ENVL- NW Field Experience Prep

Angelique Wanek
Professor Tait
10/22/2017
Chapter 2: The Ecuadorian Context

Robert Fripp once said that The science is in knowing; the art in perceiving
(Quotefancy 2017). Although Ecuador is a small place, it is of uttermost importance. Ecuador is
home to many different species of plants and animals, most of which are endemic to Ecuador.
The Galapagos islands hold many different species of finches, that in which inspired Charles
Darwin to do research and form his hypothesis of evolution from (Lewis, 2016, p. 29). Other
than the uniqueness of its biodiversity and a high number of species richness of the area,
Ecuador is valued for it is a microcosm of developing LAC nations. The Ecuadorian government
is faced with many relatable issues seen in many LAC nations such as poverty, debt, the
hotspots it embodies, as well as lack of regulations of air/quality controlling and it's lack of
funding to develop sustainably. Its struggles of the constant changing of the state, the
companies present, transnational funding, social activist movements, the presence of NGO's,
over it's past (1978-2015) has led Ecuador to be a place of special interest for an
environmentalist.
To begin, one of the main topics of conflict in Ecuador is how its future development will
take place. To drill or to not drill? was the subject of Chapter 1 of this book. Who has the
power during Ecuadors further development will influence how it is completed- sustainably or
inefficiently. The decision of Ecuadors future development does not solely rest on what force is
in power, but which force has the economic backing to accomplish dominance over other
competing forces. Ecuador like most other LAC nations struggles when it comes to poverty,
debt and social justice. In contrast, unlike most nations, Ecuador embodies four distant regions
in the country which include; the Amazon, the Andes, the coast and the Galapagos islands.
Each of these regions plays a role in Ecuador's economy, resources, and environmental state.
Next, the main exports of Ecuador include; oil, bananas, shrimp, canned fish, flowers,
cacao and coffee (Lewis,2016, p.30-34). Ecuador is naturally rich in petroleum, especially in the
Amazon. While some parts of the Amazon are protected by laws, these laws are not set in
stone. Some companies are able to find ways around drilling in these protected areas anyway
and some are just given permission by the government altogether(Lewis,2016, p.30-34).The
main issue surrounding the drilling for oil is, if it continues, it will negatively affect the nation's
biodiversity; however if it continues it will provide the state with the money it needs to help its
citizens. Not drilling the oil or limiting the drilling is definitely the way Ecuador needs to go in
order to have a sustainable future.
Similarly, Bananas, coffee as well as cacao are other major exports that Ecuadors
economy depends upon. Ecuador is a huge provider of these exports, and in result makes a lot
of money on these exports. However, neither of these exports compares to the economic gains
of petroleum export gains.The downside to these exports is that they depend on environmental
conditions. For instance, if Ecuador experiences a storm or a drought, its production of these
goods is lowered; therefore it loses money. In comparison, petroleum is a much more stable yet
more environmentally harmful export. Also, depending on to what extent these exports are
grown/harvested, can cause them to be as harmful as petroleum. For instance, if portions of the
Amazon are cut down to grow these crops, it is not worst than drilling for oil in the same forest.
Farming degrades the land over time as well as destroys the habitats of any organisms, just as
oil extraction does. These harmful concepts have resulted in concern amongst many
environmental groups as well as indigenous groups in Ecuador.
In addition, other exports the public have issues with are shrimp and canned tuna. This
concern mainly arises from environmentalist concerns of the condition of Ecuadors Mangroves.
Overharvesting as well as bycatch has resulted in the degradation of such areas (Lewis,2016,
p.36).So while these exports bring money into the nation for public education, air/water
regulation, it has a trade-off by hurting Ecuador's biodiversity. Likewise, flowers are another
debated export that people are concerned about. Like stated earlier, Ecuador is known for its
beautiful and unique flora and fauna. There are numerous different types of flowers that grow in
most of Ecuador. The issue people, especially scientist have with flower production is the
pesticides/ chemicals used on these flowers. Most of the typical chemicals used to ward off
bugs, or to help plants grow, are detrimental to human/animal health (Lewis,2016, p.37). Also,
spraying pesticides or other chemicals on plants, tends to travel, which can hurt other people
and other ecosystems. The scientist is also concerned with such chemicals getting into the
water that runs through Ecuador (nutrient leaching, nutrient pollution, etc), and their long-term
effects.
In a like manner, it is because of Ecuadors unique flora and fauna that makes it such an
attractive Ecotourism spot. Ecotourism has been, in the past and especially in Ecuadors future,
a huge economic boost. Hiking/camping in the Andes, walking/researching in the Amazon,
shopping in the city and relaxing/swimming at the Coast and swimming/scuba
diving/kayaking/cruising on the Galapagos Islands have all been beloved activities offered in
Ecuador. Ecotourism not only gives money to the state but provides jobs for indigenous people.
Therefore, it is of uttermost importance that hotspots in Ecuador be preserved as an
investment for its future economic needs.

Reflection

As was previously stated, Ecuador has a unique biodiversity element to it. Its four regions, the
Coast, the Galapagos, the Amazon and the Andes all have high species diversity. Henceforth,
Ecuador has numerous hotspots. What is a hotspot? Professor Norman Myers is an
environmentalist who in his 1988 paper identified hotspots as ...such areas where needs are
greatest and where the payoff from safeguard measures would also be greatest (Myers, 2005).
Using this source as a backbone of the definition of hotspots', today most scientists have
qualifications to deem a location as a hotspot' such as:
It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics which is
to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere
else on the planet
It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other

words, it must be threatened.

 Source: (Conservation International 2017)
Ecuadors regions embody hotspots for it meets the requirements for so. Especially
when looking at the Galapagos alone, which is considered one of the most biologically diverse
places on earth. Therefore, Ecuador's flora and fauna are so very important to protect. For if
extraction keeps happening in these areas, as well as many other harmful environmental
activities, it could create a mass extinction. A mass extinction is not an easy thing to come back
from either. On a smaller less extreme note, by constantly extracting resources from the same
section of land, the resources will run out. If ecosystems do not have enough time to replenish
itself, those resources will be gone forever. This is why it is vital that Ecuador protect its natural
lands. First it must avoid causing a mass extinction, secondly, it must avoid using up all its
natural resources and lastly, it must plan to be sustainable as well as have a stable
economy/state.

References

Conservation International. (2017). Why hotspots matter. Retrieved from:

https://www.conservation.org/How/Pages/Hotspots.aspx

Myers, N. (2005, Nov 16). Myers Hot Spots. Retrieved from:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235198941400095X

Quotefancy.(2017). Robert Fripp Quotes. Retrieved from:

https://quotefancy.com/quote/1196589/Robert-Fripp-The-science-is-in-knowing-the-art-in-
perceiving