Socioecological Dynamics and Forest-Dependent Communities’ Wellbeing: The Case of Yasuní National Park, Ecuador

Isabel Dominguez-Gaibor, Nicolae Talpă (), Maria Cristina Bularca, Aureliu Florin Hălălișan, Claudiu Coman and Bogdan Popa
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Isabel Dominguez-Gaibor: Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Șirul Beethoven Street, no. 1, 500123 Brașov, Romania
Nicolae Talpă: Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Șirul Beethoven Street, no. 1, 500123 Brașov, Romania
Maria Cristina Bularca: Department of Social Sciences and Communication, Faculty of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brașov, Eroilor Street, no. 25, 500030 Brașov, Romania
Aureliu Florin Hălălișan: Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Șirul Beethoven Street, no. 1, 500123 Brașov, Romania
Claudiu Coman: Department of Social Sciences and Communication, Faculty of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brașov, Eroilor Street, no. 25, 500030 Brașov, Romania
Bogdan Popa: Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Șirul Beethoven Street, no. 1, 500123 Brașov, Romania

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: Protected areas are considered the backbone of biodiversity conservation, but their management often fails because local people are not involved, and their needs are ignored. A socioecological approach has been demonstrated to be effective in improving the relationship between conservation efforts and human wellbeing through a better understanding of the interdependence between nature and people. This relationship can be observed through the case of the Kichwa indigenous communities within Yasuní National Park, Ecuador, as they have retained a very close relationship with forest ecosystems. Using key respondent interviews, along with semi-structured interviews and focus groups, this research describes the complex relationship between changing forest ecosystems and human wellbeing. The results highlight food, health, and cultural identity as the most important benefits that communities obtain from forests. The research also sheds light on how people in the investigated area perceive the dynamics of socioecological systems, indicating petroleum, infrastructure development, and small-scale agriculture as the most important direct drivers and land governance and the presence of colonists as the most important indirect drivers of changes to forest ecosystems. This paper demonstrates the importance of monitoring socioecological systems and adapting management to balance complex economic, social, and ecological challenges.

Keywords: Yasuní National Park; socioecological systems; protected areas; indigenous communities; ecosystem services; local community benefits; forest dependency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:12:p:2141-:d:1295545

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