Determinación de los servicios ecosistémicos que suministra la Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo

Abstract

The present research proposes: determining the ecosystem services that supplied the Reserve of Fauna Production of Chimborazo, from the perception of the actors involved in the management of the area; has its purpose to evaluate ecosystem services of the Reserve, understanding their structure, functioning and integrity, as well as the benefits provided to local populations, to stablish conversation strategies that allow the sustainable use of natural resources and the good living. Through physical, ecological and social parameters was determined the study area on which will impact the action proposed in the research. Consequently it was characterized the ecological and social system based on the collation of information from secondary sources that allowed to identify supplying units and social actors or direct beneficiaries of ecosystem services. The classification of ecosystem services was developed based on the identification of 36 functional features the same that allowed to determine 60 suppliers units. Finally, through a questionnaire applied in the form of a survey to 14 communities located in the area of influence, was identified 17 ecosystem services which are beneficiaries communities of area of influence of the Reserve. In addition, it was possible to measure the intensity of relations of ecosystem services with human welfare. It is concluded with the proposal or conservation strategies for the objects of water management, moorland and key species, same that obtain the supply of ecosystem services of fresh-water, climate regulation, air purification, water regulation and maintenance of habitat for unique species that are with very high vulnerability due to the threats to which they are exposed.

Key words: Ecological and social system, Functional features, Suppling units, Ecosystem Services.