5 ECUADOR'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The environmental problems in Ecuador are mainly associated with the loss and degradation of natural areas as a result of deforestation, unplanned development of infrastructure and contamination by extractive and productive activities at industrial level.

Furthermore, the unsustainable use of the elements of nature, such as selective timber extraction, overfishing and overhunting, also constitute a threat to the balance of nature.

Esmeraldas refinery. Source: ANDES News Agency.

These problems lead to an increase in vulnerability to climate change and the loss, fragmentation and deterioration of the natural habitat of many species of fauna and vegetation, as well as their genetic diversity.

Ecuador's environmental problems are associated with the industrial production of goods and services destined to satisfy the growing demands of a population with unsustainable consumption patterns.

This development model contrasts with the world view of the original peoples of Ecuador, based on good living (Sumak Kawsay) that recognizes and respects the rights of nature.

Main environmental problems in Ecuador

1. Deforestation

Deforestation in the Amazon. Source: Ibama from Brasil

The forest cover in Ecuador for 1990 was estimated at 14,630,847 ha of forests. This coverage decreased 6% in 2000, 10.5% in 2008 and 12% in 2014. It is estimated that during this period almost 2 million hectares of natural forest were lost. Despite these values, net annual deforestation has been declining steadily since 2000.

Almost all of the deforested areas have been transformed into spaces for agricultural production. A smaller proportion has been allocated to infrastructure in urban areas and other types of coverage.

The ecosystems most threatened by deforestation are the humid forests of the coastal mountain range, which present the highest annual deforestation rate in Ecuador, as well as a trend towards an increase in the same in the coming years.

Deforestation implies the degradation, fragmentation and loss of habitat of a great diversity of species. This being the main threat to the conservation of the different species of fauna and flora of the country.

2. Extraction, processing and burning of fossil fuels

Oil spill in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Source: Ecuador Foreign Ministry

Ecuador has important reserves of natural gas and oil, concentrated in the Amazon region, to the east of the country. Crude extracted in the Amazon is brought to the coastal region through pipelines that cross the country from east to west.

During more than 40 years of oil production in Ecuador, more than 5 million barrels of crude oil have been spilled on the soils, swamps and rivers of the Amazon. In addition, a large amount of natural gas emanated from the fields has been burned and significant oil losses have occurred in the pipelines that transport the crude to the refineries.

The crude refining process also has environmental consequences. A particularly serious case is that of the Esmeraldas refinery. The emission of gaseous pollutants for more than 40 years has increased the concentrations of particulate materials above the standards allowed worldwide, with a significant decrease in the quality of life of the inhabitants of the city of Esmeraldas.

More than 80% of the energy consumed in Ecuador comes from oil and gas. Transportation is the sector with the highest requirements for fossil fuels (gasoline and diesel), followed by the residential and industrial sectors.

3. Industry

Industry in Ecuador. Source: KelvinLemos.

The industrial sector in Ecuador is represented mainly by the production of food and beverages, the manufacture of cars, the production of petroleum derivatives and nuclear fuel, and the manufacture of products from rubber and plastic.

Industry is one of the sectors that requires the highest demand for energy, preceded by the residential and transport sectors. However, these enhance each other because the concentration of industries results in a growth of urban settlements around them and an increase in the number of vehicles.

Quito is one of the main industrialized cities in Ecuador. Due to poor territorial planning in the city, there are industrial zones that adjoin residential areas. Industrial emissions pollute the atmosphere of the city and generate health problems for the population.

The industrial activities that generate the greatest emission of chemical substances are the production of food, paper and its derivatives, oil refining and the manufacture of chemical products.

4. Unsustainable use

Various species of parrots in the Yasuni NP. Highly sought after for illegal marketing as pets. Source: Geoff Gallice from Gainesville

Another threat to the great biodiversity of Ecuador is its unsustainable use. Ecuador's fishing resources are declining mainly due to overfishing generated by an oversizing of the fishing fleet.

It is estimated that at present more than 20 key species for the fishing industry and artisanal fishing are under some category of threat (11 threatened, 7 endangered and 4 vulnerable).

Another form of unsustainable exploitation is the trafficking of wild flora and fauna. In the Yasuní National Park and its area of ​​influence, bushmeat is sold in local markets. A study revealed changes in the number of species offered, due to changes in natural populations.

The unsustainable use of forest fauna not only affects natural populations and their ecosystems, but also the food sovereignty of local inhabitants.

5. Agriculture

Industrial agriculture. Source: Geoff Gallice from Gainesville.

Agriculture has historically been one of the bastions of the Ecuadorian economy. However, ancestral agriculture has been gradually replaced by agribusiness, with significant social and environmental impacts.

The use of fertilizers and biocides pollutes soils, water and food. Floriculture stands out, one of the main agricultural activities in Ecuador, due to its demand for large amounts of pesticides.

Genetically Modified Organisms threaten to end the great genetic diversity of ancestrally cultivated species in Ecuador.

On the other hand, the requirements of large extensions of land exert pressure on the forests, promoting the expansion of the agricultural frontier. With the agrarian reform of 1964, there was an increase in areas destined for agricultural production in the Amazon, mainly for the development of livestock and oil palm crops.

Agriculture also exerts significant pressure on water, this being the main use of this essential resource for life. 81% of the water used in agricultural production does not return to the surface stream.

In addition, this agriculture has a high demand for fossil fuels destined for machinery for planting, harvesting, transporting, processing and storing production.

References

1. Larenas Herdoíza, D, Fierro-Renoy, V. and Fierro-Renoy, C. (2017). Large-Scale Mining: A New Industry for Ecuador. Polémika, 12: 67–91.
2. Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador. (2014). National report. Global Forest Resources Assessment. Quito, Ecuador.
3. Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador. (2015). Fifth National Report for the
4. Convention on Biological Diversity. Quito, Ecuador.
5. Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador. (2016). National Biodiversity Strategy 2015-2030. First edition, Quito-Ecuador.
6. Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador. (2008). GEO Ecuador 2008. Report on the state of the environment.Quito-Ecuador.FAO and CAF. Ecuador: Sector Analysis Note. Agriculture and Rural Development.
7. Puentestar Silva, WP (2015). Environmental problems and the deterioration of natural resources in Ecuador. A perspective from Geography. Quito, Ecuador.
8. Sierra, R. 2013. Deforestation patterns and factors in continental Ecuador, 1990-2010. And an approach to the next 10 years. Conservation International Ecuador and Forest Trends. Quito, Ecuador.
9. Viteri, MP and Tapia, MC (2018). Ecuadorian economy: from agricultural production to service. Espacios Magazine, 39 (32): 30