Original blog in Spanish here
English translation:
Problem:
The problem of this research focuses on the interaction between socioeconomic development, landscape transformation and ecosystem conservation, specifically in the department of Guaviare, Colombia. The Guaviare is experiencing a constant loss of its natural forests, as a consequence of the expansion of the agricultural frontier. This landscape transformation leads to a decrease in Nature’s Contributions to People (CNP), affecting the well-being of local communities.
The lack of consideration of the social and ecological dynamics of the landscape and the underestimation of its social values in decision-making aggravate this problem. Therefore, there is a need to identify synergies and spatial conflicts in the perception of CNP at the landscape scale, especially in productive environments such as chontaduro production and the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP), in order to inform strategies that mitigate the effects of landscape transformation and promote sustainable land use in the region
Goals:
General objective
Determine the synergies and spatial conflicts that exist in productive environments of chontaduro and NTFP extraction within a context of landscape transformation in three municipalities of the department of Guaviare based on the approach of Nature’s Contributions to People (CNP).
Specific objectives
1. Characterize the CNP used for chontaduro and NTFP producers.
2. Determine the spatial distribution of the CNP offered and demanded based on the social landscape values (VSP) attributed by chontaduro and NTFP producers.
3. Evaluate the human pressure index in the study area of the Guaviare department to define ecological values and contrast it with VSP.
Methodology
In this study, the methodology has a participatory approach that seeks to understand and map the CNP in the landscape. It is structured in three phases. In the first phase, semi-structured interviews are carried out with chontaduro and NTFP producers to identify the CNP associated with these activities. The second phase involves the implementation of Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) workshops, where participants map relevant locations in space for their productive activities. In the third phase, the results of the previous phases are integrated using GIS tools to model and combine the ecological values of the landscape and the social value of the CNPs, identifying synergies and spatial conflicts between social and ecological values. It is worth highlighting that although social values arise from the mapping of CNP provision areas based on people’s knowledge, ecological values are obtained through modeling the human spatial footprint index, which allows knowledge of the landscape places without environmental degradation or, on the contrary, areas of pressure from human activities. This information is crossed with the perceptions of people who have a direct relationship with ecosystems and in this way, motivate use and conservation strategists.
Results:
The results obtained in this research reveal the interaction between social values of the landscape and ecological values in the department of Guaviare.
NTFP spatial synergies and conflicts
Areas with high social values and high ecological values are identified to the northwest of the study area, such as the green areas of Caño Blanco, Las Dunas and Boquerón and to the southwest, near Calamar. The northeastern core represents terrestrial ecosystems with dense high forest cover, while the selected areas in the municipality of Calamar represent aquatic ecosystems with dense high forest cover, specifically basal floodplain forest in the flood plain of the Vaupés hydrographic zone.
Regarding the economic aspect, high social values and medium ecological values are observed in forested areas, highlighting that those who carry out activities with NTFPs not only recognize environmental benefits of the forest, but have attributed an economic value to it, this opens the doors to an opportunity and a need to establish sustainable use strategies. Additionally, low ecological values and high social values stand out in transformed areas such as settlements, since they see places of production, transformation and commercialization.
The main focuses are in San José del Guaviare, mentioning Asoproegua and to the northeast in Caño Blanco where the ComGuaviare transformation plant is located, where the Florida and Naranjal villages are indicated as potential producing areas, the La Fuga village also stands out. as an area for the use of acaí, the Campo Alegre village for the production of moriche and for Caño Mosco and Boquerón labor.
Regarding the cultural aspect, NTFPs do not present a direct correlation with natural areas, but are associated with areas transformed as settlements, where training activities and tourist events are carried out. San José del Guaviare stands out with events such as the Urutú and Yuruparí de Oro Fairs, Capricho celebrates the Guacamaya festival, and the urban area of Calamar is strategic for fairs that promote products and commercial relationships.
Chontaduro spatial synergies and conflicts
This product mostly presents patches in the landscape identified with high social value and medium ecological value, especially in the hydrographic zone of Inírida, which borders the eastern edge of trails such as Caño Raya Alto and the La Asunción reservation, highlighting the relevance of basal floodplain forests and water courses for the water supply of chontaduro palms. It is important to highlight that here there was no presence of high values for the ecological category, there were even high social environmental values in places with the presence of low ecological values, that is, places with high anthropogenic pressure. This relationship is interesting since people attribute a social ecological value to transformed areas. In this context, restoration of more natural areas needs to be considered, especially if people perceive potential value in this.
In economic terms, an average social valuation is observed in places with high ecological values; these areas are identified as suitable for chontaduro crops, the presence of forest being deductible. These areas are likely to have transformation potential due to their proximity to a crop mosaic characteristic of the conditions or attributes of chontaduro crops. The importance of urban centers such as El Retorno for production and San José del Guaviare for the marketing of this product is highlighted.
Regarding cultural aspects, near the La Asunción reservation and the Caño Raya Bajo and Las Acacias villages, high social value and intermediate ecological value are observed, highlighting the water circuits as sacred and learning places. Settlements are important for cultural activities such as chontaduro festivals, and villages such as Caño Mico and associations such as Asomujeres are relevant, generating commercial benefits through recreation and community nurseries.
General conclusions:
Participatory mapping turns out to be a valuable tool, which allows capturing community perceptions and the identification of VSP associated with use, addressing characteristics according to the landscape elements. Both NTFPs and chontaduro present differentiated ecological requirements, linked to local interests and the geography of the territory that were evident in this research. From these elements, CNP is indicated at various scales, which can guide the development of specific policies. However, it is crucial to note that this evaluation requires various types of analysis; although the information obtained is valuable, there is a risk of simplification, which could impose limits on the necessary measures. Therefore, these results are understood as an additional tool that demands a detailed and contextualized evaluation that must consider the specific goals and values of both local communities and decision-makers and conservation experts.
Those who participate in activities with NTFPs not only recognize the environmental benefits of the forest that are important for conservation, but have also attributed an economic value to them that highlights the importance of use for conservation. The presence of patches with high social and medium ecological values is noted to prioritize conservation or restoration strategies, which could represent an opportunity for landscape connectivity on the edge of the agricultural frontier of the department.
With regard to chontaduro, the heterogeneity of the valued areas in which these activities are carried out stands out, which are bordering forest covers where the risk that the transformation of the cover continues persists. Although chontaduro producers recognize the economic importance of palms and consider the crop as a reforestation strategy, some of their practices are not sustainable in the long term. AND