- Biodiversity and community structure
- Biogeography and phylogenetics
- Conservation biology
- Identification of sentinel species
- Evolutionary and functional ecology
- Ecosystem services (see also School of Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Sciences)
- Agroecology and native crops (see also School of Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Sciences)
With 20% of Ecuador’s megadiverse territory within the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP in Spanish), the conservation of biodiversity and the ecological processes that depend on it is a priority for Ecuador. The School will contribute to the description of this vast biodiversity and will develop ecological and biogeographical studies that help protect native species, with an emphasis on endemic and threatened species, and native species of social or economic interest, including those that have been domesticated. The identification of native sentinel or biosensor species of each region of the country will allow to establish variations in ecological habitats, which may be correlated with natural impacts and/or anthropogenic actions for the taking of conservation measures. The School will work on ex situ, in situ or in situ conservation programs, including reforestation and ecological restoration strategies. The Yachay Botanical Garden, which will be operated by qualified infrastructure and research personnel, will actively collaborate in these conservation projects. Evolutionary and functional ecology will be the link between genetics and its application in the conservation of species and the ecosystem services they provide. These services not only make our life and existence as a species and civilization possible, but also support many productive activities, both in agricultural and urban areas.