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Social-Cultural Importance of the Paramo Ecosystem

Social-Cultural Importance of the Paramo Ecosystem. Jeremy Rausch B.S. Wildlife Resources. Introduction. Cultural awareness of different inhabitants of an area is key to understanding and planning for management uses ( Blaikie & Brookfeild 1987).

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Social-Cultural Importance of the Paramo Ecosystem

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  1. Social-Cultural Importance of the Paramo Ecosystem Jeremy Rausch B.S. Wildlife Resources

  2. Introduction • Cultural awareness of different inhabitants of an area is key to understanding and planning for management uses (Blaikie & Brookfeild 1987). • Different groups or organizations have varying ideals and uses of land based on scale of influence (Saelemyr 2004). Lisette Waits

  3. Outline • Ecuador • Objectives • Surveys • Interviews • Timeline • Ethical Considerations • Integration

  4. Ecuador • Contains a high amount of biodiversity • Rare & Endemic Spp. • Andean Bear (Tremarctosornatus) • Paramo • Study Area • Yacuambi Wetland System • Tutupali • 28 de Mayo • Mestizos • “Agro-pastural” farmers • Cash Crops • ~1,300 people • Saragurros • “Agro-pasturalists” • Development • ~3,000 people

  5. Yacuambi Wetlands System • Common Problems • Grazing • Mining • Road Development • Loss of land and access in PNP (Saelemyr 2004).

  6. Objectives • Investigate importance of paramo to: • Saragurros • Mestizos • Local Authorities • Gain knowledge of uses • Understand better the views of locals • Create a Ramsar Protected Area Brandt

  7. Objectives 23. Social and cultural values: • Describe if the site has any general social and/or cultural values e.g., fisheries production, forestry, religious importance, archaeological sites, social relations with the wetland, etc. Distinguish between historical/archaeological/religious significance and current socio-economic values… • Is the site considered of international importance for holding, in addition to relevant ecological values, examples of significant cultural values, whether material or non-material, linked to its origin, conservation and/or ecological functioning?

  8. Methods • Concurrent mixed methods approach • Using surveys for locals • Interviews for local authorities • Interviewee’s will be identified by UTPL members prior to arrival in Ecuador.

  9. Surveys • Conducted on 95 locals • ~4300 population • 95% Confidence Level ±10. • Variables • Concerns • Spp. Use • Frequency of Use • Trust of Managers (Shindler et al. 2003) • Demographics • Will use a 5-point Likert Scale • Not very concerned to Very Concerned etc… • Statistical Analysis • SPSS® • ANOVA

  10. Example Survey Questions

  11. Interviews • Local Authorities • Mayors • Semi-structured • Open-ended • Informed Consent Form • Analysis • Coding theme • Relevant themes & relationships Lisette Waits

  12. Example Interview Questions • Do you have any concerns about future use and management of the Paramo ecosystem in this region? If so, please tell me about these concerns. • How do you feel local residents’ views should be incorporated into managing the Paramo ecosystem? Would you prefer an active involvement with local residents or a more top-down approach to managing the area? Please discuss your responses. • How important is the Paramo ecosystem to the culture and traditions of this area? What exactly about the Paramo reflects the culture and traditions of residents? • What do you see as the benefits of creating a protected area in this region?

  13. Ethical Considerations • Institutional Review Board • Status: PENDING • NIH Certificate • Completed 2/22/2011 • #639399 • Personal Information • Surveys vs. Interviews • Benefits!

  14. Benefits • Gain knowledge of Locals • Least influential stakeholders need a say for better implementation and management of plan (Hensher et al. 2002) Lisette Waits

  15. Timeline

  16. Integration • Supports the research of the paramo plant species. • Understanding the uses of plants being identified. • Cooperative with Mining Rights and Andean Watershed studies • Adds a social aspect

  17. Questions or Comments? Special Thanks to Chad Kooistra (M.S. Graduate Student) & Veronica (UTPL Member)

  18. Literature Cited • Blaikie, P. M., H. C. Brookfield. 1987. Land Degradation and Society. London: Methuen. • Hensher D.A., J. King. 2002. Mapping stakeholder perceptions of the importance of environmental issues and the success in delivery: a university case study. Environmental Education Research 8(2):199-224 • Saelemyr, S. 2004. People, park, and plant use: perception and use of Andean ‘nature’ in the Southern Ecuadorian Andes. Journal of Geography 58:194-203.

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