(Re)Defining Ecosystems: A Case Study of the Colombian Páramo Delimitations and Shifting Boundaries

Ecosystems are inherently dynamic and so is our understanding of them. The concept of ecosystems has evolved over time, shaped by the cumulative effect of shifts in scientific paradigms, methodological advancements, environmental concerns and socio‐political interests. This article examines how the Colombian páramos, a high‐elevation mountain ecosystem, have been redefined multiple times through different delimitations, each reflecting a different scientific and methodological approach and resulting in different páramos distributions. Using a mixed‐methods approach, we analysed how páramos have been conceptually and methodologically defined, exploring the actors and data that shape their boundaries. Then, we quantified the spatial transformations of the páramos between the different delimitations, identifying the areas where the páramo ecosystems expand and contract between delimitations as boundary shifts. Ultimately, this research enables us to examine how the concept of ecosystems is constructed through shifts in scientific paradigms and tensions between competing scientific and governance frameworks, revealing that ecosystem delimitation is not merely a conceptual exercise but an active process that reshapes and reconfigures landscapes.