Description

One recent study of areas with high levels of biodiversity identified ten hotspots distributed over a mere 0.2 percent of the earth’s land surface (Myers 1988). Northwest

Ecuador belongs to these “hot spots.” However, Ecuador’s continuing socioeconomic problems provide a distinct contrast to such a privileged position in terms of biodiversity. In light of Ecuador’s contradictions, national organizations working in development and conservation are challenged to find practical solutions to the following questions:

– How can the effects of development on biodiversity be minimized? – What kind of reliable and efficient tools should we be using to conserve biodiversity? – Who should implement mitigation measures and actions in key areas? The Sustainable Use for Biological Resources (SUBIR) projects 10-year experience in the buffer zone for the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve in northwest Ecuador suggests that Biological Monitoring is one successful approach. This chapter discusses important aspects of Project SUBIR and the elements of biological monitoring.