Procesos comunicacionales en la gobernanza de un área natural protegida del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito/ Communication processes in the governance of a Protected Natural Area of the Metropolitan District of Quito

  Is there a possibility that the governance problems of natural protected areas will be resolved through the strengthening of networks of social interaction and communication? In the dialogue generated by environmental governance in Ecuador, formal and informal communication mechanisms allow opportunities for conflict management, the strengthening of networks of social interaction, the exchange of knowledge among different actors, as well as to agree on common objectives. Under the interactive governance approach, this article analyzes the communication networks of the Mashpi-Guaycuyacu-Sahuangal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area, recently created in the Metropolitan District of Quito. The study shows that the heterogeneous environmental rationalities among the interest groups in the area do not yet find their gear, due to gaps in communication processes, which weaken the participation processes, its legitimacy and effectiveness.    ¿Existe la posibilidad de que los problemas de gobernanza de las áreas naturales protegidas se resuelvan a través del  fortalecimiento de las redes de interacción social y comunicación? En el diálogo que genera la gobernanza ambiental en Ecuador, los mecanismos formales e informales de comunicación posibilitan manejar conflictos, fortalecer redes de interacción social, intercambiar conocimientos entre distintos actores, así como concertar objetivos comunes. Es con esta consideración que, bajo el enfoque de la gobernanza interactiva, este artículo analiza cómo funcionan las redes de comunicación del Área de Conservación y Uso Sustentable Mashpi-Guaycuyacu-Sahuangal, recientemente conformada  en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito. El estudio revela que las racionalidades ambientales heterogéneas que permean los grupos de interés en la zona no encuentran aún su engranaje, al existir vacíos en los procesos de comunicación, lo cual hace que la participación pierda legitimidad y eficacia.   Abstract Is there a possibility that the governance problems of natural protected areas will be resolved through the strengthening of networks of social interaction and communication? In the dialogue generated by environmental governance in Ecuador, formal and informal communication mechanisms allow opportunities for conflict management, the strengthening of networks of social interaction, the exchange of knowledge among different actors, as well as to agree on common objectives. Under the interactive governance approach, this article analyzes the communication networks of the Mashpi-Guaycuyacu-Sahuangal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area, recently created in the Metropolitan District of Quito. The study shows that the heterogeneous environmental rationalities among the interest groups in the area do not yet find their gear, due to gaps in communication processes, which weaken the participation processes, its legitimacy and effectiveness. &nbsp