The 34th edition of “Chela Científica,” organized by ESPOL Divulga, took place at the Pop Up Theater in Guayaquil, further establishing this venue as a meeting place for the scientific community and members of the public interested in environmental management. Under the theme “The Hidden Power of the Tropical Dry Forest,” the discussion promoted an analysis of the strategic importance of this ecosystem for the region and its contribution to sustainable development.
The event featured Maribel Aguilar, a professor and researcher at the Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT) and coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Geosciences Applied to Sustainable Development at the Center for Research and Applied Projects in Geosciences (CIPAT). During her presentation, she highlighted the role of Water Harvesting and Storage Techniques (SyCA) as Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for sustainable water resource management. “These techniques are not only tools for sustainable water resource management but also fundamental pillars for biodiversity conservation in arid and semi-arid zones,” she noted during the discussion.
The conference addressed four key themes: the contribution of the geosciences to understanding the territory, the role of the dry forest as natural infrastructure in the face of climate change, the relationship between geodiversity and sustainability, and international academic cooperation as a driver of environmental solutions. These themes highlight the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with conservation strategies that contribute to the well-being of communities and the responsible use of natural resources.
The initiative strengthens the link between academia and society, promoting scientific outreach as a tool to raise awareness about the protection of strategic ecosystems. Furthermore, it demonstrates the contribution of geoscience research to informed decision-making in public policy and the country’s environmental management.
