Abstract This article examines the circulation of knowledge about Cinchona plants. Francisco José de Caldas and Alexander von Humboldt were interested in their taxonomy, distribution, trade, exploitation, production and conservation. The former’s observations were better, but his contributions were silenced by Humboldt and other actors such as José Celestino Mutis. Caldas changed from a passive position of accepted subordination to one of self-advocacy, but his arguments were not widely publicized, in part because his results did not favor commercial interests and he lacked connections. Caldas used similar techniques to Humboldt to appropriate and systematize knowledge about cinchonas, silencing various sources.

Resumen El artículo reflexiona sobre la circulación de conocimiento en torno a las plantas de quina. Francisco José de Caldas y Alexander von Humboldt se interesaron por su taxonomía, distribución, comercio, explotación, producción y conservación. Las observaciones del primero fueron mejores, pero sus aportes fueron silenciados por el segundo y por otros actores como José Celestino Mutis. Caldas cambió desde una posición pasiva y de aceptada subalternidad, hasta una de reclamo, pero sus argumentos no tuvieron mayor difusión, en parte porque sus resultados no favorecían intereses comerciales y carecía de redes. Caldas usó dispositivos similares a los de Humboldt para apropiar y sistematizar conocimientos sobre las quinas, silenciando a varias fuentes.

Resumo A Adaptação Baseada em Ecossistemas (EbA) requer da aprendizagem social e da coordenação entre atores em diferentes níveis, sob Co-Manejo Adaptativo (CMA), especialmente em paisagens com grande biodiversidade e vulnerabilidade como os Andes Tropicais. Metodologia: Uma metodologia multicritério em cinco fases foi desenhada e aplicada, para identificar, caracterizar, selecionar e avaliar o CMA e as condições que o limitam ou potenciam nas ações da EBA desenvolvidas entre 2011 e 2015. Resultados: 1. A integração de conservação, restauração e produção sustentável, e a articulação de instituições e setores com base na liderança local, facilitam a co-produção de conhecimento, aprendizagem social e inovação. 2. O planejamento e a governança sob uma abordagem de paisagem, e o reconhecimento da diversidade de contextos, promovem o diálogo, a cooperação e a inovação institucional. 3. Alternativas econômicas de produção e comercialização, transferências adequadas e completas de tecnologia, financiamento estável e monitoramento permanente, fomentam a sustentabilidade.

Abstract Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) requires social learning and linkages between actors and levels under Adaptive Co-Management (ACM), especially in landscapes with high biodiversity and vulnerability, such as the Tropical Andes. Methodology: A multicriteria methodology was designed and applied to identify, characterize, select and evaluate the ACM and the constraining and enabling conditions for its effectiveness in EbA actions implemented between 2011 and 2015. Results: 1. The integration of conservation, restoration and sustainable production, and linkage among institutions and sectors through local leadership, enable knowledge coproduction, social learning and innovation. 2. Governance and planning based on a landscape approach, and acknowledgment of the diversity of contexts, promote dialogue, cooperation and institutional innovation. 3. Economic alternatives in production, marketing and local markets, as well as complete and adequate technology transfers, stable and planned funding and monitoring, promote sustainability.

Resumen La Adaptación Basada en Ecosistemas (AbE) requiere de aprendizaje social y coordinación entre actores a distintos niveles, bajo Co-Manejo Adaptativo (CMA), especialmente en paisajes con gran biodiversidad y vulnerabilidad como los Andes Tropicales. Metodología: Se diseñó y aplicó una metodología multicriterio en cinco fases, para identificar, caracterizar, seleccionar y evaluar el CMA y las condiciones que lo limitan o potencian en acciones de AbE implementadas entre 2011 y 2015. Resultados: 1. La integración de conservación, restauración y producción sustentable, y la articulación de instituciones y sectores con base en el liderazgo local, facilita la coproducción de conocimiento, el aprendizaje social y la innovación. 2. La planificación y gobernanza bajo enfoque de paisaje y el reconocimiento de la diversidad de contextos, promueven diálogo, cooperación e innovación institucional. 3. Alternativas económicas de producción y comercialización, transferencias adecuadas y completas de tecnología, financiamiento estable y monitoreo planificado y permanente, fomentan la sustentabilidad.

Abstract An investigation was carried out on the sustainability of 86 urban and peri-urban orchards in Quito in 2012, framed in three public and private management models. Sustainability was measured through 26 indicators, and 36 economic, environmental, sociocultural and technological sub-indicators, along with qualitative information obtained through semi-structured interviews. Although all the gardens were above the sustainability threshold, there are some aspects that need to be reviewed to improve their performance, related to water, seeds, and technical assistance, among others.

Resumen Se realizó una investigación sobre la sustentabilidad de 86 huertas urbanas y periurbanas en Quito en 2012, enmarcadas en tres modelos de gestión públicos y privados. La sustentabilidad fue medida mediante 26 indicadores, y 36 subindicadores económicos, ambientales, socioculturales y tecnológicos, junto con información cualitativa obtenida mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Si bien todas las huertas estuvieron sobre el umbral de sustentabilidad, se apuntan aspectos que requieren ser revisados para mejorar su desempeño, relacionados con el agua, semillas, asistencia técnica, entre otros.

Abstract We analyze the history of bioremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum in the Ecuadorian Amazon from 1994 to 2014. Although there were some technoscientific “successes,” we argue that the opportunity to develop a process of scientific excellence was thwarted by lack of an institutional framework and the political will to oversee research and innovation. Dependence on foreign technology, insufficient internal coordination among research programs and institutions, corruption, lack of a national tradition of biotechnological innovation, the predominance of “biopeons,” and a dichotomy between oil and the environment all influenced this process. We discuss these issues in relation to science and technology on the periphery and examine what is needed to consolidate technoscientific processes of excellence in those territories.

Resumen Se analiza la historia de la biorremediación de suelos contaminados con petróleo en la Amazonía ecuatoriana desde 1994 hasta 2014. Constatamos que si bien hubo “éxitos” tecnocientíficos, la oportunidad de cimentar un proceso de excelencia científica se vio frustrada por la carencia de voluntad política para gestionar la investigación. Parecen haber influido la dependencia de tecnología extranjera, la poca articulación interna entre programas de investigación e instituciones, la corrupción, la poca tradición innovadora en la biotecnología nacional, el predominio de biobraceros y una dicotomía construida entre petróleo y ambiente. Se articulan estos resultados en torno a debates sobre ciencia y tecnología en la periferia y se reflexiona sobre aspectos necesarios para consolidar procesos tecnocientíficos de excelencia en estos territorios.

El artículo contiene una reflexión sobre la resiliencia en Quito desde la década de 1980 hasta el presente. Se distingue entre prácticas que contribuyen o no a tener una ciudad sustentable, relacionadas con la expansión urbana, la movilidad, la apropiación del agua, la contaminación del aire, los parques, la agricultura, la restauración ecológica y los residuos sólidos. Se observa que, pese a la cantidad creciente de actividades sustentables, predominan las insustentables. Se analiza el papel que podría tener la consideración de los derechos de la naturaleza y del derecho a la naturaleza para construir trayectorias de sustentabilidad.

The article contains a reflection on resilience in Quito, from c.1980 to the present. It is distinguished between practices that contribute or not to have a sustainable city, related to urban sprawl, mobility, appropriation of water, air pollution, parks, agriculture, ecological restoration and solid waste management. It is noted that despite the growing number of sustainable activities, unsustainable predominate. The role of the rights of nature, and of the rights to nature to build paths of sustainability, is analyzed.

O artigo contém uma reflexão sobre resiliência em Quito, desde c.1980 até o presente. Distingue-se entre as práticas que contribuem ou não para ter uma cidade sustentável, relacionadas com a expansão urbana, mobilidade, apropriação da água, poluição do ar, parques, agricultura, restauração ecológica e resíduos sólidos. Nota-se que, apesar do número crescente de atividades sustentáveis, predominam as insustentáveis. O papel dos direitos da natureza, e dos direitos a natureza, para de construir caminhos da sustentabilidade, é analisada.

Este artículo presenta mapas de América Latina y en especial de Ecuador, realizados por cartógrafos, científicos y planificadores estadounidenses durante e inmediatamente después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Algunos de estos mapas fueron confidenciales hasta hace pocas décadas, otros fueron públicos. Se analizan estos mapas como artefactos de poder, dibujos de los territorios utilizados para controlar las sociedades y la naturaleza y para construir hegemonía. Los mapas se abordan en tanto reflejos de un deseo estadounidense: el de construir el territorio latinoamericano como una bodega de materias primas complementarias a su economía y su producción. Se concluye que estos mapas fueron cruciales para la monopolización por parte de Estados Unidos de la extracción de las materias primas y para impulsar el desarrollo.

The article present maps of Latin America, especially of Ecuador, made by United States' cartographers, scientists and planners during and immediately after World War II. Some of these maps were confidential until recent decades, others were public. These maps are analyzed as artifacts of power, drawings of territories used to control societies and nature, and to build hegemony. The maps are understood as reflections of a United States' desire, to build the Latin American territory as a raw materials' warehouse, complementary to their economy and production. The article concludes that these maps were crucial to the United States monopolization of the extraction of raw materials, and to promote development.

Som apresentados mapas da América Latina, especialmente do Equador, feitos por cartógrafos, cientistas e planejadores norte-americanos durante e imediatamente após a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Alguns desses mapas eram confidenciais até as últimas décadas, outros foram públicos. Analisam-se esses mapas como artefatos de poder, desenhos dos territórios que são usados para controlar as sociedades e a natureza, e construir hegemonia. Entendem-se os mapas como reflexos de um desejo dos Estados Unidos, para construir o território latino-americano como um armazém de matérias-primas complementares para a sua economia e produção. Conclui-se que estes mapas foram cruciais para a monopolização pelos Estados Unidos da extração de matérias-primas e para promover o desenvolvimento.

Durante la década de 1940, Estados Unidos ejecutó en América Latina ambiciosos programas para explotar materias primas minerales, vegetales y animales, que requirieron la intervención de todo su potencial científico, económico y diplomático. Con estos programas se consolidaron las bases para el imperialismo sobre las materias primas, ejercido por Estados Unidos en la región desde la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Este trabajo se concentra en los mecanismos para fomentar la explotación de recursos vegetales e invita a la reflexión sobre los impactos que este modo de intervenir la naturaleza tuvo en el ambiente y en el desarrollo agrícola de la región.

During the 1940s, the United States undertook a series of ambitious programs to exploit raw materials -mineral, vegetable, and animal- in Latin America. These programs, which required the United States to use all its scientific, economic, and diplomatic weight, consolidated the commodity-based imperialism that it has exercised in the region since the middle of the twentieth century. This article focuses on the mechanisms that it employed to promote the exploitation of vegetable resources and reflects on the impacts that this form of intervention in nature has had on the environment and the agricultural development of the region.

During World War II, the United States implemented programs to exploit hundreds of raw materials in Latin America, many of them botanical. This required the participation of the country's scientific community and marked the beginning of intervention in Latin American countries characterized by the active participation of the United States in negotiations (and not only by private firms supported by the United States). Many federal institutions and companies were created, others were adapted, and universities, research centers and pharmaceutical companies were contracted. The programs undertaken by this coalition of institutions served to build and consolidate the dependence of Latin American countries on United States technology, to focus their economies on the extraction and development of resources that the United States could not obtain at home (known as "complementary") and to impede the development of competition. Latin American republics had been historically dependant on raw material exports (minerals and plants). But during World War II their dependence on US loans, markets, science and technology reached record levels. One example of this can be appreciated through a careful examination of the Cinchona Program, implemented in the 1940s by US agencies in Latin America. This program for the extraction of a single medicinal plant, apart from representing a new model of scientific imperialism (subsequently renamed "scientific cooperation") was the most intensive and extensive scientific exploration of a single medicinal plant in the history of mankind.