Environmental Stress and Sustainable Development in the Tropical Andes

Abstract

This paper addresses two of the principal themes that affect the viability of, and the future prospects for, Third World mountains. It summarizes research experiences of the author from the Andean test area of the UNU Highland-Lowland Interaction Systems Programme in Ecuador, and the results from the international workshop on Sustainable Uses for Steep Slopes organized by the Development Strategies for Fragile Lands (DESFIL) Program in Ecuador. The paper first makes reference to the meaning and the use of the key words environmental and development, by different scholars and disciplines. These concepts are then examined in the spatial context of the tropical Andes, specifically of the central Sierra of Ecuador. An attempt is made to portray, in a tabulated form, a typology of the various stressors of the natural and human environments, their potential impact on the cultural landscape and human activities, and potential adaptation or adjust- ment strategies to counter the effect of the stressors. The final section of the paper is devoted to the theme of sustainable rural development of the Andes. In a summarizing table, thirteen major problems are presented, together with a corresponding set of recommendations or solutions to counter these problems. It is argued that a clear understanding of the stress factors or problems, especially as perceived by the rural population, form the basis for a sustainable development of the tropical Andes geared towards long-term ecological stability as well as towards a sustained socio-economic development of the rural populations.