Strengthening governance mechanisms and protection of the community conservation area in the Portoviejo River Estuary, Manabí, Ecuador

Overview

The Portoviejo River Estuary Biocorridor in Manabí, Ecuador, is a socio-ecological production landscape facing severe environmental and social pressures. Mangrove degradation, river pollution, land-use change, extractive activities and climate-related risks threaten the integrity of ecosystems that sustain the livelihoods of more than 3,000 people engaged in artisanal fishing, artisanal salt production, ecological rice farming and community-based tourism. Historically, governance was fragmented, and communities lacked the institutional support and tools required for effective territorial management.
With limited resources and a short, one-year implementation period, the project focused on strengthening community governance and fostering coordinated action among local actors. Its main objective was to improve the management of the Community Conservation and Sustainable Use Area (ACUS), covering 238.89 ha with a 785.17-ha buffer zone, while supporting ecosystem integrity and sustainable livelihoods.
Key achievements include consolidating the Environmental Community Coordinator—comprising five communes—as the central governance body and advancing it to the final stage of OECM recognition. A community-based Control and Surveillance Plan was developed and implemented, supported by the training of community park rangers and the introduction of SMART technology for standardised monitoring. Awareness and outreach efforts reached more than 255,000 people, enhancing public support for mangrove, estuary, beach, dune and salt-flat conservation. The project also supported the maintenance of 40 hectares of organic rice production, reinforcing the connection between sustainable production and biodiversity conservation.
Despite its limited timeframe and resources, the project successfully laid the foundation for long-term SEPLS resilience by strengthening governance, enabling multi-actor coordination and reinforcing nature-based livelihoods.

Key achievements

The project achieved significant advances in community-led conservation and governance of the Portoviejo River Estuary SEPLS. The Environmental Community Coordinator—composed of five communes—strengthened its organisational, technical and decision-making capacities, reaching the final stage for official OECM recognition. A community-based control and surveillance system was developed and implemented, including the training of community park rangers and the integration of SMART technology for ecosystem monitoring. Public awareness increased substantially, with more than 255,000 people reached through a digital communication campaign and community meetings, reinforcing support for mangrove, estuary, beach, dune and salt-flat conservation. Additionally, the project supported the continued management of 40 hectares of organic rice fields, contributing to both biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Multi-actor coordination through the Biocorridor Working Group (MTB) proved essential, enabling collaboration among more than 20 institutions and ensuring coherent, territory-wide action for long-term SEPLS resilience.

Lessons

The project demonstrated that effective SEPLS conservation requires community leadership supported by strong institutional collaboration. Strengthening governance structures before implementing technical actions proved essential, as the Environmental Community Coordinator became the anchor for all subsequent processes, including OECM recognition and the implementation of the Control and Surveillance Plan. Multi-actor platforms such as the MTB ensure complementary roles, prevent duplicated efforts and enhance territorial coherence. The use of SMART technology showed the importance of integrating community monitoring with national-level systems for improved decision-making. Awareness campaigns revealed that large-scale communication can significantly increase public support for conservation and community tourism. However, external factors—such as insecurity in coastal areas—highlight the need for adaptive strategies and diversified community livelihoods. Finally, the success of organic rice production underscores the value of linking sustainable production with ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.

• Community-led governance, supported by multi-actor coordination and ecosystem-based livelihoods, is vital for strengthening SEPLS resilience and long-term conservation.