Mapeo de servicios ecosistémicos para la planificación del territorio: una experiencia con abordaje participativo

Abstract

Agricultural intensification has impacted on ecosystems, affecting their ability to provide services. The consequences of this process lies with the society, since human welfare is strongly linked to ecosystem services (ES) provision. The participation of local communities is essential for the identification of ES and the threats that compromise them. The aim of this paper was to contribute to territorial planning of Yaguari stream upper basin (Rivera, Uruguay). In order to do this a participatory approach is used, which consist of the analysis of linkages between the supply of ES, social assessment carried out by local population and threats that affect the provision of services. The methodological strategy integrated interviews, surveys and workshops with local population. A Geographic Information System was generated from the information collected, which allowed its spatial analysis. The main results show that the area presents ecosystems of high social values that are threatened by current land uses, helping to determine priority areas for management. This research contributes elements towards the elaboration of participatory strategies of sustainable territorial planning at a local level.