Adaptive co-management of biodiversity in rural socio-ecological systems of Ecuador and Latin America
Francisco Neira,
Santiago Ribadeneira,
Estefania Erazo-Mera,
Nicolas Younes
Affiliations
Francisco Neira
Faculté des Sciences. Département de Biologie. Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Bd de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; Corresponding author.
Santiago Ribadeneira
Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
Estefania Erazo-Mera
College of Public Health Medicine and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4878, Australia; Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, QLD, Australia
Nicolas Younes
Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, QLD, Australia; Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Ngunnawal Country, Australia
Biodiversity management in Ecuador, and across Latin America, focuses on using protected areas for conservation purposes. However, this management strategy does not adequately consider biodiversity interactions with humans by neglecting socio-ecological systems that provide many benefits especially to indigenous and other rural peoples. This paper reviews successful examples of local applications of adaptive co-management that incorporate socio-ecological interactions and the benefits they provide to rural communities in Latin America. These examples show the potential of applying adaptive co-management to manage biodiversity and to revitalize the development of rural communities across the region.
