Title: The socio-economic and environmental impacts on gravel mining in rivers: a case study in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region

Authors: Liliana Bárbara Sarduy-Pereira; Maria Katharina Elisabeth De Decker; Amaury Pérez-Martínez; Gerardo M. Casañola-Martin; Karel Diéguez-Santana

Addresses: Unidad Educativa Fiscomisional Cristóbal Colón, Parroquia Shell, Cantón Mera, Pastaza, Ecuador ' Facultad Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Paso Lateral km. 2 ½ via Tena, Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador ' Facultad Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Paso Lateral km. 2 ½ via Tena, Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador ' Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA ' Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Parroquia Muyuna km. 7 vía Alto Tena, 150150, Tena-Napo, Ecuador

Abstract: This article examines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of gravel mining in the community of San Pedro, Ecuador. Data collection from primary sources was carried out through a case study of the community by means of household-level surveys in 2015. These surveys and the community's perceptions about mining activities were considered. It explores community solutions according to the establishment of environmental measures in order to avoid the risks of flooding and direct damage to the environment. Most of the gravel mining is carried out in the river with environmental impacts such as disruption of river courses, landscape involvement and the depletion of biodiversity resources. Population show approval if appropriate measures of mining practices are taken with following environmental restoration. Community involvement of proper exploitation planning of gravel minerals, the creation of other income-generating activities and environmental restoration criteria are presented and discussed.

Keywords: socio-environmental impact; River Tena; gravel extraction; rural community.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2024.136261

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2024 Vol.16 No.1, pp.1 - 20

Received: 12 Jul 2021
Received in revised form: 18 Aug 2022
Accepted: 26 Oct 2022
Published online: 25 Jan 2024 *

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