Project
Rapid Ecological Assessment of the SANREM CRSP/Ecuador Research Area, Northwestern Pichincha
Details
Project Code:
E4-I
Start Date:
November 1996
End Date:
July 2001
CRSP Phase:
Phase 1
Budget:
Not Available
Countries:
Ecuador
Participants
Lead University:
Not Available
Other Partners:
Department of Biodiversity
Conservation Data Center
CDClEcuador; Department of Geographical
Information System and
Remote Sensing
Conservation Data Center
CDClEcuador
Principal Investigator(s):
Marcelo Guevara N.; Felipe Campos Y.
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
None
Overview
In Ecuador, deforestation has reached unprecedented levels. About 300,000 ha are deforested annually (CAAM, 1995). The scarce remnants of the forests located along the Andean slopes and in the interAndean valleys are the most endangered. Subsequently, there is greater emphasis on the conservation of soils and water resources, and of course, on preventing loss of biodiversity. In this context, the SANREM CRSP works in an area where the local agricultural communities are facing related problems. The aim is to find solutions and alternative approaches to resource management with an interdisciplinary research methodology and in close collaboration with the local population.
The participation of the Conservation Data Center (CDCl Ecuador) in this project has two main purposes: I) to build a pool of geographical and ecological information about the area and 2) to provide the institutions and the local communities involved in SANREM CRSP/Ecuador with this information as a useful tool for research and planning.
Objectives
1. Provide cartographic support to the SANREM CRSP/Ecuador program through the elaboration of maps containing information such as distribution of human settlements, current land use, vegetative cover, geomorphology and soils, and potential land use and use conflicts. 2. Augment this geophysical characterization of the area with information about ecological communities, their distribution, and their current level of conservation. 3. Identify plants and animals as potential ecological indicators for evaluation, monitoring, and research purposes.
Outcomes
Coming soon
