Indicators of sustainability with emphasis on the state of conservation of the tropical dry forest

Abstract

Tourism planning processes are developed under sustainability indicators. For this reason, decision-makers and planners need management tools to assess the degree of sustainability, in particular biological indicators. This research was carried out within the protected area of Machalilla National Park, with the objective of determining sustainability indicators, with emphasis on the conservation status of the tropical dry forest of the commune of Agua Blanca, within the framework of the project "Sustainability indicators for environmental management focused on tourism. Phase 1. Methodological theoretical references". For the identification of species with potentialities for key biological indicators based on their representativeness, singularity and monitoring possibility, a simple random probabilistic sampling was carried out through the establishment of 28 transects of 20 m x 100 m, with a group of variables such as height, abundance, diameter, basal area and frequency. Harvesting practices were also considered in relation to the conservation status of these species. Criteria and indicators were generated for the qualification of conservation objects, as well as the key ecological attributes of the Agua Blanca commune and forest species as biological indicators, aimed at biodiversity conservation, which constitutes a useful tool for restoration in the context of Ecuador's dry forests.