Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

Research interests

• Taxonomy and ecology of behavior, populations, and communities of aquatic insects
• Decomposition of organic matter in tropical rivers
• Effects and responses of lotic ecosystems to anthropogenic alterations.
• Influence of hydrology and its interaction with species and communities in rivers and streams
• Establishment of ecological flows to contribute to the maintenance of the biodiversity and ecological functioning of rivers
• Establishment of water quality using aquatic bio-monitoring tools
• Conservation and restoration of lotic ecosystems

Current projects

• Functionality and Ecological Quality of the high Andean rivers. FUCARA Project (link) AECID Financing, the project in the fifth year of execution, almost completed, currently in writing scientific articles.
• Litter decomposition in tropical streams. Funding IMAR (link) and FCT (link), the project in the sixth year of execution, and currently in writing scientific articles.
• Diversity of producers and consumers and its effects on ecosystem function in temperate and tropical streams. Funding IMAR, NGS, Cornell University, and Chancellor Grants Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Project in the third year of execution and currently in writing scientific articles.
• Dimensions: Collaborative Research: An integrative traits-based approach to predicting variation in the vulnerability of tropical and temperate stream biodiversity to climate change. EVOTRAC project (link). Funding National Science Foundation through collaboration with Colorado State University, Cornell University, and the University of Nebraska. Project in the first year of execution, data collection, and design of experiments.

Peer review papers
Peer review papers

• Gill, Brian; Kondratieff, Boris; Casner, Kayce; Encalada, C. Andrea; Flecker, Alex; Gannon, Dustin; Ghalambor, Cameron; Guayasamin, Juan; Poff, LeRoy; Simmons, Mark; Thomas, Steven; Zamudio, Kelly; Funk, W. Chris. In press. Cryptic species diversity reveals biogeographic support for the 'Mountain Passes Are Higher in the Tropics' Hypothesis. Proc. R. Soc. B.
• Boyero, L. Pearson, RG, Swan, CM, Hui, C., Gessner, MO, Pérez, J., Alexandrou, MA, Graca MAS, Cardinale BJ, Albariño, RJ, Arunachalam, M., Barmuta, LA, Boulton , AJ, Bruder, A., Callisto, M., Chauvet E., Death, R., Dudgeon, D., Encalada, AC, Ferreira, V., Figueroa, R., Flecker AS, Goncalvez, Jr., Helson JE, Iwata T., Jinggut T., Mathooko, JM, Mathuriau, C., M'Erimba, C. Moretti MS, Pringle, M., Ramirez, A., Ratnarajah, L., Rincón, J. & CM Yule . 2016. Biotic and abiotic variables influencing plant litter breakdown in streams: a global study. Proc. R. Soc. B 283: 20152664. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.2664
• Auerbach, D. A., Buchanan, B. P., Alexiades, A. V., Anderson, E. P. Encalada, A. C., Larson, E. I. McManamay, R. A. Poe, G. L. Walter, M. T. and A. S. Flecker. 2016. Towards catchment classification in data-scarce regions. Ecohydrology. doi: 10. 1002 / eco.1721.
• Finn D. S., Encalada, A. C., & H. Hampel. 2016. Evidence for isolation among mountains but not between stream types in Ecuador’s highest altitude mayfly. Freshwater Science.
• Cordero-Rivera, A., Encalada, A. C., Sánchez-Guillén, R. A., Santolamazza-Carbone S. & N. von Ellenrieder. 2016. The status of Rhionaeschna galapagoensis (Currie, 1901) with notes on its biology and a description of its ultimate instar larva (Odonata: Aeshnidae). Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 39. 1
• Boyero, L. Pearson, RG, Swan, CM, Hui, C., Albariño, RJ, Arunachalam, M., Callisto, M., Chará, J. Chará-Serna AC, Chauvet E., Cornejo, A., Dudgeon , D., Encalada, AC, Ferreira, V., Gessner, MG Gonçalves Jr, JF, Graça, MAS, Helson JE, Mathooko, JM, McKie, BG, Moretti MS & CM Yule. 2015. Latitudinal gradient of nestedness and its potential drivers in stream detritivores. Ecography 38: 949–955, 2015. doi: 10.1111 / ecog.00982.
• We saw, D. J., Encalada, A. C., Ríos-Touma, B., Suárez E. & N. Prat. 2015. Effects of exotic trout on benthic communities in High-Andean tropical streams. Freshwater Science 34 (2): 000-000. doi: 10. 1086/681540.
• Boyero et al. 2015. Leaf litter breakdown in tropical streams: is variability the norm? Freshwater Science 34 (2): 000–000. doi: 10.1086 / 681093.
• Graça, M. A. S., Ferreira V., Canhoto C., Encalada A. C., Guerrero-BolañoF., Wantzen K. M. & L. Boyero. 2015. A conceptual model of litter breakdown in low order streams. International Review of Hydrobiology 100: 1–12. doi: 10.1002 / iroh.201401757.
• Heino J., Melo A. S., Bini L. M., et al. 2015. A comparative analysis reveals weak relationships between ecological factors and beta diversity of stream insect metacommunities at two spatial levels. Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10. 1002 / ece3. 1439.
• Swing, K., Denkinger, J., Carvajal L. V, Encalada, AC, Silva X., Coloma LA, Guerra JF, Campos Yánez, F., Zak, V., Riera P., Rivadeneira, JF, & H Valdebenito. 2014. Scientific collections: perceptions and truths about their value and need. Academic Logbook USFQ 1: 1-46.
• Araújo, C., Moreira-Santos, M, Sousa, J. P., Ochoa-Herrera, V., Encalada, A. C. & R. Ribeiro. 2014. Contaminants as habitat disturbers: PAH-driven drift by Andean páramo stream insects. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 108: 89–94.
• Araújo, C., Moreira-Santos, M, Sousa, J. P., Ochoa-Herrera, V., Encalada, A. C. & R. Ribeiro. 2014. Active avoidance from a crude oil soluble fraction by an Andean páramo copepod. Ecotoxicology. doi: 10.1007 / s10646-014-1268-9.
• Knee, K. L. & A. C. Encalada, 2013. Land Use and Water Quality in a Rural Cloud Forest Region (Intag, Ecuador). River Res. Applic. doi: 10.1002 / rra. 2634: 1535-1467.
• Suárez E., Arcos E., Moreno C., Encalada, A. C. and M. Álvarez. 2013. Influence of vegetation types and ground cover on soil water infiltration capacity in a high-altitude páramo ecosystem. Advances in Science and Engineering. Vol. 5, No. 1, Pags. B14-B21. 22
• Ríos-Touma, B., A. C. Encalada, & N. Prat Fornells. 2012. Oviposition of Aquatic Insects in a Tropical High Altitude Stream. Environmental Entomology 41 (6): 1322-1331.
• Ferreira, V., Encalada, A. C. & M. A. S. Graça. 2012. Effects of litter diversity on decomposition and biological colonization of submerged litter in temperate and tropical streams. Freshwater Science, 31 (3): 945–962.
• Ríos-Touma, B., Prat Fornells, N. & A. C. Encalada. 2012. Invertebrate drift and colonization processes in a tropical Andean stream. Aquatic Biology 14: 233–246. doi: 10.3354 / ab00399.
• Encalada, A. C. & Peckarsky, B. L. 2012. Large-scale manipulation of mayfly recruitment affects population size. Oecology 168(4): 967-976.
• Ríos-Touma, B., Encalada A. C., & N. Prat Fornells. 2011. Macroinvertebrate Assemblages of an Andean High-Altitude Tropical Stream: The Importance of Season and Flow. Internat. Rev. Hydrobiol 96 (6): 667–685.
• Boyero, L., Pearson, RG, Dudgeon, D., Graça, MAS, Gessner, MO, Albariño, RJ, Ferreira, V. Yule, CM, Boulton, AJ, Arunachalam, M., Callisto, M., Chauvet, E., Ramírez, A., Chará, J., Moretti, MS, Gonçalves, JF Jr., Helson, JE, Chará-Serna, AM, Encalada, AC, Davies, JN, Lamothe, S., Cornejo, A. , Castela, J. Li, AOY, Buria, LM, Villanueva, VD, Zúñiga, MD and CM Pringle. 2011. Global distribution of a key trophic guild contrasts with common latitudinal diversity patterns. Ecology 92 (9): 1839–1848.
• Encalada, A. C., and B. L. Peckarsky. 2011. The influence of recruitment on within-generation population dynamics of a mayfly. Ecosphere 2 (10): 107-114.
• Peckarsky, B. L., Encalada, A. C., McIntosh. 2011. Why do vulnerable mayflies thrive in trout streams? American Entomologist 57: 152-164.
• Boyero L., Pearson RG, Dudgeon D., Ferreira V., Graça, MAS, Gessner MO, Boulton AJ, Chauvet E., Yule CM, Albariño RJ, Ramírez A., Helson JE, Callisto M., Arunachalam M., Chará J., Figueroa R., Mathooko JM, Gonçalves JF Jr, Moretti MS, Chará-Serna AM, Davies JD, Encalada AC, Lamothe S., Buria LM, Castela J., Cornejo A., Li AO Y, M ' Erimba C., Díaz Villanueva V., Zúñiga M., Swan CM and Barmuta LA 2011. Global patterns of stream detritivores distribution: implications for biodiversity loss in changing climates. Global Ecology and Biogeography. doi: 10. 1111 / j. 1466-8238. 2011. 00673. x
• Capps, K., Graça, M. A. S., Encalada, A. C. and A. Flecker. 2011. Leaf litter breakdown across three flooding regimes in a seasonally-flooded Amazonian watershed. Journal of Tropical Ecology 27: 205–210.
• Encalada, A. C., Calles, J. Ferreira, V., C. Canhoto and Graça, M. C. 2010. Effects of riparian land use on the relationship between benthic communities and leaf litter processing in tropical montane forest streams. Freshwater Biology 55: 1719-1733.
• Ríos Touma B., Encalada, A. C., Prat Fornell, N. 2009. Leaf litter dynamics and its use by invertebrates in a high-altitude tropical Andean Stream. Internat. Rev. Hydrobiol. 94: 357-371.
• Arroyo D. C & A. C. Encalada. 2009. Assessment of water quality through benthic macroinvertebrates and biological indices in tropical rivers in montane cloud forest. Advances in Science and Engineering. 1: 11-20.
• Wilcox, A. C., Peckarsky, B. L., Taylor, B. W. and Encalada, A. C. 2008. Hydraulic and geomorphic effects on mayfly drift in high-gradient streams at moderate discharges. Ecohydrology 1: 176–186.
• Encalada, A. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2007. A comparative study of the costs of alternative mayfly oviposition behaviors. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 61: 1437-1448.
• Encalada, A. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2006. Selective oviposition behavior of the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus. Oecology 148: 526 - 537.
• Peckarsky, B. L. Hughes, J. M., Mather P. B. Hillyer, M. and Encalada A. C. 2005. Are populations of mayflies living in adjacent fish and fishless streams genetically differentiated? Freshwater Biology 50: 42-51.
• Jacobsen, D. & A. C. Encalada. 1998. The macroinvertebrate fauna of Ecuadorian highland streams in wet and dry seasons. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 142 (1): 53-70.
• Jacobsen, D., R. Schultz & A. C. Encalada. 1997. Structure and diversity of stream invertebrate assemblages: the influence of temperature with altitude and latitude. Freshwater Biology, 38: 247-261.

Non-academic papers

Non-academic papers

• Encalada, A. C. 2010. Ecosystem functions and diversity of rivers: Reflections on the concept of ecological flow and its application in Ecuador. Polemika No. 5 pp 40. ISBN: 978-9978-68-030-8.

Books or Book Chapters

Books or Book Chapters

• Suárez, E. Encalada, A. C., and M. Álvarez. 2013. Common flowers of the moors of Palugillo, Papallacta and Antisana. San Francisco University of Quito. 64pp. ISBN 978-9942-11-414-3
• Encalada, A. C., Rieradevall, M. Ríos-Touma, B. García, N. and Prat, N. 2011. Simplified protocol and evaluation guide for ecological quality and Andean rivers (CERA-s). USFQ, UB, AECID, FONAG, Quito, 83pp. ISBN 978-9942-02734-3.
• Maldonado, M., Maldonado-Ocampo, JA, Ortega, H., Encalada, AC, Carvajal-Vallejos, FM, Rivadeneira, JF, Acosta, F., Jacobsen, D., Crespo, A. and Rivera-Rondón, CA 2011. Biodiversity in aquatic system of the tropical Andes. In: Herzog, S. K., Martínez, R., Jørgensen, P. M. and Tiessen, H. (Editors). Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Tropical Andes. Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE). ISBN: 978-85-99875-05-6.
• Anderson E. P., Encalada A. C., Maldonado-Ocampo J. A., McClain M. E., Ortega H, and Wilcox B. P. 2011. Environmental flows: a tool for addressing effects of river alterations and climate change in the Andes. In: Herzog, S. K., Martínez, R., Jørgensen, P. M. and Tiessen, H. (Editors). Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Tropical Andes. Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE). ISBN: 978-85-99875-05-6.
• Encalada, A. C. and Martínez, C. 2006. Ecological Integrity of the Province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador. In: Atlas of the Cotopaxi Province. C. Martínez (Ed.). EcoCiencia, Quito. pp 342.

Grants Approved
Grants Approved

• January 2016. Collaboration Grant USFQ. An experimental approach to understand how climate change affects tropical stream ecosystem function. PI: Andrea Encalada. Postdoctoral Researcher: Andrea Landeria-Dabarca.
• January 2015. Chancellor Grant USFQ. Quantification of Bacterial and Protozoal Pathogenic Indicators in streams in the Antisana, Mudadero and Cerro Puntas areas. Main PIs: Andrea Encalada and Gabriel Trueba.
• May 2012. Collaborative Research: Long-term sustainability of water resources and biodiversity under scenarios of climate change in the Napo watershed, Ecuador. Grant awarded by PEER Program, NSF-USAID funds. Main PIs: Andrea Encalada and Juan Guayasamin.
• January 2012. Collaboration Grant USFQ: Long-term sustainability of water resources and biodiversity under scenarios of climate change in the Napo watershed, Ecuador. Grant awarded by USFQ. Main PI: Andrea Encalada. Co-PIs in the project Dr. Esteban Suárez, Dr. Valeria Ochoa, Dr. Rodny Peñafiel, Dr. Alex Flecker, Dr. LeRoy Pofff.
• February 2012. Chancellor Grant USFQ: "Climate change and its possible effect on aquatic insect communities: Integrative approach based on life traits, to predict variation in the vulnerability of species in tropical and temperate regions". Grant awarded by USFQ. Main PI: Andrea Encalada.
• January 2011. Collaborative Research: An integrative traits-based approach to predicting variation in vulnerability of tropical and temperate stream biodiversity to climate change. Awarded by NSF-DEB (Dimensions of Biodiversity Program). Main PI: Dr. LeRoy Poff, Colorado State University, with the participation of 8 other PIs from 3 other USA Universities and 3 Ecuadorian Universities, A. C. Encalada PI in the project.
• June 2011. Encalada, A. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. Oral presentation: “Population size response to large-scale recruitment manipulation of the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus”. SEFS7 Meeting, Girona, Spain.
• June 2011. Ríos-Touma, B., Encalada, A. C., González, F., Rieradevall M. and Prat Fornells, N. Oral presentation: “Aquatic Insects Secondary Production and Phenology of a Páramo Stream at Latitude 0”. SEFS7 Meeting, Girona, Spain.
• July 2010. Encalada, A. C. Canhoto, C. and M. Graça. Oral presentation: “Consumption and preference of decaying leaves by aquatic insects in montane tropical streams”. AIL Meeting Ponta Delgada, Açores Islands, Portugal.
• July 2010. Ríos-Touma, B., Encalada, A. C., González, F., Rieradevall, M. and N. Prat. Oral presentation: “Flow Changes and Macroinvertebrates in a Highland Tropical Stream” AIL Meeting Ponta Delgada, Açores Islands, Portugal.
• July 2010. N. Prat., Ríos-Touma, B., Encalada, AC, Acosta, R. González, F., Villamarin, C. and Rieradevall, M. July 2010. Oral presentation: “Los Ríos Tropicales de Alta Montaña of the Andes. Ecological Structure and Quality ”. AIL Meeting Ponta Delgada, Açores Islands, Portugal.
• June 2010. Encalada, A. C., Canhoto, C. and M. Graça. Oral presentation: “Decomposition in a tropical rainforest stream: fewer decomposers or harder leaves?” NABS / ASLO Meeting Santa Fe, New Mexico USA.
• June 2010. Graça, M; Canhoto, C; Abelho, M; Ferreira, V; Encalada, A. C .; Oral presentation: Can we predict litter decomposition rates and the role of shredders across systems? NABS / ASLO Meeting Santa Fe, New Mexico USA.
• June 2010. Rosero, D., Encalada, A. C., Jowett, I. G. Oral presentation: Habitat Suitability Models for Aquatic Invertebrates in Highland Tropical Streams: An Alternative for The Assessment of the Impacts of Water Abstractions. NABS / ASLO Meeting Santa Fe, New Mexico USA.
• June 2010. Rios-Touma, B; Encalada, A. C., Gonzalez, F; Prat, N; Oral presentation: Macroinvertebrate Phenology in Páramo Streams at 0 ° Latitude. NABS / ASLO Meeting Santa Fe, New Mexico USA.
• June 2010. Ordóñez, V., Encalada, A. C., Ríos, B., Prat, N., Vimos, D. Oral presentation: Effects of Land Use On the Ecological Integrity of High-Altitude Andean Streams in Northern Ecuador. NABS / ASLO Meeting Santa Fe, New Mexico USA.
• July 2009. Ríos-Touma, B., Encalada, A. C., Prat, N. Oral presentation: Macroinvertebrate communities in a tropical high Andean river: the importance of microhabitat, flow and stream. International Paramundi Congress. Loja-Ecuador.
• July 2008. Encalada, A. C. & Graca, M. Organizing Committee. Plant Litter Processing in Freshwater Congress. Coimbra. Portugal: Oral presentation: “Shredders are important agents in litter decomposition in montane tropical streams”.
• May 2008. Capps K. S., Encalada A. C., M. A. S. Graça & A. Flecker. The effects of flooding regime, macroinvertebrates, and tree species on leaf litter breakdown in a seasonally-flooded Amazonian watershed. North American Benthological Society 56th Annual meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 25-30 May.
• April 2008. Encalada, A. C. Ecology Congress of Bolivia, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Oral presentation: "Effect of land use on litter decomposition rates and on the structure of benthic communities in tropical montane forest rivers".
• August 2007. Encalada, A. C., Canhoto, C. & M. Graca. Freshwater Biological Association (SEFS) Meeting. Palermo, Italy: Oral presentation: “Effect of riparian land use on leaf litter breakdown and invertebrate community composition in tropical montane streams”.
• June 2004. Encalada, A. C. & Peckarsky, B. NABS Meeting North American Benthological Society Meeting. Talk: "Recruitment limitation in Ephemeroptera". Vancouver, Canada.
• November 2002. Encalada, A. C. and Peckarsky, B. L. I Congress of Ecology and Environment. Talk: "Recruitment and Oviposition Behavior of the Ephemeral Baetis bicaudatus in Rocky Mountain Rivers in Colorado". San Francisco de Quito University (USFQ), Ecuador.
• October 2002. Encalada, A. C. Institute of Marine and Aquatic Sciences. Seminar: "Oviposition Behavior and Recruitment in Aquatic Insects". University of Coimbra, Portugal.
• June 2002. Encalada, A. C. and Peckarsky, B. NABS (North American Benthological Society) Congress. Talk: Does local recruitment of the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus determine local larval abundance? Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA.
• January 2002. Encalada, A. C. and Peckarsky, B. Ecology and Evolutionary Symposium. Talk: "Oviposition of the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus: Does local recruitment determine larval abundance?" Cornell University, USA.
• June 2001. Encalada, A. C. and Peckarsky, B. NABS (North American Benthological Society) Congress. Talk: Can availability of oviposition sites predict recruitment of the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus ”. Lacrosse, USA.
• May 2000. Encalada, A. C. and Peckarsky, B. NABS Congress. Talk: "Selective Oviposition Behavior of the Mayfly Baetis bicaudatus in Colorado Mountain Streams." Keystone, USA.
• July 1997. Encalada, A. C. Lecturer of the Status Report of the GLOBE Program in Ecuador. Second Annual GLOBE Conference. Washington D. C., USA.

Students and Associate Researchers LEA

Students and Associate Researchers LEA

Current Post-Doctoral Researchers

• Andrea Landeira, Ph.D. graduated from Universidad de Vigo, Spain. Present position, postdoctoral research associate at Aquatic Ecology Laboratory-USFQ

Former Post-Doctoral Researchers

• Blanca Ríos Touma, Ph.D. graduated from University of Barcelona, ​​Barcelona- Spain. Present position, Assistant Professor at Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica. Ecuador.
• Karen Knee, Ph.D. graduated from Stanford University, California- USA. Present position, Assistant Professor. American University Washington D.C.

Fulbright Visiting Scholar

• Alex Alexiades, Ph.D. graduated from Cornell University. Present position, postdoctoral research associate at Aquatic Ecology Laboratory-USFQ.

Current Students

• María Virginia Gabela, Bachelor student in Ecology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor).
• Christian Moreno, Master student. Master in Ecology San Francisco de Quito University.
• Patricio Mena, Master student. Master in Ecology San Francisco de Quito University.
• Chris James, Master student. Master in Ecology San Francisco de Quito University.

Former Students

• Ana Eguiguren, Bachelor student in Ecology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor).
• María José Troya, Bachelor student in Biology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor)
• María Cristina de la Paz, Bachelor student in Biology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor).
• Edgar Guerrón, Bachelor student in Ecology. University of Vienna and Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor).
• Anabel Rosales, Bachelor student in Environmental Communication, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor). Graduated in June 2012.
• José Pontón, Bachelor student in Ecology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor). Graduated in June 2012.
• María José Rendón, Bachelor student in Ecology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor). Graduated in June 2012.
• Maja Celinscak, Master student in the EMAE Program (European Master of Applied Ecology) (A. C. Encalada, co-advisor with J. P. Sousa, University of Coimbra). Graduated in July 2011.
• Daniela Rosero, Master student in the Ecology Program, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor). Graduated in May 2011.
• Verónica Ordoñez, Master student in the Ecology Program, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor). Graduated on December 2010.
• Diego Vimos, Master student in the Ecology Program, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, supervisor). Graduated on November 2010.
• Gabriela Castillo, Bachelor Honor Thesis in Ecology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador (A. C., supervisor). Graduated May 2010.
• Natalia Garcia, Bachelor Honors Thesis in Ecology. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. (A. C. Encalada, USFQ project supervisor). Graduated in May 2009.
• Blanca Ríos Touma, Ph.D. University of Barcelona, ​​Barcelona- Spain (Dr. Narcis Prat main advisor & A. C. Encalada, co-advisor), graduated 2008.
• Juan A. Calles, M. Sc. University of Van Amsterdam. (A. C. Encalada, Supervisor & Dr. Michael Krak, Academic Advisor at Amsterdam). Graduated 2006.
• Carolina Arroyo, Bachelor San Francisco University of Quito, Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, committee member) Graduated 2005.
• Cristina Ibarra, Degree in Biology. Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, co-advisor with Dr. Olivier Dangles).
• Daniel Cisneros, Degree in Biology. Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. (A. C. Encalada, co-advisor with Dr. Olivier Dangles).

Project “MINGA PARA MI RÍO”

The Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology of USFQ (LEA-USFQ), with the support of the Water Protection Fund for Quito (FONAG) has created the voluntary and community program of river restoration and remediation called “MINGA PARA MI RIO." The word Minga is a Kichwa word that means "community work for the common good." This program aims to achieve local involvement to increase awareness of river problems and promote the incorporation of best environmental practices. In addition, it seeks to educate citizens, mainly children and young people, about the importance of these ecosystems and teach them through volunteer work, easy actions, and practices, how ordinary citizens can contribute to the management, improvement, and restoration of these unique and essential ecosystems, which these rivers are. The “MINGA PARA MI RÍO” project seeks not only to provide information to the community about aquatic ecosystems, their importance, functioning and threats but also to attract citizens in such a way that they are actively involved and can have an experience in the field in the which can know the ecosystem, understand its operation and work to remedy it.