Abstract
Smallholder farmers in developing countries such as Ecuador have contributed widely to ecosystem conservation. Although they have been affected by the consequences of climate change, the synergy of Pachamama care and technical knowledge has become key to sustaining dynamics in their local territories. This paper presents a combined methodology approach based on fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to capture perceptions of ecosystem conservation. The purpose was to assess the impact of the “Biocorridors for Living Well” program on the application of local knowledge by smallholder farmers. The findings showed that program managers had a limited narrow focus based on the general program ideology, whereas peasants’ perceptions revealed a more complex map, highlighting the importance of building capacities beyond sustainable agricultural techniques. Also, both groups were aware of the contribution of ecosystem conservation to rural development. However, it is essential to stress that the contribution of smallholder farmers to conservation was critical, and most of the time, their efforts were not valued. Therefore, to scale up program outcomes, national and international institutions require an understanding of local peasants’ perceptions to guarantee action sustainability and to avoid repetitive actions in their local territories.
Highlights
Smallholder farmers in Ecuador have made good progress toward ecosystem conservation [1], where the synergies between local and scientific knowledge have become key elements in sustaining the governance of ecosystems [2]
This paper presents a combined methodology approach based on fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to capture perceptions of ecosystem conservation
The findings showed that program managers had a limited narrow focus based on the general program ideology, whereas peasants’ perceptions revealed a more complex map, highlighting the importance of building capacities beyond sustainable agricultural techniques
Summary
Smallholder farmers in Ecuador have made good progress toward ecosystem conservation [1], where the synergies between local and scientific knowledge have become key elements in sustaining the governance of ecosystems [2]. Many international development institutions are working in the rural zones of developing countries with the formulation and implementation of alternative agricultural systems, such as agroecology, organic farming, and forestry systems [7,8]. These alternative systems consider a sustainable agriculture model approach [9], in which attention becomes focused on smallholders worldwide [10]. Notwithstanding the importance of the abovementioned factors, is it not necessary to focus on how to strengthen and scale up efforts of ecosystem conservation in local communities based on a technical assistance approach by institutions?
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