sustainable management - ecuador

• What makes rainforests valuable and worth managing sustainably?

  • Rainforests contain 1/2 of the world's plant and animal species so are biodiverse
  • Rainforests contain 1/4 of all ingredients for medicines
  • Rainforests regulate CO2 emissions as they absorb it through photosynthesis
  • Rainforests contain many other valuable resources such as timber and copper
• Why can sustainable management of rainforests be a challenge?

  There is conflict between conservation and the development of the country to provide better infrastructure and quality of life as most rainforests are located in LICs.
• Give an example of a conservation project in Ecuador.

  Sumak Allpa project run by a NGO in Yasuni national park.
• What is the aim of the Sumak Allpa project?

  Aims to rescue and rehabilitate 7 different species of monkey so that they can be returned to the wild.
• What is Yasuni national park a part of and what does this mean?

  Yasuni national park is part of a larger Ramsar site, designed to maintain and protect important wetland ecosystems.
• What are the advantages of the Sumak Allpa project?

  • Attracts 10000 tourists each year, bringing in money for development
  • No hunting or poaching is allowed which ensures species are there for future generations
  • Locals provide tours for tourists which creates jobs
  • Development is limited to conserve the rainforest - anything that is built is done so in a sustainable way
• What are the disadvantages of the Sumak Allpa project?

  • Only small-scale tourism which limits the income being received
  • Can only be small-scale due to the high cost of maintaining the area sustainably
• Give an example of ecotourism in Ecuador.

  The Yamaha Lodge which aims to teach people about the rainforest. It has 14 cabins meaning it can hold 30 visitors at once.
• How is the Yamaha Lodge made sustainable?

  • Energy used comes from solar panels
  • Rainwater is collected and is used to flush toilets
  • Tourists must stay on designated trails only in certain areas of the rainforest to leave the rest undisturbed
• What are the advantages of ecotourism and the Yamaha Lodge?

  • Helps to conserve the rainforest
  • Creates jobs - over 4000 people are employed by ecotourism in the area surrounding the Yamaha Lodge
  • Provides money to local communities and helps fund local projects like schools
  • Educates visitors on the rainforest and the traditions of locals
• What are the disadvantages of ecotourism and the Yamaha Lodge?

  • Small-scale so doesn't make as much money as large-scale tourism
  • Developments must be managed very carefully
  • Due to the falling price of oil extracted in Ecuador, the government is under pressure to fill this income gap - large-scale tourism would be a major source of income which creates pressure on the tourism industry to expand and hence become less sustainable
• How can selective logging help to manage the tropical rainforest sustainably?

  Trees are only felled when they reach a certain height or age, allowing young trees a guaranteed life span and the forest will regain full maturity after around 30 to 50 years.
• How can replanting trees help to manage the tropical rainforest sustainably?

  If trees are cut down, they are replaced to maintain the canopy. A project in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil has shown it is possible to recreate a forest cover almost identical to the original to minimise environmental damage.
• How can debt reduction help to manage the tropical rainforest sustainably?

  Many tropical rainforest are located in LICs and NEEs who have had to borrow money from wealthier countries that has to be paid back with interest. To pay this back, many countries allow deforestation to happen in order to make this money. In 2008, the USA reduced Peru's debt by $25 million in exchange for rainforest conservation.