Finding a Balance Between Technical and Social Approaches for Supporting the Management of Singular Ecosystems

Alexandra Urán1, John Escobar1, Vanesa Paredes2, Juan Valdés3, and Esteban Zapata3

1. University of Antioquia, Colombia

2. CorpoUrabá Regional Governmental Agency, Apartado, Colombia

3. Colombian Polytechnic Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Colombia

Abstract: One of the greatest objectives of territorial studies is to develop forms of management where there is a balance between social demand and the capacity of nature; one that accounts for the dialectical relationship that is held between dogmatic-technical and cultural-holistic approaches. As there are no explicit agreements about the methodologies that can be used to address these challenges, it becomes necessary to rely on an exploration of techniques from the environmental and social sciences. These techniques serve as a logistical support for establishing a common language in order to perform assessments and establish agreements that help develop supportive strategies for planning and decision-making in the management of singular ecosystems, as unique as paramos, which are found in unnoticed and specific locations throughout the world (the majority of which are in the Andes and more than half of which are in Colombia). As a result of these issues, the Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Urabá (CorpoUrabá, “Corporation for the Sustainable Development of Urabá”), in collaboration with the Universidad de Antioquia, propose a battery of instruments including FAS networks, PSR methods and social cartography, using geographic information systems and remote sensing as major tools that can

support the management of these processes.

Key words: spatial decision support systems, paramo