Challenges for research on global change in mainland Ecuador

Resumen

Ecuador is one of the first countries worldwide that set the environment as a national priority. The 2008 constitution established the concept of “Living Well” or “Buen Vivir” as a parameter of coexistence of the Ecuadorian society, and is based on equity and harmony with nature. The 2009–2013 [1] and 2013–2017 [2] National Plan for Good Living focused on conservation and sustainable management of natural heritage and biodiversity and mitigation and adaptation to climate change. These initiatives are internationally recognized for being at the forefront of socio-environmental rights [3,4]. One of the four principles of the “Plan Nacional para el Buen Vivir” was environmental sustainability, aiming to strengthen conservation, valorization and sustainable use of natural resources, ecosystem services and biodiversity [2]. The 2017–2021 National Development Plan [5] has been designed to further achieve environmental sustainability and territorial development.