An Investigation of the Effects of Human Activities on the Sustainability of the Wakanaboo Watershed and its Contiguous River Systems in Linden, Region 10, Guyana

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Watersheds have been perceived as important ecosystems for a multiplicity of uses, including industrial and domestic. In Linden, Region 10, the Wakanaboo watershed has been experiencing increased pressures, especially from development activities and increased demand for water resources. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of human activities on the sustainability of the Wakanaboo watershed and its contiguous river basins. This river system is the main source of potable water for large sections of the Linden community. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating field and aerial surveys, was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data for the study. Field surveys included the use of questionnaires, water sampling and observations. Aerial surveys utilized satellite imagery and drone technology. The main finding of the research was that uncontrolled population incursions into the Wakanaboo watershed have contributed to degradation of the landscape and its vital water resources which, if allowed to continue unchecked, will not only contribute to the unsustainability of the environment within the watershed but also impact on the wider Linden community. This points to the need for a strengthened legal and institutional framework to
address land management issues in the study area.

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• Land Management, Land Tenure, & Agricultural Issues