The UNESCO-sponsored ecohydrology demonstration sites function as natural spaces designed for water purification and nutrient reduction, promoting sustainable management based on both technical and ancestral ecological processes. The unique characteristics of these sites have attracted the interest of visitors, researchers, and students interested in ecotourism, environmental education, and conservation. Assessing tourism carrying capacity plays a key role in ensuring the ecological, social, and cultural sustainability of such sites. This study aims to determine the tourist carrying capacity of the Manglaralto River-Aquifer System, identifying interactions between visitors and water resources using analytical tools, to promote sustainable and responsible management of the water resources. The methodology involved applying a cause-and-efect matrix, which allowed for the visualisation of six negative components, with magnitudes ranging from -3.5 to -9, that afect the interaction between environmental quality and tourism performance. This assessment allowed for the definition of management strategies, such as reforestation, signage, and community participation. The approach of these measures integrates ecohydrological practices as an educational tourism element, promoting environmental awareness and positioning Manglaralto as a replicable model for marine coastal systems sensitive to anthropogenic activity.
For decades, people have taken advantage of places with singular natural landscapes to engage in
tourism, causing significant modifications to the ecosystem. The development of tourism is usually
supported using land for the construction of infrastructure, the creation of regulations related to
overaccommodation and construction, and the promotion of historical, cultural, and natural attractions
[
One way to mitigate visitor damage in tourist areas is through carrying capacity, a definition first
introduced in 1921 [
In recent years, the need to preserve coastal tourism sites has led to tourism development plans
being adjusted to include broader environmental and sociocultural concerns [
The concept of ecohydrology is represented by the approach to the restoration and sustainability
of water resources, serving as an additional tool to control the ecological degradation of water and
surface processes [
Coastal ecohydrology focuses on the restoration of the carrying capacity of estuarine and coastal
areas, allowing the concept of management, harmonisation, and solutions to problems in basins [
The province of Santa Elena (SEP) is a semi-arid area, whose freshwater distribution resources are
diferentiated according to geographical location and resources. For example, the southern zone of
the SEP is based on the Chongo-Colonche and Azúcar reservoirs of the Daule-Guayas River transfer
and the administration of the public company [
The Manglaralto River-Aquifer System is a project declared as an EDS in March 2025, which stands
out for the influence of the "tape" (technical-artisanal dam) in the biota-hydrology processes of the
Manglaralto River sub-basin [
This study evaluates quantitative and qualitative techniques for analysing tourism carrying capacity within the Manglaralto River-Aquifer system using environmental and social criteria. The process involves three research phases: i) data collection and analysis, ii) assessment of tourism carrying capacity, and iii) formulation of sustainability strategies (Figure 1).
The first phase consisted of the collection of primary and secondary information using various tools
for documentary and spatial analysis, field observations, and open interviews. Data on the number of
inhabitants were obtained by analysing population information from oficial sources, such as the census
conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) [
Additionally, during this stage, accessibility, services, and tourism infrastructure were evaluated through observation, field visits, open-ended interviews with the water board president and operators, and the use of georeferenced tracking mobile devices (Geo Tracker version 5.4.1.4346). This application allowed us to determine the distance and duration of the trip. The study area was delimited by a topographic survey using diferential GPS (EGM 1996) and a drone (DJI Mavic Pro-2). The images obtained were processed using Agisoft Metashape (version 1.8.4) and QGIS software to obtain Digital Elevation Models and orthomosaics. This spatial information provided information on the area and physical characteristics of the site.
Phase II evaluated tourist carrying capacity following the method proposed by Cifuentes [
• Efective Carrying Capacity (ECC): This is the management or administrative capacity of the site.
To calculate the physical carrying capacity of the SDE, the following parameters were determined:
the total area of the site, the number of daily hours it is open to the public, the average duration
of a tourist visit, and, in the case of the trail, the estimated time it takes for a visitor to complete
the route. These elements formed the basis for evaluating the physical carrying capacity of the site,
without considering additional factors such as vegetation, infrastructure, or ecological fragility. Physical
carrying capacity represents the maximum number of visitors a site can accommodate simultaneously
under ideal conditions without generating immediate negative impacts. This value was calculated using
the following equation 1, proposed by Cifuentes [
Where: =Physical Carrying Capacity, = total area of the site, = area occupied by a person, = number of times the site can be visited.
To determine the real capacity, it was necessary to decide on the correction factors according to Cifuentes
[
Where: = Real Carrying capacity, = Physical Carrying capacity, , ... = correction factors.
Additionally, the ECC was determined by the product between the RCC and the handling capacity (HC), which is presented in equation 3:
Where: = Carrying capacity, = Real Carrying Capacity, = Handling capacity represented by the equation 4:
= * = + + 3
The cause-efect matrix is a tool to identify the efect based on a set of qualitative characteristics to
measure the environmental impact [
= * * ( + + + )
Where: = Nature, = Probability, = Duration, = Revesibility, = Intensity, = Exclusivity.
Table 2 establishes the qualitative and quantitative ranges used to evaluate the impact of tourism
activities. The evaluation considers criteria such as the magnitude range of the impact, which ranges
from -9 to +7, and the interpretation of the impact, ranging from high negative to high positive [
To ensure efective and participatory planning, the creation of a multidisciplinary panel for the
formulation of an environmental strategy was proposed. The panel comprised 13 members selected
based on rigorous criteria, such as technical experience in hydrology, ecology, geology, and tourism,
as well as community leadership, institutional representation, and local cultural knowledge from the
six communities benefiting from the JAAPMAN service. The composition of the panel included the
president of the water board, two technical operators of the system, four geological engineers and
researchers related to the geosciences, an environmental engineer, a tourism graduate, a civil engineer,
and three members of the financial administration of JAAPMAN. The panel was held in person through
the workshop ’Main Challenges in the Management of the Demonstrative Ecohydrology Site’, held on
January 1, 2025, where three rounds were sequentially developed, aimed at creating environmental
strategies for the site:
1. Conceptualization stage: Where the concept of a ’Demonstration Site’ was defined, integrating
ecological, technical, and community impacts.
2. Participatory diagnosis stage: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)
analysis tools [
The DSE has an area of 1891.55 m2, of which 809 m2 is enabled for tourism activities (figure 2), while the remaining area is covered by vegetation. The walking tour of the site takes approximately 20 minutes, starting at the pumping station, where an introduction to the local water catchment system is provided. Next, the visit proceeds to Well 1, where historical and technical information about the construction of the well is provided, highlighting the role of international cooperation projects between ESPOL and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At this point, monthly monitoring of physicochemical analyses and static/dynamic water levels (Figure 3a) is regularly conducted, allowing for the assessment of its quality and hydrogeological characteristics. Well 2 serves the purpose of monitoring the static level of the aquifer, providing essential information for understanding the behaviour of the underground system and the state of the water table at diferent times of the year.
Continuing with the tour, we reached the halfway point of the journey, where the upstream environment of the Manglaralto River can be observed (Figure 3b). In front, there is an observation area for the endemic species of the region (Figures 4a and 4b), which enhances the ecological experience of the trail. Moving along the route, the journey concluded at the ’tape’ dam, a place used by residents for artisanal shrimp fishing and as a water recreation area. On warm afternoons, this site becomes a gathering place where dozens of families enjoy the natural scenery and the freshwater of the Manglaralto River (Figure 4c) for almost three hours. Furthermore, the ’tape’ is used like a didactic example of the technique for sowing and harvesting water that facilitates the recharge of the coastal aquifer. (a) Monitoring activity of levels and physicochemical parameters of wells.
(b) View of the upper part of the Manglaralto River.
Regarding the site’s basic infrastructure, it is enclosed by fencing but lacks essential amenities such as signage, paved pathways, sanitary facilities, food courts, information kiosks, and waste disposal services. From an environmental management perspective, the only existing measure is a warning sign indicating deep waters, which is poorly visible due to surrounding vegetation. From a tourist service perspective, there are no designated guides available during visiting hours to monitor visitor numbers or to tour the characteristics of the Manglaralto River–Aquifer System.
The FCC of the DSE is 2523 visitors per day, considering the entire site area. To obtain the RCC, correction factors were considered, and a total of 698 visitors per day was obtained. In the ECC, a 0.33% (a) Golden-toed Heron (Egretta thula)
(b) Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).
(c) Panoramic view of the ’tape’ dam
was obtained considering the handling capacity at the site, with a daily tourist load capacity of 24 people
without causing ecological collapse. A similar case study is the Complejo Educativo Ambiental Naciente
Arriaz (CEANA) in Costa Rica, which encompasses 4.31 hectares of forest protecting a spring that is
used for supplying drinking water to the communities of “Taras”, “La Lima”, and part of “La Fátima”,
where ecotourism activities are conducted. At CEANA, it was established that the three trails should be
used by an average of 26 people per day to maintain the ecological balance of the site in relation to the
spring season. However, before 2019, this spring was afected by vandalism and pollution, which led to
the creation of a fence around it to ensure the sustainability of the site [
For the analysis of the cause-efect matrix, tourist activity (cause) and the afected component (efect) were considered. Recreational activities, such as walking on unpaved trails, bird watching, artisanal ifshing, excessive use of the dam, presence of garbage in the dam, and vehicle frequency, were found to have negative impacts, with magnitudes between -9 and -3.5 (Table 3). Meanwhile, activities that integrate socio-educational values had positive impacts with magnitudes of +4 and +5.
• Basic infrastructure and tourism use planning:(strategies derived from WO+WA): This includes the development of minimum services (bathrooms, signage, resting areas), site zoning, control of tourist carrying capacity, and implementation of a tourism management and monitoring plan. • Environmental education and strengthening the scientific value of the site: (strategies derived from SO+WO): designing an eco-hydrological and geotourism interpretive trail, generating workshops, guided tours, informational panels, and training local guides. In addition to promoting technical, scientific, and educational tourism at the local level. • Conservation of biodiversity and ecological restoration: (strategies derived from OT+WO): implementation of riparian vegetation restoration programs, control of invasive species and habitat recovery, development of a biological inventory program, and participatory monitoring of flora and fauna in partnership with academia-research. • Participatory management and institutional articulation: (strategies derived from SO+WT+OT): consolidation of a local management unit of the site (JAAPMAN+allies), strengthening of alliances with universities, tourism stakeholders, and cooperation agencies, and development of promotional campaigns for the site in networks of geosites and protected areas at the national and international levels.
The study established a tourist load of a minimum of 24 tourists per day, keeping the negative impacts of tourism under control. Through the cause-efect matrix, the most sensitive environmental components were identified. For example, excessive use of the dam for recreational activities could generate significant wear, classified as a high negative impact with a magnitude of -9. In contrast, the implementation of proper signage would contribute to the appreciation of the landscape, classified as a medium positive impact with a magnitude of +5.
Strategies were proposed in the structural area, such as the design of a geotouristic interpretative trail, development of minimum services (bathrooms, signage, resting areas), site zoning, and implementation of a tourism management and monitoring plan. From an educational perspective, the creation of a community centre for environmental education and technical tourism, as well as workshops for community training in environmental guidance and participatory monitoring, was proposed. This study used quantitative approaches based on physical, social, environmental, and administrative conditions, as well as the perceptions of key stakeholders and experts. State space model studies are necessary to quantify carrying capacity from the perspective of ecological eficiency for sustainable and dynamic management of carrying capacity at sites of coastal ecohydrological importance, such as the case study.
The authors are grateful for the support provided through the research project "Registry of Geological Sites of Interest in Ecuador for Sustainable Development Strategies" (CIPAT-004-2024), which strengthened the tourism, ecological, and hydrogeological components of this case study. They also acknowledge the support of the community engagement project "Sowing Harvesting and Reusing Water for Sustainability (Phase II)" (PG13-PY25-07) and JAAPMAN, whose key stakeholders actively participated in the various stages of the research process.
The authors have not employed any Generative AI tools.