A Framework to Incorporate Biological Soil Quality Indicators into Assessing the Sustainability of Territories in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Thony Huera-Lucero, Juana Labrador-Moreno, José Blanco-Salas and Trinidad Ruiz-Téllez
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Thony Huera-Lucero: Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06071, Spain
Juana Labrador-Moreno: Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06071, Spain
José Blanco-Salas: Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06071, Spain
Trinidad Ruiz-Téllez: Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06071, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-29

Abstract: In Amazonian Ecuador, land-use change from tropical rainforest to different productive purposes is leading to irreversible situations from an environmental perspective. The objective of this paper was to highlight the significance of the biological components in the soils in Amazonian Ecuador, and the importance of considering biological soil quality indexes when assessing environmental impacts in the soils of tropical Pan-Amazonian areas. Since the literature on the subject is dispersed and inaccessible, a bibliographic review was conducted, with the aim of compiling protocols and proposals for practical utilization. We compiled tables, including specific indicators from the biological point of view. We present the available methods for assessing the sustainability of Amazonian territories through the analysis of soil quality. Our contribution facilitates an edaphic perspective to be taken into account in decision-making processes for sustainable territorial development.

Keywords: biological indicators; soil quality; sustainability; tropical soils; Amazon region; Ecuador (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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