Socio-environmental dynamics and tourist-recreational potential of the La Segua wetland (Ecuador): Attitudes and perceptions of local agents and visitors

Abstract

In this paper, a socio-environmental characterization of the La Segua wetland in Ecuador is carried out, trying to understand the meanings, values, attitudes and motivations of the agents, local communities and visitors that intervene in this protected area declared a Ramsar Site, in relation to sustainability of its tourist-recreational management and of the natural resources that serve as its support. With this, it seeks to establish a series of future actions for its development and planning in a manner compatible with the recovery of its ecosystem, currently with serious problems of conservation and management of its territorial resources, conflicts of land and water uses and crises of some of their traditional activities. The analysis carried out follows a mixed quantitative and qualitative methodology, including an exploratory and documentary approach and using structured surveys and in-depth semi-structured and partially open personal interviews. Likewise, primary sources obtained from field work have been used, which has had the support of a GIS exploitation to georeference the changes in land use experienced in the last two decades. Finally, various experimental-based indicators are identified for decision-making and implementation of preventive measures in the area of conservation and sustainable management of the wetland ecosystem and to propose strategic guidelines for community-based tourist-recreational management, which allow for overall maintenance of socio-cultural and environmental relationships of a sustainable nature.