Perspectivas de actores clave sobre los servicios ecosistémicos que brindan tres estados del bosque tropical estacionalmente seco del Ecuador mediante la metodología Q

Abstract

Abstract: Loss of forest integrity severely compromises many of its benefits. A key component for its evaluation and active management is the experience and perception of the causes and effects of degradation on the part of the actors that depend on the ecosystem in question. In the present study, the situation of three degraded states of the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (BTES) of Ecuador was evaluated, supported by Q, a tool that helped to link the integrity of the forests and the perception of key actors in relation to the different ecosystem services (ES) that they offer. In the natural state, the discourses emphasize SE of regulation, with water and air being primary services, the semi-natural state offers provision services such as food for goats or flowers for bees, discourses similar to the previous state, and in arid land ES have been minimized due to their even more degraded ecosystem, with tourism being an economic alternative for key players. The action of the inhabitants is not enough to maintain their state and function, support and planning are required through authorities to develop techniques that allow the sustainable use of the goods and ecosystem services of the forest and avoid continuous degradation.