Spatio-temporal analysis of the human footprint in South Ecuador: Influence of human pressure on ecosystems and effectiveness of protected areas

摘要: Abstract Human influence and its impacts are perceptible in all ecosystems resulting land transformation, changes global biogeochemistry, climate change, loss of biological diversity. Mapping the spatial temporal patterns human is essential to address use management conservation programs. In this study, we tailored Footprint index (HF) developed at level evaluate pressure South Ecuador for 1982, 1990 2008. Landscape ecosystem levels were analyzed identify contribution different proxies HF. We also used HF effectiveness protected areas reduce surrounding landscape. found that increased wildest decreased since 1982. identified important “hotspots changes” seasonally dry forests western part premontane evergreen forest eastern study area. Our results show each proxy contributes a way observed values studied ecosystems. Finally, Podocarpus NP, most area our region, seems be partially effective reducing inside buffer zones where only low increase was detected. However, landscape higher than those zone demonstrated could useful regional evaluation tool facilitate planning.