastern Venezuela. It is a dynamic and complex system that is vulnerable to human activities. This article summarizes results of geo-environmental mapping in the northwestern delta. Geo-environments are land- and water-resource units that are defined by the physical, chemical, hydrological, and biological properties and processes that establish, maintain, and modify them. More than 20 geo-environments were defined and delineated in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format through integrated remote sensing, statistical, and field analyses. Map units were grouped into five major geomorphic/ecologic systems: 1) marine-influenced coast, 2) marine-influenced distributary-channel and island, 3) fluvial/marine transitional, 4) distributary-channel, and 5) interdistributary basin. The most extensive are the interdistributary basins and distributary-channel systems, which comprise 44 % and 15 % of the map area, respectively. Although the Orinoco Delta is largely undeveloped, human activity in the northwestern delta, especially construction of the Volcán dam, has substantially altered geo-environments in this region. The defined distribution and characteristics of the geo-environments provide a basis for designing strategic plans for prudent and sustained development of this portion of the Orinoco Delta ecosystem complex

Palabras clave : Delta Ecosystems ; Distributary Channel ; Geo-environments ; Interdistributary Basins ; NW Orinoco Delta ; Venezuela .