Efecto de las condiciones hidroclimáticas en la organización de los caudales: un análisis comparativo entre las cuencas del río Loa y Biobío a través del escalamiento hidrológico (1986 – 2016).
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Date
2026
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Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar el efecto de las condiciones hidroclimáticas, morfométricas y de uso del suelo en la organización de los caudales de las cuencas de los ríos Loa y Biobío (1986–2016) mediante leyes de escalación hídrica. Metodológicamente, se adoptó un enfoque cuantitativo que integró la caracterización morfométrica, el análisis de cambios de uso y cobertura del suelo, y la evaluación de la variabilidad temporal del caudal. Para analizar la organización espacial de los caudales, se estimó el exponente de escalación “b” mediante regresión lineal entre los logaritmos del caudal promedio anual y el área de drenaje, utilizando datos de estaciones fluviométricas de la Dirección General de Aguas (DGA).Los resultados evidencian un contraste estructural en la organización de los caudales, explicado por las diferencias hidroclimáticas y antrópicas. Mientras el río Biobío exhibe un exponente de escalación estable y cercano a la unidad (b ≈ 1), consistente con la teoría clásica en ambientes húmedos; el río Loa presenta un exponente negativo y altamente fluctuante (b < 0). Esto evidencia un comportamiento de río perdedor, donde el caudal disminuye aguas abajo a medida que aumenta el área de drenaje, debido a pérdidas por infiltración, evaporación y una alta demanda hídrica en un contexto hiperárido. Se concluye que la organización de los caudales está influenciada significativamente por el régimen hidroclimático, validando que las leyes de escalación no son invariantes y reflejan las condiciones físicas y antrópicas del territorio.
The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of hydroclimatic, morphometric, and land use and land cover conditions on the spatial organization of streamflow in the Loa and Biobío river basins (1986–2016) using hydrological scaling laws. The methodology adopted a quantitative approach integrating morphometric characterization, analysis of land use and land cover changes, and the evaluation of temporal streamflow variability. To analyze the spatial organization of discharge, the scaling exponent (b) was estimated using linear regression between the logarithms of the mean annual streamflow and the drainage area, utilizing data from hydrometric stations of the General Directorate of Water (DGA). The results reveal a structural contrast in streamflow organization, driven by hydroclimatic and anthropogenic differences. While the Biobío River exhibits a stable scaling exponent close to unity (b ≈ 1), consistent with classical theory in humid environments, the Loa River presents a negative and highly fluctuating exponent (b < 0). This indicates a "losing river" behavior, where discharge decreases downstream as the drainage area increases, due to transmission losses, evaporation, and high water demand in a hyperarid context. It is concluded that the spatial organization of streamflow is significantly influenced by the hydroclimatic regime, confirming that scaling laws are not invariant and reflect the physical and anthropogenic conditions of the territory.
The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of hydroclimatic, morphometric, and land use and land cover conditions on the spatial organization of streamflow in the Loa and Biobío river basins (1986–2016) using hydrological scaling laws. The methodology adopted a quantitative approach integrating morphometric characterization, analysis of land use and land cover changes, and the evaluation of temporal streamflow variability. To analyze the spatial organization of discharge, the scaling exponent (b) was estimated using linear regression between the logarithms of the mean annual streamflow and the drainage area, utilizing data from hydrometric stations of the General Directorate of Water (DGA). The results reveal a structural contrast in streamflow organization, driven by hydroclimatic and anthropogenic differences. While the Biobío River exhibits a stable scaling exponent close to unity (b ≈ 1), consistent with classical theory in humid environments, the Loa River presents a negative and highly fluctuating exponent (b < 0). This indicates a "losing river" behavior, where discharge decreases downstream as the drainage area increases, due to transmission losses, evaporation, and high water demand in a hyperarid context. It is concluded that the spatial organization of streamflow is significantly influenced by the hydroclimatic regime, confirming that scaling laws are not invariant and reflect the physical and anthropogenic conditions of the territory.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Geógrafo/a.
Keywords
Cuencas hidrográficas, Hidrología, Caudales