Zonas prioritarias para la conservación de anfibios en la región sur occidental del Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: The dry forests of Loja and El Oro represent 50% of this ecosystem in Ecuador and its protection is a priority because it constitutes "The Tumbesian Center of Endemism", one of the most important eco-regions in the world. Notwithstanding its importance, it has been grimly affected by human actions, causing negative effects on amphibian populations. Information was generated about the current amphibians that locate in the southwestern areas of Ecuador, in order in order to select and propose priority areas for the conservation of this important taxonomic group. A bibliographic review and inventories were carried out in the field between March and April 2018, applying the method of Surveys for Visual Encounters, structuring a database about 1325 records belonging to 20 species of 9 families. With this systematized and coupled information in the QGIS software, more information on plant cover, current land use, ecosystems, rivers, roads, etc. the zones for the conservation of amphibians were prioritized, where approximately 54% of the territory has favorable characteristics for the conservation and 18% of that area is already protected.