Percepción ambiental de habitantes de comunidades que viven aledañas al ecosistema manglar. El caso de la comunidad de Bunche, en Muisne, Ecuador.

The purpose of this work is to identify the socio-environmental problem of mangrove conservation areas, seen from the perspective of the inhabitants who live in close relationship with these ecosystems. The Bunche community was chosen for this work, the community is in the southern coast of the Province of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. The main objective of this research is to determine the perception of the members of the study community and external actors (other associations, authorities, academia, and non-governmental organizations that operate in the territory), regarding socio-environmental conflicts present in the territory; focusing on the mangrove ecosystem. The methodology used was within the qualitative paradigm and used semi-structured interviews and dialogue workshops with the population. The workshops were designed as an environmental education conversation. Three dialogue workshops were held: one with the community, another with external actors, and another with members of the academy. The socio-environmental perception obtained from the inhabitants was: the presence of the shrimp industry is the main threat, according to the inhabitants. Other socio-environmental issues of importance to the population are: lack of economic income, pollution of mangroves, lack of presence of public institutions, and overexploitation of natural resources of mangroves. The solutions that are proposed from the community are integral and cooperative among all its members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]