Fire Ecology and Conservation in the High Tropical Andes: observations from Northern Ecuador

The upper montane zone of the Ecuadorian Andes includes a diverse mixture of forest, paramo (tropical alpine vegetation), and agricultural lands. These areas have been occupied by humans for at least 7,000 years, and it is likely that repeated anthropogenic disturbances, especially fires, have altered the vegetation frequently. More than twelve major protected areas have been established in the highland region, but greater knowledge of disturbance ecology must be acquired before appropriate environmental management schemes can be implemented. This article reviews recent findings concerning the fire ecology of paramo communities within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and on Cerro Imbabura, an adjacent peak in northern Ecuador. After summarizing the environmental history of the region, the relationships among contemporary fire regimes, conservation practice and various attitudes toward paramo are discussed. Utilizing field observations from both protected and unprotected paramos, I demonstrate that fires are most likely not reducing species diversity, and that fire suppression is not an effective management policy. The "pristine myth" that provides a basis for some conservation efforts is evaluated, and recommendations for more effective conservation policies are made.