Efecto del cambio de uso de suelo sobre la herpetofauna, en el barrio Yaguachi, cantón Chaguarpamba

Abstract

Abstract: Land use change represents one of the main challenges for ecosystems terrestrial, generating significant impacts on the ecological balance. This study focuses in addressing the effects of land use change on biodiversity, with special emphasis in the herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) in the Yaguachi neighborhood of the Chaguarpamba canton, located in a dry and seasonal ecosystem. To carry out the research, we used a field study methodology that consisted of carrying out five routes of 500 meters each during the first months of 2023. During these tours, information on the species of amphibians and reptiles present in different types of soil, covering three study areas: Primary forest, Secondary forest and Grasslands. The results revealed the presence of 18 species in total, distributed in the three areas mentioned. In the primary forest, three species were identified, in the secondary forest eight species and in the Grasslands seven species. Based on the results, we propose four conservation strategies aimed at maintaining biodiversity in the area of study. These strategies seek to address the specific challenges derived from the change of land use and promote the sustainable coexistence of herpetofauna species in the Yaguachi neighborhood.