participatory ecological restoration in the rio blanco watershed: ecosystem based adaptation actions...
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PARTICIPATORY ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION IN THE RIO BLANCO WATERSHED: ECOSYSTEM BASED ADAPTATION ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE
CHINGAZA MASSIF, HIGH MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEMS OF COLOMBIA
Angela Andrade, Klaus Schutze y Angélica Cardona
Context
High Mountain Ecosystems and Vulnerability to Climate Change
Located over 2740msnm. 3.7% (4.210.000ha). 70% of National population depend on ES. 48% are protected areas. Glaciers tend to disappear in the coming 10 years. Current Andean forest cover: 23% “Paramos and High Andean Forestry's are highly
vulnerable to cc, affecting provision of ecosystem services. (2nd NC. 2010).
Pilot Adaptation Project in High Mountain Ecosystems
a) What is the current and projected climate variability at regional scale and how can we best deal with the uncertainties of climate change trends?
b) What are the effects of climatic variability in high mountain ecosystems (Glaciers, High Andean Forests and Páramos)?
c) How can we best maintain or increase the resilience of high mountain ecosystems (Glaciers, High Andean Forests and Páramos) in a context of climate change and climate vulnerability?
d) How can we best prepare social actors for managing resilience and proactively adapt to global change and climate vulnerability in high mountain ecosystems?
e) How can we best influence public policies that focus on implementing environmental management processes?
Belongs to the Chingaza Massif (2nd largest
Paramo in Colombia, and the Chingaza National Park.
It is located 70 km from Bogota, covering an
area of 40.528 ha (30% of the Massif).
Provides water to a population of 8 million. It is used by the Water and Sewage Company in Bogotá.
Population: 15.000 inhabitants.
1 National Park; 3 Regional Environmental Authorities; 3 municipalities, 1Department.
STUDY AREA RIO BLANCO WATERSHED
Average rainfall decrease for the period
2071-2100 between 10 and 30%, for both A2 and B2 scenarios.
Temperature increase: 2-4° for the period
2071–2100 in both CC scenarios. 0
500.000
1.000.000
1.500.000
2.000.000
2.500.000
3.000.000
3.500.000
4.000.000
4.500.000
Más lluvioso a loactual
Similar a lo actual Seco encomparación a lo
actual
Muy seco encomparación a lo
actual
+10 - +30 -10 - +10 -30 - -10 < -30
Escenario A2Escenario B2
0
500.000
1.000.000
1.500.000
2.000.000
2.500.000
3.000.000
3.500.000
Ligeramente más calidoque lo actual
Más calido que loactual
Muy calido que loactual
0-2 2-4 > 4
Escenario A2Escenario B2
Projected Climate trends in the area
Rainfall 2071–2100
Temperature 2071–2100
How can we build resilience?
1. Vulnerability Assessment Models:
Territorial Sensibility
Slope Land Cover Change Climatic disruptions Fragmentation Index Ecological Integrity Index.
Threats
Climate Change Landslides Increase in the agricultural frontier Mining Infrastructure
Tipo cambio Área (ha) %
Pérdida bosques 2.512 27
Pérdida espacios naturales naturales 2.554 27
Ganancia bosques 2.696 28
Ganancia espacios naturales 900 10
Estable 799 8
Total cambios 9.461 100
Land Use Change map 1950- 2010
Land Cover Threats
Increase of Agricultural Frontier
Mass Movements
Forest fires. Mining
Infrastructure Climate Change
Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Río Blanco Watershed
2. Participative Analysis of Securities and ecosystem services: water, food, territory.
SUPPORTING -C02 fixation: 70% soil and 30% biomass.
-Soil formation -Biodiversity -Nutrient Cycle
PROVISIONING -Food -Medicines -Fuel -Wood and Fiber -Freshwater
CULTURAL
Aesthetic
Religious.
Recreation and tourism.
Cultural Heritage
3. Surveys with key stakeholders at farm level: interviews and local visits.
REGULATING
-Water regulation.
-Erosion control.
-Quantity and Quality of Water.
-Natural Risks Reduction.
-Water holding capacity.
-Groundwater recharge.
4. Participative Ecological Restoration, as an Adaptation Measure to address climate change impacts.
Social Aspects Improve living Conditions Community participation to implement restoration actions. Restoration agreements .
Economic Aspects Ecosystem Services
Selection of sites for restoration, to guarantee provision of water and water regulation.
Ecological Aspects Ecosystem Structure
and Function
Selection of priority species for propagation. Reduction of ecological stressors.
Ecological and Social Resilience
A geographical network of spaces that support essential ecological processes necessary to guide adaptation beyond biodiversity conservation and towards the maintenance of ecosystem structure and functioning and main ecosystem services. Main Objective: Maintenance, recovery and regulation of water resources and connect people with their territory. a) Land use recommendations in the framework of ecosystem functioning thresholds; b) Key elements to promote natural connectivity, including ecological restoration. c) Information gaps that need to be addressed to contribute to ecosystem resilience. d) Promotion of social organization mechanisms. e) Proposed compensatory mechanisms.
a. Definition of the Ecological Adaptive Structure- EETA
Ecological Adaptive Structure- EETA
Conservation
Transition and Productive
Areas
Riversides, Wetlands and Catchments
Areas which have to be protected, rich in biodiversity and contribute maintaining hydrological regulation.
Riversides : 7-30m; Catchment areas:10-100m.
Land use changes: grazing to agroforestry systems
Secondary forests; Natural regeneration.
b. Building an Ecological Restoration Plan.
Catchment areas, wetlands and riversides.
Geodynamic process: landslides, severe erosion.
Land use conflicts/ land degradation. Forest fires. Degraded land of PNN Chingaza and
Forest Reserve of Río Blanco and Negro.
Potential area to be restored: 48%
c. Promoting Participative Ecological Restoration Actions
- Community participation . Development of “Adaptive land use Plans”, at local level for the management of “global commons”: local agreements for building ecological and social resilience, including activities such as watershed management, land restoration, farm planning, ecological monitoring and social networking;
Identification and implementation of restoration actions which require collective work
“mingas” .
- Selection of sites for the implementation of ecological restoration actions in priority areas: Current land cover/land use and soil status. Water quantity/quality, and current use. Stakeholders and communities depending on water services.
- Community Agreements for Ecological Restoration.
Agreements for the definition of restoration areas. Signature of Commitment Acts for the implementation
of Restoration Actions. Delivery of inputs for the implementation of actions.
- Propagation of plant species for restoration in priority areas.
Identification of species: pioneer species; early growing
species; and others that help natural succession, including those identified by local knowledge.
Collection, propagation and maintenance of the species. Advice to communities in local villages. Construction of satellite greenhouses and an experimental
center to promote participatory research, capacity building and training of local communities and research.
PROPIETARIO SITIO PREDIO ALTURA (msnm) COORDENADAS DESCRIPCIÓN EVALUACIÓN FINAL
- Reduction of tensors and planting native species in selected areas.
Implementation of isolation actions. Communitarian actions for planting. Building drinking places and establishment of pastures for livestock outside
isolated areas.
José Ever Cifuentes R La Esperanza 2.536 Lat. 04° 39’ 04.3” N Lon. 073° 52’ 46.0” W
Sin vegetación arbórea. Abastece de agua a varias familias de la vereda de La Jangada.
Se realizó el aislamiento, se sembraron los árboles y se instaló el bebedero. Se utilizaron todos los insumos entregados.
Ejemplo de los sitios caracterizados en la vereda Chatasugá, para la implementación del proceso de restauración ecológica.
Pedro Ángel Barreto
Sitio de ronda hídrica, en la quebrada La Carbonera, desprovisto de vegetación arbórea circundante. Se acuerda con el propietario un aislamiento de 100 metros de perímetro para la protección de este sitio.
Pedro Ángel Barreto
Nacedero desprovisto de vegetación arbórea circundante, con suelo expuesto; conecta con parche de vegetación relictual. Se acuerda con el propietario un aislamiento de 43 metros de perímetro para la protección de este sitio.
Mercedes Pulido
Nacedero desprovisto de vegetación arbórea circundante e invadido por pastos y especies herbáceas. Se acuerda con el propietario un aislamiento de 20 metros de perímetro para la protección de este sitio.
Example of Restoration at Farm Level.
Alternatives to Grazing Systems: Confined cattle Multispecies fences Sylvopastoral systems Improved pastures Forage Banks
Results
1. Restoration actions implemented in 9 local communities, restoration agreements signed (6.440 planted trees, of 50 native species).
2. 204 ecological restoration process implemented. 3. Silvopastoral and agroforestry systems established in 121 farms. 4. 8 homegardens in different localities, to promote propagation of native
species and production of organic fertilizer. 5. 1 main center for propagation, producing high quality plants for distribution
among local communities. 6. Capacity building of local communities: restoration, agro forestry systems,
efficient use of water. (Benefiting 800 families). 7. 2 Land Use plans including restoration in order to reduce territorial
vulnerability. 8. 9 adaptive land use plans at local level for the management of “global
commons”. 9. Restoration actions included in education processes and cultural activities. 10.C/B analysis, indicating the avoided cost in water services, after 7 years of
implementing restoration in catchment areas. (2.000US/catchment site/yr).
Lessons Learned Building resilience during Restoration
An integrated vulnerability assessment is the first step to address the
impacts of climate change through restoration. Vulnerability increases with non sustainable management practices. Restoration of ecosystem services is an ecosystem based adaptation (EbA)
measure to climate change and build resilience. EbA through restoration is a learning by doing process. Restoration is a matter of social and economic development. The success of pilot adaptation projects using restoration, is a learning by
doing process and depends on the participation of local communities and the recognition of traditional knowledge.
Valuation of restoration has to be improved, including social, ecological and cultural costs.
Impact on public policies and planning is relevant (land use/farm). Institutions have to be strengthened and adapted in order to improve
resilience.
