This study examined how the application of a concrete series of activities to protect the páramo in the central Andes of Ecuador can be compared with social technology. This is understood as a way of developing, implementing, or managing technology in interaction with the population, with the aim of generating dynamics of social inclusion, improvement of living conditions, and sustainable development. A mixed methodology was used, including quantitative analysis based on satellite images available for 3 periods (1986–2000, 2000–2008, and 2013–2021) to determine páramo loss, and qualitative research to understand the relationship of communities to páramo changes. The patterns of land-use change, the situation of the páramo, and the main actions to protect the ecosystem were identified. The results showed that from the first to the second period, there was a loss of 17.2% of the páramo, while from the second to the third period, the loss decreased to 3.3%. This improvement can be attributed to the delimitation of conservation areas within communal areas, accompanied by restoration, a change in the dynamics of livestock ownership, and the creation of socioeconomic alternatives for farmers in the lowlands. This set of actions addresses 3 key issues: land use, livestock management, and community governance. We consider these actions to be social technologies because the conservation measures were adopted by an empowered community, open to cooperation and agreements, that understands the importance of protecting the páramo so that they and those living in the lower basins have access to water. This management vision is supported by several organizations working in the area and represents a line of action that the authorities should promote to prevent further loss of the páramo while simultaneously providing livelihood opportunities for the inhabitants of the area.

中文翻译：

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保护厄瓜多尔安第斯山脉中部帕拉莫的社会技术

本研究探讨了如何将厄瓜多尔安第斯山脉中部帕拉莫保护区的一系列具体活动的应用与社会技术进行比较。这被理解为一种开发、实施或管理与民众互动的技术的方式，其目的是产生社会包容、改善生活条件和可持续发展的动力。采用混合方法，包括基于 3 个时期（1986-2000 年、2000-2008 年和 2013-2021 年）可用的卫星图像进行定量分析以确定帕拉莫损失，以及定性研究以了解群落与帕拉莫变化的关系。确定了土地利用变化的模式、帕拉莫的状况以及保护生态系统的主要行动。结果显示，从第一期到第二期，帕拉莫损失了17.2%，而从第二期到第三期，损失减少到3.3%。这种改善可归因于公共区域内保护区的划定，伴随着恢复、牲畜所有权动态的变化以及为低地农民创造社会经济替代方案。这组行动解决了 3 个关键问题：土地利用、牲畜管理和社区治理。我们认为这些行动是社会技术，因为保护措施是由一个有权合作和达成协议的社区采取的，他们了解保护帕拉莫的重要性，以便他们和生活在下游流域的人们能够获得水。这一管理愿景得到了该地区多个组织的支持，并代表了当局应推动的一项行动方针，以防止帕拉莫进一步丧失，同时为该地区的居民提供生计机会。