Posibles efectos del cambio climático global en zonas silvestres protegidas de la zona andina de Ecuador

Abstract

In Ecuador there are laws and efforts in order to mitigate the effects of the global climate change; however, just a few facts of these measures are evident. This work analyzes the potential impact of climate change on native vegetation in protected areas of the andean zone in Ecuador. It was conducted analyzing information about these Areas, their problems, their vegetation types, deforestation processes, land tenure and actions in response to climate change; two maps were designed showing native vegetational zones of the andean zone (1999 and 2010). In the next phase, a third map was made under the climate scenario provided for 2020, according to the HadCM3 model under scenario A2 using the scheme of adjusted maximum dispersion. We also designed four tables with vegetation covers of the Andean zone: the first for 1999 information, a second one for 2010, a third one for 2020 and a final one comparing the surfaces changes. This work aims to promote the knowledge and analysis of climate change in Ecuador and their potential impacts on protected areas and their ecosystems in order to generate scientific information useful to decision makers and land use planners.