Alternativas para la conservación del ecosistema Bosque Siempreverde Montano Bajo de Catamayo Alamor, en la parte alta de la microcuenca del río Santa Rosa.

Abstract

This research proposes conservation alternatives for the Evergreen Lower Montane Forest ecosystem of Catamayo – Alamor, located in the upper micro-watershed of the Santa Rosa River, Atahualpa canton, through the formulation of management programs guided by the methodological guidelines of MAATE. The study, applied in nature and with a descriptive-explanatory approach, was developed in three stages: environmental baseline assessment, ecological zoning, and the design of programmatic axes. The baseline characterization enabled a comprehensive analysis of the area's physical, biotic, socioeconomic, and cultural components, revealing significant pressures such as the expansion of the agricultural frontier and lack of institutional coordination. Based on this information, zones for strict protection, native forest management, forest plantations, other uses, and buffer zones were delineated, aimed at sustainable land use and ecosystem conservation. As a result, inter-institutional and productive management programs were structured to promote strategic alliances and sustainable land-use practices. The first seeks to integrate public, private, community, and academic stakeholders in the planning and implementation of conservation measures. The second encourages sustainable agricultural activities, reducing pressure on the forest and improving the livelihoods of local populations. This proposal serves as a technical and strategic input for the future development of the Management Plan for Protective Forests and Vegetation of the area, strengthening environmental governance and ecosystem resilience in the face of current threats.