Ecuadorian Landscape National legislation contrasted to regional and international landscape policies

The geographic location of Ecuador together with its wide altitude range as well as volcanic activity related to the Andean uplift, has granted it a privileged natural landscape characterized by its high biodiversity and exceptional view-sheds. Ecuador has three World Heritage Sites that are located along the glacial valleys and mountain chains of the Andean Mountain Range, where pronounced slopes and constantly changing land use makes them especially vulnerable to landscape alterations. Ecuadorian landscapes are exclusive testimonies of human interaction with the natural environment, giving way to cultural landscapes with prominent historic value. This paper pretends to make some recommendations to develop policies regarding the protection of Ecuadorian landscapes. The aim is to contribute to the debate by reflecting on the current national policies and regulations regarding Landscape and comparing them with the state of art in the region and the rest of the world.