MONITOREO DE ENFERMEDADES EN PLANTAS Y ANIMALES SILVESTRES: UNA HERRAMIENTA EDUCATIVA ESENCIAL EN LA GESTIÓN AMBIENTAL ECUATORIANA

Asterio Barbarú-Grajales; Sandra Elizabeth Suárez-Cedillo; Tannia Jazmín Vargas-Tierras; Karel Ismar Acosta-Pérez

Authors

Asterio Barbarú-Grajales Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). Sede Orellana, Grupo de Investigación INFOSO, Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2862-4558
Sandra Elizabeth Suárez-Cedillo Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). Sede Orellana. Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3148-7897
Tannia Jazmín Vargas-Tierras Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). Sede Orellana. Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4777-4559
Karel Ismar Acosta-Pérez Universidad de Las Tunas. Centro de Estudios de Desarrollo Agrario de Las Tunas (CEDAT). Cuba https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1599-1030

Keywords:

education; monitoring; diseases; ecosystem; Amazon.

Abstract

Monitoring diseases in wild plants and animals is crucial to measuring the success of environmental policies and management in Ecuador, and it is also presented as an invaluable educational tool. Its effective implementation not only prevents the spread of diseases and protects biodiversity, but also serves as an academic basis to raise awareness and train future generations of scientists and citizens committed to sustainability. The study aims to synthesize the causes of the appearance of diseases in wild plants and animals and evaluate the impact of climate change on ecosystems, to develop educational and research programs in the Amazon region of Ecuador. As part of the methodology, reliable and relevant sources of information were selected from specialized databases, which allowed not only to identify relevant studies, but also to pose specific educational challenges around disease monitoring. Ecuador, being a megadiverse country, offers a perfect setting for students and academics to actively participate in epidemiological surveillance, sample collection, and laboratory testing, thus enriching their academic and practical training. It is concluded that, for successful monitoring, it is necessary not only to develop specific programs that systematically collect data, but also to design educational strategies that motivate and train participants, strengthening their understanding of the importance of the health of ecosystems and their conservation.

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