Contrasting perceptions: A comparative study between residents and non-residents of Lake Yojoa

Resumen

Abstract – People's perception of the pollution of an ecosystem is a complex aspect since it can be affected in many ways, including social networks. The students of the Ecology class of the Environmental Management and Development Engineering degree at the CEUTEC Technological University Center, based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras dedicated themselves to studying the perception of pollution of the only body of fresh water under the category of Lake in Honduras, an important tourist region that is also a source of income from fishing and agricultural production, among others. General aspects such as age, education and source of income were analyzed, as well as perception aspects specifically regarding perception of state of conservation, pollution, management and others. The results obtained showed that the majority perceive it as moderately preserved or severely affected. Pollution of the lake is mainly attributed to waste from commercial areas, mining activity and metal extraction. Both residents and non-residents consider the lake an important freshwater reserve in Honduras, despite the perception of contamination. The lake is a major tourist destination and a source of employment for the local population. The study also highlights pollution problems related to human activity, such as agriculture and mining, and highlights the need for ecological interventions to address environmental challenges in the region. In addition, significant differences were found in environmental perception between residents and non-residents of the lake.