Aim Lakes in the Ecuadorean Andes span different altitudinal and climatic regions, from inter Andean plateau to the high‐elevation páramo, which differ in their historical evolution in the several centuries since the pioneering Humboldt expeditions. Here, we evaluate temporal and spatial patterns of change in diatom assemblages between historical (palaeolimnological) and modern times. Location Ecuadorean Andes Methods We compared historical (pre‐1850) and modern (2017) diatom assemblages from 21 lakes and determined the relative role of environmental (water chemistry and climate) and spatial factors (distance‐based Moran's eigenvectors maps) on both assemblages using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) with environmental fitting. In addition, we used redundancy analysis (RDA) with variance partitioning to estimate the historical (measured using downcore assemblage composition) effects on modern diatom assemblages and identified diatom species that contributed most to dissimilarity between the two times. Results Diatom changes between the two time points were limited across the group of lakes, as indicated by the NMDS ordination. Variance partitioning indicated that modern diatom assemblages were affected by environmental and spatial effects, but with non‐significant effects of past diatom species composition. Ordination results showed that variables related to elevation and water chemistry affected both modern and historical diatom assemblages. Diatom species with the best fit on NMDS axes (i.e. >70%) were influenced by elevation and climatic variables. The most distinctive change between the two time periods was the higher relative abundance of planktic diatom species in top‐core assemblages of some lakes, but in a highly variable fashion across gradients of increased elevation and water depth. Main conclusions Landscape palaeolimnological analyses of varied Ecuadorean Andean lakes demonstrate both environmental and spatial controls on diatom metacommunities. The multi‐faceted ecological control of the altitudinal gradient on both historic and contemporary diatom assemblages suggests species sorting and dispersal constraints operating at centennial time‐scale. Although a few individual lakes show substantive change between the 1850s and today, the majority of lakes do not, and the analysis suggests the resilience of lakes at a regional scale. We emphasize the potential of diatom palaeolimnological approaches in biogeography to test ecologically relevant hypotheses of the mechanisms driving recent limnological change in high‐elevation tropical lakes.
Impact of a reservoir system on benthic macroinvertebrate and diatom communities of a large Mediterranean river (lower Ebro river, Catalonia, Spain)This study included the main hydrogeomorphic categories of the lower Ebro River and aimed to detect spatial and temporal patterns of macroinvertebrates and diatoms communities inhabiting downstream a reservoir system. We hypothesized that biological communities will reflect a gradient of alteration related to the distance from the impact (i.e., dams). Surveys conducted along five river sections 2 km long integrating different years and seasons were analyzed. Non-metrical Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), Similarity Percentage Analysis (SIMPER) and 1-way Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM) were performed to assess spatial and temporal differences in community structure. The relationship between biological and environmental data was investigated with BIOENV routine and a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was also carried out. Significant differences in the composition of the macroinvertebrate community were found between the section closest to reservoirs (E5) and the rest of the study sections; the present community was also very different of that found in previous studies carried out in the 80's and 90's. For the case of diatoms, significant differences in community composition were only found between seasons but not between study sections. As well, indices for ecological status assessment based on both macroinvertebrates (IBMWP) and diatoms (IPS) showed lowest scores at section E5, likely caused by the impact of dams. Macroinvertebrates and diatoms responded rather differently to anthropogenic stressors in the lower Ebro River; macroinvertebrates were more sensitive to hydromorphological impacts, while diatoms were more sensitive to water quality alteration.
Ecuador is a country with a vast amount of natural and cultural heritage. The diversity of its four regions has allowed the presence of several species of flora and fauna. Most of its fauna and flora is present at 26 protected natural areas. Also, it offers historical attractions, gastronomy, and a variety of cultures and traditions. In all these aspects, Ecuador has developed several modalities of tourism, as the community based tourism, which is considered as a strategy for development. It is also considered as an object of investigation which includes three fundamental perspectives: special sensitivity to the natural environment and cultural particularities, integral sustainability (social and natural), and effective control of tourism by communities. Community tourism contributes to the country’s brand at international level, being an element of growing interest in touristic market. The Guasuntos community has natural and cultural resources, which has allowed the incursion in this tourism modality. This, however, was possible through the creation of a product according to the needs of unsatisfied demand. A survey was applied to the local tourists who visited Alausí and Chunchi cantons. Also, the market analysis of the survey was carried out, and the potential demand and competition were projected. This helps to ascertain the unsatisfied demand in order to identify the needs of the national tourists. This study was developed as a contribution to the design of a touristic product with the aim of improving the population life quality.
Human talent represents today for the rural and community tourism a fundamental axis for the improvements of income and sustainable development for the communities of this sector so absent of the governmental policies. Tourism in general, according to international organizations, is considered a strategic axis for the nations of the world, given its planetary reach in the economic and social sector, but also because of the advances that are generated through it in communities, regions and countries. The objective of the study is to evaluate the human talent and competencies in tourism that are related to the work of tourism establishments in the provinces of Chimborazo. It also seeks to highlight the key capacities in this sector of the Ecuadorian economy. The methodology of the study responds to the quantitative, documentary method based on interpretation, applying an instrument that resulted in the presentation of the key and identifying competencies of the tourism professional who works in rural and community areas. It is concluded that the Province of Chimborazo is part of the programs of interest for the development of tourism in Ecuador, being necessary to potentiate the competencies that characterize the human talent that works in tourism.
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