People, park and plant use: Perception and use of Andean 'nature' in the southern Ecuadorian Andes

This study aims at reviewing the interactions of people and their biophysical environment in order to examine underlying ideas of 'nature' that might create conflicts over resource use. Assuming that peoples' use of the natural environment reveals something about how they perceive it, I explore the changing relations between a community and its forested hinterland - turned into a national park - and a local NGO working in the region in southern Ecuador. I found that various stakeholders perceive the 'nature' of the park differently. The NGO focuses largely on biodiversity conservation, management and recreation, while the community population have a broader understanding of 'nature' as life itself, and often fail to comprehend what a national park is. Villagers are practically oriented, using a range of plant species for medicinal, nutritional and other purposes. Yet, it seems such uses are declining, as many young people are reluctant to take on a village lifestyle. A less tangible relation to nature, and possibly reduced knowledge transfer between generations, may well lead to changes in the perceptions and values put on the forest by people in the community. Neither perceptions nor uses of nature are static, making conservation management something of a moving target.

Keywords:

• conservation
• Ecuador
• ethnobotany
• human territoriality
• rural populations