Trees and trade-offs: Perceptions of eucalyptus and native trees in Ecuadorian highland communities

Abstract

This eighth chapter examines historic and current processes for forest management in the Ecuadorian highlands. In Cotacachi, eucalyptus plantations have become increasingly important as an alternative forested landscape and economic contributor. However, the expansion of the eucalyptus plantations has come at the expense of natural forest habitat. This has created tensions between agroforestry uses of the land and conservation of indigenous biodiversity and traditional values of the forest landscape.