WWF-India Colombia Highland

650'000 ha

The mountains of Colombia are host to a unique diversity of ecosystems, which includes natural freshwater marshes found in high-altitude forests called paramó. The Laguna de la Cocha itself harbours unique plant species, which are increasingly threatened or endangered. Thirty types

of potato are cultivated by indigenous communities D. Landenbergue/WWF around the lake which is also sacred to them. Its archeological value is inestimable, as the site was America and the Caribbean inhabited by pre-Columbian communities. Ecuador Cuba Indigenous communities and Latin Island wetlands rich but fragile wetlands

1 million ha 500'000 ha

Cuba has the largest and best-preserved in Ecuador's wetland resources come from alpine the Caribbean: the Cienaga de Zapata, that covers grasslands, coastal swamps, large rivers, tropical over 450'000 ha. It is a major wintering site and rainforests, snow-peaked mountains, abundant stopover for North American migratory water . rainfall, and fertile soil. Oil exploration has Aside from its economic value to the local accelerated the deforestation and the destruction of communities within and around the site - who coastal wetlands. The flourishing shrimp industry practice traditional use of natural resources - the has also caused extensive damage to mangroves. Zapata hosts important archeological sites of The mostly indigenous population is struggling to ancient pre-agricultural communities and several maintain traditional resource management in the highly threatened species found only here face of development. Protection of these fragile including the Zapata , the and the systems is expected to sustain development that Zapata Sparrow. also favours intact for plant and wildlife.

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- conserving the world's biological diversity , territory - ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable [email protected] [email protected] The material and geographical designations in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WWF concerning the legal status of any country - promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. www.panda.org/livingwaters concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.