Determination of the Natural Plant Coverage of the Eloy Alfaro Canton Based on GIS, NW Ecuador

The current study quantifies and characterizes the types of the Natural Plant Coverage (NPC)within the Eloy Alfaro canton and its degrees of alteration by anthropic action. The methodology is based on the interdependent interpretation of products from remote sensors, with the support of the geographic information systems. The Eloy Alfaro canton, which is part of Colombian Chocó Corridor, covers a total area of 466,285.81 ha, of which 55.791% (260,146.72 ha)corresponds to the NPC, which comprises forests, shrubs, and moist herbaceous and wetland, highlighting the slightly altered rainforest with 46.141% (215,148.43 ha), followed by moderately altered rainforest with 3.761% of the total cantonal surface (17536.75 ha). The Ecological Reserves Cotacachi-Cayapas and Cayapas-Mataje as well as the Pambilar Wildlife Refuge, which are part of the Governmental Natural areas Heritage (PANE), occupy a total of 147,486.78 has corresponding to 31.630% of the canton surface. The complete surface area of the Eloy Alfaro canton has been characterized and evaluated for its present alteration by the multiple anthropic activities, allowing a general view of the given circumstances of the actual stage of the NPC. Such detailed evaluation and diagnostic mapping are a key tools for any plan of prevention of further potential alteration of the NPC.