Páramos are high‐altitude ecosystems of grasslands and shrubs that sustain high levels of biodiversity and contain numerous lakes, ponds and wetlands that are a crucial source of water for millions. In the Andes, limnological data are rare from páramos and particularly so from shallow waterbodies that are prominent features of the landscape. Here, we analyse fossil diatom assemblages using dated sediment cores from three shallow lakes in the páramo of southern Ecuador and document their response to recent climate changes. The two shallowest sites were <0.5 m deep and contained nearly identical diatom assemblages, dominated by Achnanthidium minutissimum and other benthic taxa. The deepest study site, at 4 m depth, differed notably from its shallower counterparts in that the dominant taxa were tychoplanktonic Aulacoseira species. All three study sites showed only minor assemblage shifts over the past ˜200 years. This contrasts sharply with paleolimnological data from nearby deep lakes (Zmax > 17 m) that recorded abrupt changes in diatom phytoplankton coincident with the onset of higher temperatures, reduced wind speeds and the onset of thermal stratification in recent decades. In temperate and high‐latitude regions, an overriding factor influencing freshwater ecosystems is the duration and extent of ice cover, which itself is closely linked to climate variables. In contrast, there is no winter ice cover and the growing season is continuous year round in our equatorial Andean sites. Instead, rising temperatures are affecting deep lakes primarily by altering the physical structure of the water column resulting in greater periods of thermal stratification, which in turn drives changes in biota and other lake processes. However, this mechanism of change only affects deep lakes because shallow waterbodies are easily mixed by wind. Our data demonstrate the differential response of large, deep lakes in the páramo compared to the relative complacency of changes in shallow waterbodies, which is in marked contrast to similar sites affected by seasonal ice cover.

Humans are now recognized as the main drivers of environmental change, leaving the future of our planet dependent on human action or inaction. Although the outlook of our planet is often depicted in a “doom and gloom” manner due to recent troubling environmental trends, we suggest that a “good Anthropocene” (in which human quality of life may be maintained or improved without cost to the environment) is attainable if we engage in adaptive, multi-disciplinary actions capable of addressing the socio-ecological issues of today and tomorrow. Early-career conservation scientists and practitioners have an unmatched understanding of novel technologies and social connectivity and, as those left with the ever-growing responsibility to be the problem solvers of the attributed increasing environmental consequences of living in the Anthropocene, their perspectives on steps towards a good Anthropocene are valuable. Here we present a list of 20 actions derived by early-career conservation scientists and practitioners for conservationists to help achieve a good Anthropocene that utilize the social connectivity and technology of today. Central to these actions are the notions that multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary collaboratives that embrace diverse world views need to be integrated into decision-making processes; training and outreach platforms need to communicate both environmental challenges and solutions broadly; and conservation successes need to be acknowledged and disseminated in a forward-looking, adaptive capacity. Together the 20 actions identified here reinforce the underlying paradigm shift that must accompany living in the Anthropocene, given that biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are requisite for sustained human life. By sharing this list of actions, we look to promote positive socio-environmental changes towards the collective goal of achieving a good Anthropocene.

No abstract