There exist only a few studies regarding desertification level of dry lands in the country; nevertheless, 27% of the surface (5'998.341 ha) presents an evaporation-transpiration relation potential/ precipitation which is equal or lower than one, that surfaces belong to the called ecosystems "Dry Forest", corresponding to those areas inclined to desertification.

 

The irrational exploitation of natural resources is considered to be the fundamental cause which determines the desertification processes in the country. About 47,9 % of the national territory is affected by erosion problems (123.555 square km). The deforestation rate in the country is 2,3%, represents the main cause of the 92% of natural vegetable cover lost.

 

The provinces most affected by desertification are Manabí on the Coast and Loja and Chimborazo on the mountains, where the erosion processes have destroyed between 55 and 75 % of the surface and, at the same time poverty affects 64-80 % of the population. The absence of productive land and drought intense periods has been the main causes of emigration. Between 3,4% and 7,6% of the population from these regions have emigrated to other parts of the country or abroad, mainly to the United States, Spain and Italy.

In the dry area corresponding to the south-western region of Loja province, particularly in Macará and Zapotillo regions, important investigation and development projects were carried in the last years, with the perspective of fighting against desertification, trough the optimum use of water in agro-forestry systems, which include the regeneration of the dry forest and the rational goat handling.

 

Consequently in the frame of the specifications established in WAFLA project, have been selected the communities of Laguar in the micro-watershed Totumos from Macará region, and Malvas in the micro-watershed Malvas in Zapotillo

The networks and associations selected as target areas of the WAFLA project, in the two micro-watershed, are the following:

 

Grupo de interés de Malvas (Interest Group of Malvas)

Grupo de Interés de Laguar (Interest group of Laguar)

Microempresa de Algodón de Ceibo (Microenterprise of Cotton of Ceibo)

Microempresa de Productos Lácteos (Microenterprise of Dairy products)

Asociación Agricultores de Zapotillo (Association of Zapotillo Farmers)

Junta Parroquial de Garza Real (Parish Board of Garza Real)

Asociación Capricultores de Zapotillo (Association of Zapotillo Goat Farmers)

Fondo de Inversión Social de Emergencia – FISE (Social Emergency Investment Fund – FISE)