Integrated management of natural resources in the Ecuador Highlands

Víctor Hugo Barrera, Luis Orlando Escudero, Jeffrey Alwang, Robert Andrade

Gordon INIAP, Quito, Ecuador.
Institute Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
Institute Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VirRobert ginia, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/as.2012.35093                

Abstract

The Andean region of Ecuador is characterized by extreme poverty caused by low agricultural productivity, limited off-farm opportunities, and lack of access to markets. Poverty is related to degradation of natural resources as lagging agricultural productivity leads to incursions into fragile areas and use of erosive farming techniques on steeply sloped hillsides. Food production in fragile areas degrades soil and water resources, contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, and reduces productive potential over time. This article discusses an agricultural development project designed to reduce the long-term downward development spiral in a watershed in Bolivar, Ecuador. The applied research program began with analysis of the state of soil resources, water, and biodiversity in the Chimbo sub-watershed. This information was used to design a plan with the input of local stakeholders to introduce environmentally friendly farming practices, soil and water conservation techniques, and various institutional innovations to promote resource conservation. This adaptive management program has been a solid success. This article describes the project, the challenges it faced, and how the process of adaptive management led to consensus among stakeholders about the appropriateness of sustainable management practices. We show how implementation of enhanced management practices contribute to reduced environmental vulnerability and improved welfare.

Keywords

Component; Natural Capital; Micro-Watershed; Systems Approach; Adaptive and Integrated Watershed Management

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	J. Doolette, and W. McGrath, “Strategic Issues in Watershed Development,” in J. Doolette, and W. McGrath (eds) Watershed Development in Asia. World Bank Technical Paper No. 127, 1990.
[2]	G. Guerra-García, and K. Sample, La política y la pobreza en los países andinos. Stockholm: International IDEA, 2007.
[3]	P. Siegel, and J. Alwang, “An Asset-Based Approach to Social Risk Management: A Conceptual Framework,” Social Protection Discussion Paper 9926. Social Protection Unit, Human Development Network, World Bank, 2004.
[4]	A. Dourojeanni, and A. Jouravlev, “Crisis de gobernabilidad en la gestión del agua: Desafíos que enfrenta la implementación de las recomendaciones contenidas en el capítulo 18 del Programa 21,” Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL). Serie Recursos Naturales e Infraestructura n°35, Santiago, Chile, 2001.
[5]	S. Scherr, and J, McNeely, “Reconciling Agriculture and Wild Biodiversity Conservation: Policy and Research Challenges,” in Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Biodiversity: A Sourcebook, Ed. CIP-UPWARD, 2004, pp. 46-55.
[6]	S. Scherr, and A. Downward, “Spiral? Recent Evidence on the Relationship between Poverty and Natural Resource Degradation,” Food Policy, v. 5(4): 479-498, 2000.
[7]	J. De Marco, and F. Monteiro Coelho, “Services performed by the ecosystem: forest remnants influence agricultural cultures’ pollination and production,” Biodiversity and Conservation 13: 1245-1255, 2004.
[8]	V. Barrera, C. León-Velarde, J. Grijalva, and F. Chamorro, Manejo del Sistema de Producción “Papa-Leche” en la Sierra ecuatoriana: Alternativas Tecnológicas. Editorial ABYA-YALA. Boletín Técnico No. 112. INIAP-CIP-PROMSA. Quito, Ecuador, 2004, 196 pp.
[9]	SIGAGRO, Información temática de las microcuencas de los ríos Alumbre e Illangama. Sistema de Información Geográfica Agropecuaria. Quito, Ecuador, 2008.
[10]	INIAP, Sistema de Información Geográfica de la Subcuenca del río Chimbo, Bolívar-Ecuador. Red de Monitoreo Climático. Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, 2008.
[11]	V. Barrera, J. Alwang, and E. Cruz, Manejo integrado de los recursos naturales para agricultura de peque?a escala en la subcuenca del río Chimbo – Ecuador: aprendizajes y ense?anzas, INIAP–SANREMCRSP–SENACYT, Boletín Divulgativo No. 339. Quito, Ecuador, 2008, 87 pp.
[12]	INEC-MAG, III Censo Nacional Agropecuaria: Resultados Nacionales, Provinciales y Cantonales. Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos y Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, volumen 1. Quito, Ecuador, 2002.
[13]	GPB, Plan Estratégico de Desarrollo Provincial 2004-2024, Gobierno Provincial de Bolívar, Dirección de Planificación. AH/editorial. Guaranda, Ecuador, 2004, 224 pp.
[14]	G. Gallardo, Informe Final Memoria Técnica Programa de Manejo Integrado de Recursos Naturales en Cuencas Hidrográficas y un Plan de Inversiones, en el Sector Agropecuario, MAG-BID-IICA. Quito, Ecuador, 2000, 220 pp.
[15]	N. Salafsky, R. Margoluis, and K. Redford, Adaptive management: a tool for conservation practitiones. Washington, DC: Biodiversity Support Program, 2001.
[16]	R. Chambers, and G. Conway, “Sustainable rural livelihoods: Practical Concepts for the 21st century,” IDS Discussion Paper 296. Brighton, UK: Institute for Development Studies, 1992.
[17]	M. Aldenderfer, and R. Blashfield, “Cluster Analysis; Series: Quantitative Applications in the Social Science,” Beverly Hills: SAGE University Paper, 1984.
[18]	H. Ward, “Hierarchical Grouping to Optimize and Objective Function,” Journal of the American Statistical Association 58, 301, 236-244, 1963.
[19]	J. Alwang, V. Barrera, R. Andrade, S. Hamilton, and G. Norton, “Adaptive watershed management in the South American highlands: Learning and Teaching on the Fly,” in The Sciences and Art of Adaptive Management: Innovating for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management. SWCS. Iowa, USA, 2009, pp. 209-227.
[20]	J. Calles, “Bioindicadores terrestres y acuáticos para las microcuencas de los ríos Illangama y Alumbre, provincia Bolívar,” EcoCiencia. Quito-Ecuador, 2007, 30 pp.
[21]	E. Cruz, “Estudio sobre la biodiversidad arbórea y arbustiva en las microcuencas de los ríos Illangama y Alumbre – Provincia Bolívar, Ecuador,” Informe técnico, INIAP. Quito, Ecuador, 2009, 26 pp.
[22]	R. Andrade, Household Assets, Livelihood Decisions and Well-being in Chimbo Ecuador. MSc. Thesis, Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech, 2008.