Abstract

From a theoretical framework based in political ecology, this study analyzes the limitations of socio-environmental sustainability and ecological-distributive conflicts in the Galápagos Island with an emphasis on Santa Cruz Island and its transition zone of the Biosphere Reserve. The specific objetives were to explore how various local actors value the natural resources, and how they perceive the causes of environmental degradation and their perspective of sustainability. From the alternatives to development and degrowth, some practices of the agroforestry producers in the rural area and their contribution to sustainability were analyzed. A qualitative methodology was implemented, incorporating ethnography, participant observation, and in-depth interviews with agroforestry producers, as well as semi-structured interviews with institutional actors. The results indicate seriuos limitations in the access to basic sanitation and high negative environmental burdens of waste derived from intensive tourism. In the rural areas, the dominant perception and values points to the invasive species as the main cause of degradation, the same ones for institutions lacking any value whatsoever which has normalized the use of pesticides and agrochemicals and generates ecological distribution conflicts. Despite the dominant scenario, there are local practices among agroforestry producers based on community and self-management principles, proposing alternative ways of inhabiting and relating to nature, as ecological and well-being-centered alternatives. These practices should be strengthen sustainability and socio-environmental justice if they are integrated into environmental management and policy frameworks.

Keywords:
Valuation of natural resources; ecological distribution conflicts; sustainable local practices; agroforestry producers; Galapagos Islands