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Article

Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador

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Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Cuenca, Av.12 de abril s/n, Cuenca 0101168, Ecuador
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Institute of Silviculture, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
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International Studies and Institute of Public Service, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122-1090, USA
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Institute of Forest Management, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061707
Received: 17 April 2018 / Revised: 18 May 2018 / Accepted: 21 May 2018 / Published: 23 May 2018
The páramo, a collection of Neotropical alpine ecosystems, plays a prominent role in ecosystem services (ESs), providing water supply and regulation, conservation of biodiversity, and carbon storage in soil. The establishment of pine plantations for carbon sequestration and wood production has recently raised questions concerning the possible impact on the páramo’s ES. This study identifies the main stakeholders in this field and compares and contrasts their perceptions of the impact of pine plantations on the páramo’s ES, because the disparity among stakeholders’ perceptions must be addressed to achieve sustainable management. The data were gathered using 56 semi-structured interviews and were qualitatively analyzed. The results show that the main stakeholder groups (landowners, local government officials, foresters, and nature conservationists) acknowledge the important ES of the plantations. The perception of plantation impact varies among and within stakeholder groups, however, on specific functions, such as water provision, carbon storage, erosion prevention, and habitat function for wildlife and natural vegetation. Consideration and integration of these perceptions can help policy makers and organizations develop sustainable policies for the future management of the páramo ecosystem. View Full-Text
Keywords: Andes; ecosystem services; exotic plantations; Pinus patula Andes; ecosystem services; exotic plantations; Pinus patula
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MDPI and ACS Style

Quiroz Dahik, C.; Crespo, P.; Stimm, B.; Murtinho, F.; Weber, M.; Hildebrandt, P. Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1707. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061707

AMA Style

Quiroz Dahik C, Crespo P, Stimm B, Murtinho F, Weber M, Hildebrandt P. Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador. Sustainability. 2018; 10(6):1707. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061707

Chicago/Turabian Style

Quiroz Dahik, Carlos, Patricio Crespo, Bernd Stimm, Felipe Murtinho, Michael Weber, and Patrick Hildebrandt. 2018. "Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador" Sustainability 10, no. 6: 1707. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061707

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