Effects Of Climate Change On Food Security: A Systematic Review Of The Vulnerability Of Staple Crops In The Andean Region Of Ecuador.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v4i4.510Keywords:
Food Security; Climate Change; Andean CropsAbstract
In the high mountains of Ecuador, agriculture is vital for food security and conserves rich agrobiodiversity. However, these systems are extremely vulnerable to climate stress. A recent study (2015-2022) assessed the impact on staple crops such as maize, potatoes, quinoa, and tree tomato. The results are conclusive: climate change is already wreaking havoc. Maize and potatoes, cornerstones of the diet, have seen their cultivated areas reduced by 55% and 39.5%, respectively, due to losses from droughts, frosts, and floods. . (Guerrero-Vásquez et al., 2025)
The water crisis is key. Glacial retreat and a pattern of more intense but less frequent rainfall exacerbate scarcity, forcing farmers to move their crops to higher altitudes. Vulnerability varies by region: the Central Zone is very sensitive to rainfall, while the Southern Zone suffers more from drought.
In this context, quinoa emerges as a ray of hope due to its resilience to drought and frost, although its production still depends on rainfall during key months. It is concluded that climate change severely exacerbates the risks of food insecurity. Adaptation is urgent and requires specific strategies for each region and crop. Crucial measures include improving irrigation systems, reviving ancestral technologies such as waru-waru (raised fields), and promoting a shift towards more resilient varieties or crops, such as quinoa. Protecting these systems is fundamental to the livelihoods of Andean communities. (Guerrero-Vásquez et al., 2025)
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