ECUADOR –    Ecosystem services —the benefits that nature provides to society, such as clean water, pure air, food, climate regulation, and recreation— are essential to human well-being. Their preservation is key to addressing current environmental challenges and ensuring long-term sustainability.

In Ecuador, Aglomerados Cotopaxi’s forest plantations, covering more than 17,629 hectares, stand as a model of how responsible management can sustain and enhance these benefits. Through a sustainable forestry model, the company supports five key ecosystem services:

1. Water regulation: The forested basins help retain and preserve water quality, benefiting nearby communities and irrigation systems. The company has installed weirs to measure natural water flows in partnership with Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, and its Water Governance Program has formalized over 38 community agreements, promoting responsible water use among the State, communities, and private owners.
2. Carbon capture: Pine and eucalyptus plantations play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing and storing atmospheric CO₂. Monitoring projects provide valuable technical data on the forests’ climate-stabilizing capacity.
3. Biodiversity conservation: Over 5,000 hectares are designated as High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, protecting habitats of vulnerable species and maintaining ecological corridors that strengthen the resilience of local flora and fauna.
4. Soil regeneration: Sustainable forestry practices, such as crop rotation, erosion control, and organic matter use, help maintain soil fertility and ensure long-term productivity.
5. Recreation and education: The 1,300-hectare Aglomerados Cotopaxi Bike Park promotes outdoor sports, tourism, and environmental education. These areas foster citizen engagement and awareness about the importance of sustainable forest management.

Through these initiatives, Aglomerados Cotopaxi’s plantations have evolved beyond productive spaces to become vital territories of connection between people and nature —a living example of sustainability in action.