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Co-Evolution and Bio-Social Construction: The Kichwa Agroforestry Systems ( Chakras ) in the Ecuadorian Amazonia

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Coq-Huelva

    (Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, Sevilla 41005, Spain)

  • Angie Higuchi

    (Department of Business Administration, Universidad del Pacífico, Jesús María 15072, Peru)

  • Rafaela Alfalla-Luque

    (GIDEAO Research Group, Departamento de Economía Financiera y Dirección de Operaciones, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Ramón y Cajal 1, Sevilla 41005, Spain)

  • Ricardo Burgos-Morán

    (Departments of Earth and Life Sciences, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, 160101 Puyo, Ecuador)

  • Ruth Arias-Gutiérrez

    (School of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, 160101 Puyo, Ecuador)

Abstract

Polycultured agrarian systems in Ecuadorian Amazonia (also called chakras or swollen gardens) are characterised by a market-oriented crop for the generation of monetary income, for example, cocoa, other agricultural products (e.g., banana and cassava), and livestock for family farm consumption. Moreover, a chakra is an outstanding example of agroforestry production, in which ecological, social and economic elements co-evolve from a set of close and strong connections. In this context, the conservation and transformation of their biological subsystems can be understood as the result of complex interactions between anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic factors. In turn, such interactions are essential to provide food and monetary income to the indigenous community. Relevant agency capabilities exist that could cause an agroforestry system to take a different path of co-evolution, that is, towards greater or lesser sustainability associated with different levels of complexity. In conclusion, chakras have key ecological features that can mitigate the impact of human population growth in Amazonia. Additionally, chakras have their own processes of social self-regulation which enhance the possibilities of adaptation of Kichwa communities to changing environmental conditions, being essential elements in local food sovereignty, equitable gender relations and the respect of ancestral wisdom.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Coq-Huelva & Angie Higuchi & Rafaela Alfalla-Luque & Ricardo Burgos-Morán & Ruth Arias-Gutiérrez, 2017. "Co-Evolution and Bio-Social Construction: The Kichwa Agroforestry Systems ( Chakras ) in the Ecuadorian Amazonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1920-:d:116163
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    2. Ojeda Luna, Tatiana & Zhunusova, Eliza & Günter, Sven & Dieter, Matthias, 2020. "Measuring forest and agricultural income in the Ecuadorian lowland rainforest frontiers: Do deforestation and conservation strategies matter?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    3. Claudia de Brito Quadros Gonçalves & Madalena Maria Schlindwein & Gabrielli do Carmo Martinelli, 2021. "Agroforestry Systems: A Systematic Review Focusing on Traditional Indigenous Practices, Food and Nutrition Security, Economic Viability, and the Role of Women," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    4. Jilmar Castañeda-Ccori & Anne-Gaël Bilhaut & Armelle Mazé & Juan Fernández-Manjarrés, 2020. "Unveiling Cacao Agroforestry Sustainability through the Socio-Ecological Systems Diagnostic Framework: The Case of Four Amazonian Rural Communities in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Vasco, Cristian & Torres, Bolier & Jácome, Estefanía & Torres, Alexandra & Eche, David & Velasco, Christian, 2021. "Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in frontier areas: A case study in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    6. Lippe, Melvin & Rummel, Lisa & Günter, Sven, 2022. "Simulating land use and land cover change under contrasting levels of policy enforcement and its spatially-explicit impact on tropical forest landscapes in Ecuador," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    7. Bolier Torres & Cristian Vasco & Sven Günter & Thomas Knoke, 2018. "Determinants of Agricultural Diversification in a Hotspot Area: Evidence from Colonist and Indigenous Communities in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, May.

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