摘要：Tropical Andes are subjected to severe land use/land cover (LULC) changes that significantlyalter the capacity of the landscape to provide ecological functions for supporting humanwell-being. The aim of the study is (a) to investigate the LULC changes in the EcologicalCorridor Llaganantes-Sangay (Corredor Ecológico Llanganates-Sangay) (Central Ecuador), abuffer semi-protected area, during the period 2000–2014 and (b) to analyse their possibleconsequences on ecosystem services (ESs) provision. The analysis was performed using LULCmaps of 2000, 2008 and 2014. ESs were analysed using the ‘landscape capacity’ index, whichis based on a multi-criteria assessment framework. The study captured an extremely rapidLULC transition from croplands to pastures during 2008–2014 below the 2000-m altitude,which was followed by a respective rapid socio-economic change of the local society. Thelandscape index changes were insignificant showing a slight decrease (−1.92%) during2000–2014. Although the overall coverage of natural ecosystems slightly increased during2000–2014, it was found that the passive landscape conservation might not be sufficient tomaintain ESs provision. This was justified by the different ESs contribution between foresttypes but also by urbanization, agriculture abandonment and pasture expansion.
关键词：Land use change;ecosystemservices;landscape capacityindex;tropical forests;pastures;agricultural landabandonment;protectedarea
