ABSTRACT
The governance system of the Andean ecoregion is remarkably different from that of the Alps. The ecosystem of reference corresponds to the mountain range (in Spanish: cordillera) known as the Andes. In the Andean region, a key sector from both a social and environmental perspective is mining. All Andean countries are leading exporters of minerals to the rest of the world. Another important driver for cooperation in the ecoregion is water. The management and development of freshwater basins in high mountains is of great importance because of hydropower production, drinking water and pollution mainly from mining, but also agriculture. Mountain ecosystems are important for agriculture and agriculture is important for mountain communities. The opposite is also true. Mountain communities with their agriculture and ancestral knowledge are important to preserve mountain ecosystems. However, people still living in mountain areas continue to perform important roles for the sustainable management of Andean ecosystems.
