1. Jeremy Rausch B.S. Wildlife Resources

2. Cultural awareness of different inhabitants of an area is key to understanding and planning for management uses (Blaikie & Brookfeild 1987). Different groups or organizations have varying ideals and uses of land based on scale of influence (Saelemyr 2004). Lisette Waits

3. Ecuador Objectives Surveys Interviews Timeline Ethical Considerations Integration

4. Contains a high amount of biodiversity Rare & Endemic Spp. Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) Paramo Study Area Yacuambi Wetland System Tutupali 28 de Mayo Mestizos “Agro-pastural” farmers Cash Crops ~1,300 people Saragurros “Agro-pasturalists” Development ~3,000 people

5. Common Problems Grazing Mining Road Development Loss of land and access in PNP (Saelemyr 2004).

6. Investigate importance of paramo to: Saragurros Mestizos Local Authorities Gain knowledge of uses Understand better the views of locals Create a Ramsar Protected Area Brandt

7. 23. Social and cultural values: a) Describe if the site has any general social and/or cultural values e.g., fisheries production, forestry, religious importance, archaeological sites, social relations with the wetland, etc. Distinguish between historical/archaeological/religious significance and current socio-economic values… b) Is the site considered of international importance for holding, in addition to relevant ecological values, examples of significant cultural values, whether material or non-material, linked to its origin, conservation and/or ecological functioning?

8. Concurrent mixed methods approach Using surveys for locals Interviews for local authorities Interviewee’s will be identified by UTPL members prior to arrival in Ecuador.

9. Conducted on 95 locals ~4300 population 95% Confidence Level ±10. Variables Concerns Spp. Use Frequency of Use Trust of Managers (Shindler et al. 2003) Demographics Will use a 5-point Likert Scale Not very concerned to Very Concerned etc… Statistical Analysis SPSS® ANOVA

10. Answer the following questions based on your levels of concern. How concerned are you…. Not Very Concerned Not Concerned Neutral Concerned Very Concerned With road development12345 With mining12345 Predators12345 Andean Bear (Tremarctos Ornatus) 12345

11. Local Authorities Mayors Semi-structured Open-ended Informed Consent Form Analysis Coding theme Relevant themes & relationships Lisette Waits

12. Do you have any concerns about future use and management of the Paramo ecosystem in this region? If so, please tell me about these concerns. How do you feel local residents’ views should be incorporated into managing the Paramo ecosystem? Would you prefer an active involvement with local residents or a more top-down approach to managing the area? Please discuss your responses. How important is the Paramo ecosystem to the culture and traditions of this area? What exactly about the Paramo reflects the culture and traditions of residents? What do you see as the benefits of creating a protected area in this region?

13. Institutional Review Board Status: PENDING NIH Certificate Completed 2/22/2011 #639399 Personal Information Surveys vs. Interviews Benefits!

14. Gain knowledge of Locals Least influential stakeholders need a say for better implementation and management of plan (Hensher et al. 2002) Lisette Waits

15. DateTask January 24 th -May 6 th Proposal May 11 th,2011Presentation May 17 th, 2011Departure for Ecuador May 19 th -20 th,2011UTPL Familiarization May 30 th -June 12 th,2011Field Work June 12 th -July 16 th,2011Data Analysis July 18 th,2011Return to Quito July 24 th, 2011Return to U.S. August –December, 2011Report

16. Supports the research of the paramo plant species. Understanding the uses of plants being identified. Cooperative with Mining Rights and Andean Watershed studies Adds a social aspect

17. Special Thanks to Chad Kooistra (M.S. Graduate Student) & Veronica (UTPL Member)

18. Blaikie, P. M., H. C. Brookfield. 1987. Land Degradation and Society. London: Methuen. Hensher D.A., J. King. 2002. Mapping stakeholder perceptions of the importance of environmental issues and the success in delivery: a university case study. Environmental Education Research 8(2):199-224 Saelemyr, S. 2004. People, park, and plant use: perception and use of Andean ‘nature’ in the Southern Ecuadorian Andes. Journal of Geography 58:194-203.