Environmental changes in biodiversity hotspot ecosystems of
South Ecuador: RESPonse and feedback effECTs (FOR2730)

Abstract:

The tropical premontane and montane rainforests of south-eastern Ecuador constitute one of the most important hotspots of plant diversity. However, the Andes of Ecuador are known as the region with the highest deforestation rate in South America. The experience in international nature conservation during the past decades has shown that, to be effective, biodiversity conservation in inhabited areas should provide welfare through the use of forest for local peoples who coexist with it. Based on the foregoing, this study pursued the following targets: (1) to document the ethnobotany of the different ethnic groups who live in the area of study - namely the Shuar, the Saraguros, and the mestizos, (2) to analyze actual land use, and (3), to evaluate the suitability of the implementation of agroforestry systems, ecotourism, payments for environmental services, and bioprospecting as instruments in line with the ?protection by use? concept.