Conocimiento local y científico sobre los indicadores edáficos en el Oriente Ecuatoriano

Abstract

Abstract: This research combines the perception of farmers at the local level with quantitative data in the Amazon Region of Ecuador, with the aim of identifying indicators and practices of soil management in agricultural areas. A total of 286 surveys were applied with 35 questions covering the respondent's general data, visible indicators of soil fertility, soil management and conservation practices, as well as knowledge acquisition. The scientific data were obtained from the map made by the MAG and FAO (2018) of the locations where the surveys were conducted. The results show that farmers have an in-depth knowledge with respect to soil fertility, identifying several visible indicators, including some plants that indicate productive soils, while utilizing various practices that degrade the soil and others that contribute to soilconservation at the local level. These practices have been taught over generations and are currently being lost, which highlights the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with local knowledge to generate methods of sustainable soil management that consider the needs of farmers and soil conservation.