Coproductive Capacities Support Implementation of Ecuador’s Sangay-Podocarpus Connectivity Corridor

Ecuador's Sangay-Podocarpus Connectivity Corridor (CCSP) demonstrates that strong normative and cognitive capacities are critical for advancing ecological corridor implementation, though material constraints hinder sustained progress. The study highlights the CCSP's shared vision for social-ecological wellbeing and robust biophysical science foundation as key enablers of scientifically informed action. However, gaps in integrating social sciences and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, along with insufficient funding and human resources, pose significant challenges. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders revealed that while normative capacities (shared values) and cognitive capacities (biophysical expertise) are well-developed, material capacities (resources) remain the weakest link. This research underscores the need for targeted capacity-building to sustain effective conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots.

Oppler, G., & Thomsen, J. M. (2024). Coproductive Capacities Support Implementation of Ecuador’s Sangay-Podocarpus Connectivity Corridor. Society & Natural Resources, 37(7), 1070–1089. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2024.2329889