Estrategias de conservación ex situ y el establecimiento de viveros en la parroquia de Moraspungo, provincia de Cotopaxi-Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between ex situ conservation and the establishment of nurseries in the Moraspungo parish located in the province of Cotopaxi-Ecuador. As a methodology, a structured interview was applied to develop the characterization of the plant species in the nurseries of the parish and also to identify the ex situ conservation processes based on the perception of the administrators. On the other hand, a bibliographic review of the plant lists was made to determine the plant species with a degree of threat or vulnerability. As results, 257 species grouped in 52 families and 172 genera were recorded in the nurseries; the most representative families in the nurseries were Araceae (9.3%), Orchidaceae (8.5%), Cactaceae (7.0%). The endangered species are: Cleistocactus winteri D.R.Hunt and Hibiscus arnottianus A.Gray; those critically endangered are: Alocasia sanderiana W.Bull, Beaucarnea recurvata (K.Koch & Fintelm.) Lem. and Hibiscus fragilis DC. Finally, an environmental management proposal was made to the owners to promote ex situ conservation in the Moraspungo nurseries.