Rapid ecological assessment for responsible mountain biking in the tropical dry forest, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Abstract
Mountain biking is a common activity associated with the decrease in biodiversity in fragile ecosystems such as the tropical dry forest, where the Protective Forest “La Prosperina” is located on the coast of continental Ecuador. Little studied place despite the endemism of the Tumbes Region. The objective of this research was to determine the conservation status through a rapid ecological assessment to identify the impact of mountain biking. Geographic information systems and a multitemporal analysis were used. The routes represent a total area of 51,314.16 m2 with a load capacity of 7 cyclists per day, performing Enduro and X-C (cross country) types. In the questionnaire, proposals for participation in activities for the tours, cleaning and conservation were identified. Regarding the conservation of flora, Prestonia parvifolia is critically endangered and Croton rivinifolius is in danger of extinction. Two endangered birds were identified: the gray-backed hawk (Pseudastur occidentalis) and the gray-faced parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera), and a near-threatened species the red-faced parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys). In this study, results that favour management for the protection of biodiversity are evidenced.
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