Promoting Connectivity and Biodiversity Conservation in the Talamanca Caribbean Biological Corridor
Case Study C0147
[edit]
| Date | November 2005 |
| Agency | Asociación de Organizaciones del Corredor Biológico Talamanca Caribe |
| Donor/support agency | Avina Group Inc. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) Fundecooperación The Nature Conservancy Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones (PPD) Fondo para el Medio Ambiente Mundial |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Costa Rica |
| Locality | Talamanca region |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Protect the natural resources of Talamanca by connecting forested areas in the region |
| Poverty reduction goals | Develop sustainable production activities for biodiversity conservation |
Summary
The Association of Organizations of the Talamanca Caribbean Biological Corridor (Asociación de Organizaciones del Corredor Biológico Talamanca Caribe) represents 16 organizations from the Talamanca region and more than 650 community members. This project aims to halt the fragmentation occurring in the Río Carbón watershed that forms part of the Talamanca Caribbean Biological Corridor (TCBC) in southern Costa Rica. Talamanca is a zone of great contrasts as it is simultaneously rich in biodiversity and cultures, with poverty levels above 40%, which attracts investors that exploit natural resources and residents. The creation of sustainable production alternatives is urgently needed to improve subsistence levels and conserve biodiversity. So far, one of the few economic alternatives available has been legal or illegal forestry, which rapidly deteriorates forests and resources. To conserve the biodiversity of Talamanca, the connectivity of fragmented areas must be increased by adopting sustainable production initiatives that generate income for the local inhabitants. This project has worked in fragmented areas in the Rio Carbón watershed to connect critical areas. It also strengthened local organization and participation through training, environmental education activities, encouraging greater capacity in the local population, and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation
Conservation impact
Some of the project's accomplishments to date in the field of conservation: four nurseries to produce trees native to Talamanca for timber, fruit, forage, and other uses were established; approximately 40,000 timber and fruit trees were planted, restoring a total area of more than 50 hectares; a biomonitoring plan and protection strategy was prepared.
Poverty reduction impact
Some of the project's accomplishments to date in the field of poverty reduction: 1,148 hectares of farms that are developing forest conservation and reforestation projects are receiving environmental service payments; farms using agroforestry systems with more than 11,000 trees are receiving environmental service payments; a community ecotourism network was created; a community committee was formed to support conservation activities.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Payments for conservation services
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Revival of traditional practices
Reference 1
http://www.eco-index.org/search/results.cfm?projectID=942
Reference 2
http://www.corredortalamanca.org
More information
Rosa Bustillos Lemaire, Project director
Phone: +506 253-8582
E-mail: corrbiol@racsa.co.cr
Related records above this one:
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Organisation O0078)