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ISSN -1 - 409 - Contents
Current events ...... 4 The Wetlands of Central America: their ecological and economic importance
In the field ...... 7 Crisis in the Gulf continues Miskitos clamor for seeds of hope
Training ...... 13 The benefits of investing in wetlands What, where, when?
The World of WWF ...... 17 Uncertain future for the biodiversity and water of Latin America and the Caribbean
Our guest ...... 21 Small but great This edition was prepared by the Communications Department of “WWF- Centroamérica” Published in 1999. The partial or total reproduction of the material and Useful tips ...... 23 illustrations contained in this publication is permitted, provided the source is mentioned and a copy of the publication is sent to: Turtle Poster ...... Center pages WWF Central America Apdo. 70 - 7170 CATIE Turrialba, Costa Rica Phone: (506) 556 1383 / 556 1737; Fax: (506) 556 1421 Email: [email protected]
Editorial Committee: Miguel Cifuentes, Matt Perl, Oscar Brenes, Laura Vilnitzky
Graphic Design and Production: Laura Vilnitzky, Laura C. Cerdas
The authors are responsible for their own articles. The opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of WWF. The photographs provided are the property of their authors. WWF has the right to publish them in this edition only.
2 Dear readers and friends:
As on previous occasions, this edition of the WWF Central America magazine is dedicated to a central theme of conservation efforts in the region: wetlands. In this way, we hope to underscore the ecological, economic and social importance of these aquatic environments in Central America and highlight the fact that this year all the Governments that have signed the Ramsar Convention are attending a conference in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The International Convention for the Conservation of Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into force in 1975. The Seventh Conference of Parties (COP7) brings together representatives of more than one hundred countries that are interested in the conservation of wetlands. WWF is present at this imp ortant conference to shar e our work experi ences i n coastal and continental wetlands and to coordinate actions with our colleagues from every corner of the world.
WWF Central America is also promoting the protection and management of wetlands. We are working to strengthen community management of coastal lakes on the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua, and to ensure the protection of important areas of mangrove in the Gulf of Fonseca in Honduras. In addition, we are promoting integral planning for the use of natural resources in the Arenal Conservation Area, the strategic hub of Costa Rica’s hydroelectric production. Finally we have launched a regional initiative to protect the Reef System in the Mesoamerican Caribbean, which includes the coasts of southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. All these actions imply coordination between different actors at many lev els: i n local co mmunit ies, wit h pri vate companies, local and national governments and even regional institutions.
With the contributions of our colleagues and collaborators from other sister organizations in the region, we have prepared an edition that highlights both the ecological and economic importance of the wetlands, and presents concrete management experiences in the region as well as the effects of natural disasters, such as storms and hurricanes, upon these ecosystems. We hope that the articles in this edition of WWF Central America will generate increased levels of interest and foster a renewed commitment to work on the conservation of wetlands.
With best wishes,
Sylvia Marín v.K. Regional Policy Adviser and Coordinator of the Coastal-Marine Program WWF Central America
3 C U R R E N T E V E N T S
The Wetlands of Central America: their ecological and economic importance
* By Jorge A. Jiménez
Despite the fact that Central America covers only Belize is well known. Not only does it boast the 500.000 Km2, it is home to an impressive largest coral reef in the Western hemisphere, di ver si ty of wetl ands. The r egi on’s steep but it is also endowed with a chain of salt water topogr aphy means that thi s di ver si ty i s and fresh water lagoons, surrounded by flooded concentrated mainly in lowland areas and coastal forests, mangroves and swamp forests, along plains, though there are lakes of glacial origin much of its coastline. among the fr ozen peaks of the Tal amanca This network of estuaries is home to one of the mountains, whose fauna and ecology are little la rgest co mmunit ies of aquatic bir ds i n the known. Large areas of peat bogs are also common continent as well as large populations of manatee. in the mountainous areas of the Central America This network of estuaries is home to one of the isthmus. la rgest co mmunit ies of aquatic bir ds i n the continent as well as large populations of manatee. Numerous lakes and lagoons are found in Central Amer i ca’s l owl ands and coastal pl ai ns. Of On the Caribbean coasts of Honduras, Nicaragua particular importance is Lake Nicaragua, the and part of Costa Rica, there are tidal lagoons largest body of fresh water located between the wher e mangr oves, swamp for ests and pal m Great Lakes of North America and Lake Titicaca in swamps domi nate the l andscape for many South Amer i ca. I n nor ther n Guatemal a, the kilometers inland. limestone plain of the Peten is the cradle of an This almost permanently flooded territory has i mpor tant networ k of l akes, r i ver s and served to limit the expansion of the agricultural wetlands, particularly the Laguna del Tigre, a frontier in the region, ensuring the survival of vast expanse of palm forests, flooded forests, many of these natural environments. grasslands and mud flats, which together form The coastal plain, with its very shallow waters, the largest wetland area in Central America. gives way to large banks of marine phanerogams The diversity of the wetlands along the coast of which extend over an area of hundreds of square
Photo: LVS - C U R R E N T E V E N T S
kilometers. Both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central America are bordered by extensive mangrove forests, with the largest concentratios found in the Gulfs of Fonseca, Nicoya and Panama. The ecological and social importance of these wetlands is such that they are indisputably essential elements of any management plan for the coastal region. The diversity of wetland environments in the Central American isthmus translates into an impressive diversity of fauna communities associated with these ecosystems: several hundred species of birds live in
these areas, along with reptiles such as caimans and cr ocodi l es. Even mammal s i n danger of extinction, such as manatee, are dependent on the existence of these wetlands.
I n addi ti on to bei ng the natur al habi tat of hundr eds of speci es of fauna and fl or a, the wetlands of Central America perform a number of ecol ogi cal functi ons that ar e of the utmost importance to the region. The close relationship bet ween these envir onments and hydr ological patterns is well known. Wetlands retain surface water and are therefore capable of regulating its flow downstream. This ensures a regular and more constant supply of water, without drastic fluctuations in the volume of water discharged.
During periods of heavy rain, wetlands absorb the sudden increase in surface water, releasing it gr adual l y and ther eby pr eventi ng sudden or violent flooding in lowland areas.
During periods of drought, the water that has been stor ed i n the wetl ands i s sl owl y r el eased Photo: LVS - WWF downstr ea m, maki ng i t avai la ble when ot her sources of surface water have been considerably Another functi on of wetl ands, whi ch i s of reduced in volume. The regulation of the water pr i mor di al i mpor tance, i s thei r r ol e i n the supply is of vital importance to the surrounding reproductive cycles of many species of aquatic fl or a and fauna and to human popul ati ons fauna. Wetlands - whether these are mangroves in downstream. This process of regulating water estuaries or grasslands and swamp forests around flow provides benefits, since superficial water is lakes and lagoons - provide a breeding ground for available during the months of drought and the many speci es of fi sh and cr ustaceans. Taki ng risk of flooding during periods of heavy rain is advantage of the large amounts of plant material in reduced. these envi r onments, the j uveni l e fi sh and crus taceans feed and are pr otected during this critical period of their life cycle, before they migrate to lakes or to the sea.
5 C U R R E N T E V E N T S
This function is not only of vital importance The carrying capacity of most wetlands has been to maintaining the populations of reduced and if curr ent l evels of exploita tion fi sh and cr ustaceans of inc rease substantially, the fr agile balance of adjo i ni ng habi tats, these systems could be altered permanently. but is al so of gr eat soci al Central America is still burdened with serious and economi c soci al and economi c pr obl ems and ther efor e val ue to the strictly protectionist policies are unsustainable r e g i o n ’ s in the region’s political context. However, it is r u r a l important that to exploit and manage wetlands resources be carefully designed and monitored. popul ati ons. The preservation of the natural functions of these M ost of the ecosystems shoul d al ways be taken i nto species caught consideration in any plan, since these functions by smal l- scal e are of vital importance to the well-being of rural and commer ci al communities. fi sher men al ong the co asts and l akes of Centr al Amer i ca spend their j uvenil e phases in the wetlan ds.
Changes i n the r egi on’s economi c and political conditions have had a major impact on wetlands. Most wetland areas are public places that are not properly regulated by governments. Small-scale fishing, the harvesting of mollusks and crustaceans, the cutting of firewood and the production of char coal are the most co mmon extractive uses. However, these practices may occur at dangerously high levels in places where poverty and the lack of productive alternatives for ce l ocal popul ati ons i nto the excessi ve expl oi tati on of wetl and r esour ces. Human migrations associated with social and economic pr obl ems, and, unti l r ecentl y, tr i gger ed by armed conflict, have had direct repercussions on the wetland resources.
* Jorge A. Jiménez Director Organization of Tropical studies (OTS) Apdo. 676 - 2050 San Pedro de Montes de Oca San José, Costa Rica Phone: (506) 240 - 6696 / (506) 240 - 5033 Fax: (506) 240 - 6783 Photo: WWF E-mail: [email protected]
6 I N T H E F I E L D
Crisis in the Gulf continues
In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America at the end of October of 1998, the problems caused by the disaster continue to affect
* By Edas Muñoz
The Gulf of Fonseca is a large marine and coastal area covering a distance of approximately 266 km. along Central America’s Pacific coast, and it is shared by El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. The l ar ger por ti on of the Gul f l i es wi thi n Honduran territory, in the departments of Valle and Choluteca. The area contains a wide variety of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems that include dry forests, coastal plains, seasonal lagoons and estuaries. This diversity generates resources that constitute the social and economic foundation for many coastal communities and contribute to the economies of the nations that share the Gulf.
As a result of the environmental catastrophe caused by Hur r i cane M i tch, whi ch pounded Central America for three days at the end of 1998, the ecol ogi cal , economi c and soci al conditions in the Gulf of Fonseca were seriously disrupted. Prior to Hurricane Mitch, the area was covered with large tracts of mangrove forest containing mainly crustaceans, mollusks and fish. However, many of these areas were devastated by the strong winds and torrential rains that dumped more water in the region in just one week than usually falls during an entire rainy season.
In Honduras, the wetlands of the Gulf of Fonseca suffered considerable damage, particularly in the area around the mouth of the Rio Choluteca, the largest of several rivers that drain into the Gulf.
Photos: Edas Muñoz - WWF
7 I N T H E F I E L D
In the estuaries that filter the Bays of San dollars in foreign exchange with a production of Lor enzo and Chi smuyo, i t i s esti mated that 13, 181 met r i c to ns. Alt hough the r eco very hundreds of hectares of mangrove forest were process has been fairly rapid compared with destroyed by the huge volumes of sediment (mud other activities, it is estimated that the total and si lt ) dr ag ged down by the forc e of the losses caused by Mitch were very significant. currents. Most shrimp farms have now been “replanted” wi th shr i mp l ar vae pr oduced i n l ocal After Hurricane Mitch, pollution levels in the l abor ator i es or suppl emented wi th l ar vae waters of the gulf increased substantially because imported from the United States and the rest of of the large number of human corpses that, along the Central American countries, as well as with with solid and liquid wastes such as fertilizers, wild shrimp caught in the estuaries of the Gulf. fungi ci des, pl asti c mater i al s and medi cal r esi dues, had accumul ated i n the r i ver s. The r eg ion’ s agric ul tur al export s wer e al so Nevertheless, according to the results of a water affected because near l y al l the mel on, quality study conducted afterwards by the Center waterm elon and sugar cane plantations were for the Study and Control of Pollutants (CESCCO) located on the coastal plains. of the Honduran Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the present concentrations As a result of the environmental damage suffered, of pollutants do not constitute a major risk to changes have taken place in some patterns of use biodiversity or a serious hazard to human health. of marine resources. Small-scale activities that are the mainstay of family incomes in the coastal The shrimp industry, which has grown steadily communities of the Gulf of Fonseca, such as in the Gulf since 1972 and now consists of shrimp farming and non-industrial fishing, are 14, 214 hectare s of shri mp far ms, suffere d now concentrated in specific areas where the major losses in to its infrastructure, production waters are not so muddy and it is easier to catch and raw material reserves. This has had serious fish. economic repercussions for the country and for With the depletion of marine resources in the local communities that depend on shrimp farming waters around San Bernardo and close to the for thei r l i vel i hood. Shr i mp i s als o one of Nicaraguan border, many fishermen who used to Honduras’ main export items and in 1997 alone, fish in these areas are now concentrating their this industry earned the country 100 million activities in the Bay of Chismuyo. The immediate
Photo: Edas Muñoz - I N T H E F I E L D
result has been to increase the pressure on fish resources in the bay thus jeopardizing, the ecosystem’s sustainability.
It was not until 1999 that scientific research on bi odi ver si ty l osses began. Some enviro nmental exper ts have begun to ask whether the effects of Hurricane Mitch in the Gulf of Fonseca could have an impact on the biodiversity of Latin America, since the Gulf provides a natural habitat for a large number of species and serves as a temporary refuge and br ee ding ground for many migra to ry birds.
I n anal yzi ng the si tuati on cr eated by Hurricane Mitch, it is essential to strengthen local capacities for the conservation of soils and river basins in the Gulf of Fonseca and other par ts of the r egi on wi th si mi l ar chara cter is ti cs, i n or der to mi tigate the adver se im pacts of natur al disasters and respond more effiectively.
Photos: Edas Muñoz - WWF
If you wish to obtain more information, please contact directly the PROARCA/Costas Integrated Coastal Management Project in the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras, headed by Edas Muñoz, Program Officer, WWF Central America.
E-mail: [email protected]
We congratulate our Honduran colleague Jorge Varela, Director of the Committee for the Defense of the Flora and Fauna of the Gulf of Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF), who was one of the winners of the Tenth Annual Environmental Prize awarded by the Goldman Foundation on April 19 1999. Jorge deserves this Award for his tireless work and dedication to the protection of natural resources and the human rights of coastal communities in the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras. This honor makes Jorge an exemplary model for those who work for the conservation of biodiversity in Central America.
9 I N T H E F I E L D
Miskitos clamor for seeds of hope
* By Fausto Cepeda
The Mi skit o communit i es along Nic ar ag ua’s At l anti c coa st are sti l l struggling to recover from the effects of Hurricane Mitch. When disaster struck at the end of October of 1998, the initial impact was not critical. But now many coastal communities find themselves in a terrifying situation, and the Miskitos have not yet been unable to recover from their losses.
Hurricane Mitch blasted through the region, wreaking havoc in northern Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
The catastrophe brought with it a substantial increase in the volume of sediments that were dragged downstream by the swollen rivers and accumulated in river basins and areas along the coast. The vegetation cover was devastated by heavy rains, floods and high winds, and most of the crops, the only source of food and income for these communities, were destroyed.
As a direct result of the pollution and destruction in the area, there have been outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhea, skin infections and malaria. At the same time, many families who were unable to plant their fields are now without food. Malnutrition among children has increased considerably, and many attend school without the necessary work materials because their parents have no crops to sell and therefore cannot afford to buy school supplies.
Mrs. Juana Tomson of the Association of Indigenous Women of the Atlantic Coast (AMICA), who has toured the communities of Rio Coco, explained: “We’re very worried. We don’t have seeds. We haven’t been able to
Photos: LVS, Edas Muñoz - I N T H E F I E L D
plant anything so this summer Thr ough a smal l emer gency fund, WWF has been we won’t have any food to supporting efforts by AMICA, give to our children. We to di str i bute cl othi ng and ask God to gi ve us the seeds among the communities of Rio Coco. WWF also hopes strength to go on, and that to conti nue col l abor ati ng those who are able will send with the Coastal Committee for National and International us seeds so that we will Suppor t for Vi cti ms of have food for our children Hur r i cane M i tch i n the agai n.” The r esour ces Atl anti c Coast of Ni car agua (the body that is coordinating that were once provided assistance to disaster victims), by the l and and and to support other initiatives and efforts that benefit these geography of the region Photos: LVS - Miskito communities. are gone and everyday problems The main effects of Hurricane Mitch were felt have grown because there are no seeds to in the basins of the rivers Coco and Grande in plant. Matagalpa and, to a lesser extent, in the basin of the Prinzapolka river. Many communities were forced to abandon their homes for long periods, losing their traditional crops. In many cases, people left the area and headed for more accessible places.
Data on areas and populations affected by Hurricane Mitch
REGION Municipalities Sectors Comunities Population Number of Dead Missing Homes Crops Animals families destroyed affected afected Waspan Río Coco arriba 42 23.245 4.111 8 1 3.239 100% 80%
RAAN Waspan Río Coco abajo 20 10.173 1.611 0 0 44 100% 80%
Puerto Cabezas North coast 10 5.433 1.155 0 0 - 100% 80%
Prinzapolka Río Prinzapolka 14 4.643 791 0 0 - 100% 80%
Sub total 86 43.494 7.668 8 1 3.283 100% 80%
RAAS Paiwas Paiwas 4 1.905 476 0 0 0 100% 80%
Cruz de Cruz de Río Grande Río Grande 16 4.199 1.205 0 0 37 100% 80%
Mouth of the Mouth Río Grande 12 632 136 0 0 0 100% 80%
Source: University of the Autonomous of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (URACCAN) 11 I N T H E F I E L D
The report on the “Rapid Restoration of the Damage by Hurricane Mitch in the Basins of the Rio Coco, Rio Bocay- Bosawas Biosphere Reserve”, describes the disaster that occurred (economic, social and demographic), makes a sectoral evaluation and explains the various efforts undertaken. This document was prepared by GTZ/ MARENA/ BOSAWAS and can be consulted at the following address: [email protected]
Through the PROARCA / Costas Project, WWF continues to carry out training activ it ies and design coastal manag ement pla ns to contr ib ute to the restoration of the river basins and the appropriate use and sustainable development of the natural resources in Nicaragua’s northeastern coastal area.
Central America
Refered area
* Fausto Cepeda Program Officer WWF Central America Managua, Nicaragua
Telefax: (505) 278 - 5230
If you would like to obtain more information or wish to collaborate with relief efforts, please contac: WWF Central America Sra. Elizabeth Enriquez Apdo. 70 - 7170 President, AMICA CATIE, Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas, Photo: LVS - WWF Turrialba, Costa Rica RAAN, Nicaragua Phone: (506) 556 - Telefax: (505) 282 - 1737 2325 (506) 556 -
Thank you for helping to maintain a Living Planet T R A I N I N G
The benefits of investing in wetlands
* By Oscar Brenes
The natura l r esour ce s suppl i ed by wetland areas, such as fish, firewood, charcoal, transport, minerals, energy and water are vital to the subsistence of many local communities. More than economic value, these natural areas have gr eat soci al and ecol ogi cal importance. Mindful of the need to pr eser ve these wetl and ar eas of Central America that are at risk from pol l uti on and over - expl oi tati on of resources, a project has been way under for more than two years to train r ur al teacher s. I t i s bei ng implemented through the WWF Central Amer i ca tr ai ni ng pr ogr am i n association with the Regional Wildlife Management Program of the National University in Heredia, Costa Rica.
One of the ob je cti ves of the j oin t project is to promote a change of attitude to appreciate the benefits provided by wetland environments and their importance for local communities. Thanks to this initiative, in areas such as La Union, in El Salvador, Coyolito in Honduras and Tonala, Sandy Bay, Wawa and San Miguelito in Nicaragua, schools are carrying out different activities focusing on wetlands. The most interesting aspect of the training work shops that have taken place in these communitie s was that this experi ence enabled r ural schoolteachers to create didactic materials with the children. This in turn is helping to foster awareness, from childhood on, of the need to protect and preserve these natural areas.
Photos: LVS -
13 T R A I N I N G
Throughout the duration of the project, eight training workshops were organized and more than 140 people participated. The focus of these courses was to train teachers to define, identify and classify wetlands, appreciate the benefits that can be obtained from these areas and be aware of the threats, and in this way plan their teaching activities, both in the classroom and in wetland areas.
The proj ect has worked with 104 communities, and it is estimated that approximately 12,800 children from all over Central America (200 individuals per school) have participated in activities in wetland areas. This initiative not only has an immediate effect but also represents a promising step forward in promoting the sustainable development of wetland areas, over the long-term.
As a result of various workshops, the teachers themselves organized seminars in their respective communities on various issues related to wetlands, such as the follow-up workshop held in Coyolito, Honduras and a second workshop in San Miguelito, Nicaragua organized by the Association of Ecology Teachers (AME). This project also has inspired the creation of the Neotropical Center for Training on Wetlands, which will be coordinated by Elier Tabilo with support from the Wetlands for the Future Program of the RAMSAR Convention.
This type of program with rural teachers undoubtedly helps to cr ea te awar eness of the im port ance of wetl ands and their ecosystems to local communities. The project would not have been possi bl e wi thout the suppor t of the Swi ss Agency for Devel opment and Cooper ati on ( COSUDE) , and the effor ts under taken by the “ P R OAR CA Coasts” I ntegr ated Coastal Management Project.
Photo: WWF
* Oscar Brenes * Program Officer WWF Central America Apdo.70 - 7170 CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica For a copy of the new book, E - m a i l : “The Benefits of Wetlands in Central America” Elier Tabilo Valdivieso * Regional Wildlife By Elier Tabilo Management Program PRMVS Universidad Nacional Apdo. 1350 – 3000 Heredia, Costa Rica * Or for more information, contac: E-mail: [email protected]
14 T R A I N I N G
What, where and when?
UNIVERSITY FOR PEACE TROPICAL SCIENCE CENTER
MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TROPICAL DENDROLOGY CONFLICTS Date: 21 June - 3 July 1999 (English) Date: 14 - 30 June 1999 Place: Costa Rica Place: Costa Rica * Cost: US $1800 Coordinator: Rolain Borel Information: Tropical Science Center Cost: US $2300 Dr. Humberto Jiménez-Saa Tropical Science Center BUFFER ZONE MANAGEMENT IN Apdo. 8 - 3870 - 1000 San Jose, Costa Rica PROTECTED AREAS Phone: (506) 253 - 4963 Date: 12 - 30 July 1999 E-mail: [email protected] Place: Costa Rica Coordinator: Jim Barborak* Cost: US $2500 REGIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION OF BLUMENAU, BLUMENAU / BRAZIL SERVICES PROVIDED BY FOREST AREAS: EVALUATION, QUANTIFICATION AND INCLUSION IN o NATIONAL POLICIES 50 National Botany Congress Date: 18 - 23 July 1999 Date: 13 - 25 September 1999 Place: Brazil Place: Costa Rica Information: Instituto de Botánica Coordinator: Gerardo Budowski Caixa Postal 4005 Cost: US $2300 * 01061 - 970 Sao Paulo - SP - Brazil Phone: (001) 5584 - 6300 AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, Fax: (001) 577 - 3678 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT E-mail: [email protected] Date: November 1999 Place: Costa Rica Coordinator: Ronnie de Camino Cost: US $2200 *
For information on all University For Peace * courses please contact: UPAZ, Felipe Matos, Apdo. 138, 6100 Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica Phone: (506) 249 - 1512 Fax: (506) 249 - 1929 Email: [email protected]
Thank you for helping to maintain a Living Planet T R A I N I N G
CATIE TRAINING FOR AGROFORESTRY INSTRUCTORS * • MODULE I: INTRODUCTION TO AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS Date: 19 - 23 July 1999
• MODULE II: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS WITH Photo: WWF PERENNIAL CROPS ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL Date: 26 - 31 July 1999 GOODS AND SERVICES Date: 2 - 13 August 1999* • MODULE III: FARM FORESTRY SYSTEMS Place: Costa Rica Date: 2 - 6 August 1999 Coordinator: Robert Hearne Place: Costa Rica Cost: US $1250 Coordinators: Alberto Camero / Muhammad Ibraim Cost: US $500 per module. IDENTIFICATION, FORMULATION AND ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL EVALUATION OF FORESTRY AND * ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: Date: 18 - 29 October 1999 * Place: Costa Rica • MODULE I: BASIC (IDRISI FOR WINDOWS & ARCVIEW) Coordinator: Juan. A. Aguirre Date: 2 - 13 August 1999 Cost: US $1200
• MODULE II: APPLICATIONS IN NATURAL RESOURCES PARTICIPATORY PLANNING OF FORESTRY WITH IDRISI FOR WINDOWS & ARCVIEW PROJECTS WITH A GENDER PERSPECTIVE Date: 25 October - 12 November 1999 Date: 16 - 27 August 1999 * Place: Costa Rica Coordinators: Cecile Fassaert / Bastian Louman • MODULE III: INTRODUCTION TO TELEDETECTION Cost: US $1500 Date: 30 August - 10 September 1999 RURAL DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THE • MODULE IV: APPLICATIONS OF TELEDETECTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL TROPICAL MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS (III) RESOURCES Date: 1 - 26 November* 1999 Place: Costa Rica Date: 13 - 24 September 1999 Coordinator: Gabriel Robles Place: Costa Rica Cost: US $2000 Coordinator: Sergio Velásquez Cost: US $1650 For information on all CATIE courses please contact: • Special rates for GIS Courses * For people who register for two or more modules the Outreach Program costs Training department will be: CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica - Two modules: US $3000 Phone: (506) 556 - 6021 Fax: (506) 556 - 0176 - Three modules: US $4200
Anyone interested in publicizing training courses in Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Natural Resources please contact: WWF Centroamérica, Apdo.70-7170 CATIE Turrialba, Costa Rica. Phone: (506) 556 1383/556 1737 Fax: (506) 556 1421 E-mail: [email protected]
16 T H E W O R L D O F W W F
Biodiversity and Water in Latin America and the Caribbean - An Uncertain Future
* By Miguel Jorge
In the last 20 years, and especially since the Rio Summit in 1992, much more is understood about valuing and conserving biodiversity to benefit the quality of human life today and i n the futur e. But people often sti ll t h i n k “ r ai n f or es t” when they think of bi odi ver si ty. And while issues related to cora l r ee fs and fi sh stocks depletion have been in turn helping to r ai se awar eness about mar i ne bi odi ver si ty i n gener al , the focus r emai ns weak on numer ous spec i es and ecosystems in the world’s rivers, lakes and wetlands. As a result, this collection of rivers, lakes and wetlands known as freshwater ecosystems remain more poorly understood, more degr aded and thr eatened than ter r estr i al ecosystems. Photo: LVS - WWF 17 T H E W O R L D O F W W F
This is especially unfortunate for Latin American and the Caribbean where fresh water systems harbor some of the most distinctive, unique and threatened species in the world. Of the world’s estimated 20,000 - 30,000 fish species (both freshwater and marine), the Amazon basin alone is said to contain between 3,000 and 9,000 species (Olson, et.al, 1997). Bi odi ver si ty i n fr eshwater systems i s distributed in a fundamentally different way from that in marine or terrestrial systems. Unlike land and sea, freshwater habitats are relatively di scr ete and i sol ated, and many fr eshwater species cannot disperse easily across the land barriers that separate river or lake basins into discrete units (WRI, 1994). Lakes are like small islands in the middle of the ocean except that they are small bodies of water surrounded by land. Like islands, lakes are known to be centers of endemism - often harboring species found nowhere else in the world. In the small pools of Cuatr o Ci énegas, M exi co, some fi sh and invertebrates have a range of a few square feet and numerous fish species exist nowhere else on earth.
Fotos: LVS - Photos: LVS - WWF 18 T H E W O R L D O F W W F
Photos: LVS - WWF
Lake Nicaragua — the largest lake in Central America and the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake (8624 km2) — is the only one in the world to provide habitat for both freshwater sharks and sawfish.
Rivers, lakes and wetlands are also important to species besides their resident fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. Central American wetlands, including those inland and along the shore, play a critical role in the migration of birds between north and south America. Each year, millions of individuals of close to 40 species travel from their breeding grounds in northern North America in search of the rich and highly productive wetlands of the south. They use Central American wetlands as destinations and critical stopover points. The uniquely high productivity of the wetlands in areas such as the Gulf of Panama, provide these migratory birds with abundant food during the non-breeding periods of their life cycles.
Unfortunately freshwater species and habitats tend to become extinct as easily as those found on land. Many species, both aquatic (that live in water) and terrestrial, that depend on freshwater habitat for their survival, have nowhere to go when threats emerge and their habitats are degraded or destroyed.
19 T H E W O R L D O F W W F
More over many fr eshwater systems si x of the ei ght conti nue to be pr evi ousl y common perceive d as useless, fi sh speci es, and weak policies have d r a s t i c a l l y onl y pr omoted thei r r e d u c i n g destruction. Marshes popul ati ons of a and swamps have been seventh, and filled, drained or used taking a toll up as dumps for pollution. and down the The flow regime, water food chai n temperature, and water a m o n g qual i ty essenti al for ecosystem maintenance in many rivers have i nver tebr ates, been altered due to al gae, and dammi ng, whi l e f i s h - eat i n g i ntr oduced speci es for Photo: LVS - bi r ds ( WRI , aquaculture, grazing or pest 1992). control have wiped out native species. Between 1967 and 1972, an Afr i can ci chl i d fi sh To save freshwater biodiversity, we must expand introduced into Gatún Lake in Panama wiped out our under standi ng of fr eshwater ecosystem
Citations:
Mitchell, Mark J. and William B. Stapp. 1990. Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring: An Environmental Education Program for Schools, 4th ed. Thomson- Shores, Dexter, Michigan, 1990), p. 153.
Noble, G. and W. Wolff. 1984. “The Ecological Importance of Wetlands,” paper presented at the Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, Goningen, May 1984. Cited in M. Marchand and F.H. Toornstra. 1986. Ecological Guidelines for River Basin Development (translated from Dutch) (Commission for Ecology and Development Cooperation, Leiden, the Netherlands, p. 12.
Olson, D.M., B. Chernoff, G. Burgess, I. Davidson, P. Canevari, E. Dinerstein, G. Castro, V. Morisset, R. Abell, and E. Toledo, editors. 1997. Freshwater biodiversity of Latin America and the Caribbean: A conservation assessment. Proceedings of For more information, contact: a workshop. World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC., USA. 100 pp. *Miguel Jorge World Resources Institute, The World Conservation Union (IUCN), and the United World Wildlife Fund Nations Environment Programme in consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational Scientific 1250, Twenty Fourth Street. and Cultural Organization. 1992. “Global Biodiversity Strategy: Guidelines for N.W. Action to Save, Study, and Use Earth’s Biotic Wealth Sustainably and Equitably.” Washington, D.C. 20037 260 pp USA
Phone: (001) 202 - 7789624
20 O U R G U E S T
Small but great
Despite its small size, Central America contains 8% of the world’s mangroves
* By Rocío Córdoba
Central America has some 567 km2 of mangroves and more than 6,600 km of coasts that represent around 12 % of the coastline of Latin America and the Caribbean. There are more than 1,600 km of coral reefs, mainly off the coasts of Belize and Honduras, which form the second largest barrier reef in the world after Australiaís.
Among the regionís most important continental wetland areas are Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca), Lake Managua, Lake Izabal in Guatemala, volcanic lakes such as Ilopango in El Salvador and Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, and the large flood plains of Mosquitia in Nicaragua and Honduras. Since the regionís natural ecosystems extend across political boundaries, many river basins are shared by two or more countries. One example is the San Juan river basin, which lies between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and the Sixaola river basin shared by Panama and Costa Rica. These characteristics make Central America is a key area for the conservation of wetlands and coastal areas.
All the Central American nations have ratified the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, incorporating 19 of the regionís wetland areas that are considered to be of international importance. These wetlands cover around 1% of Central Americaís land surface and in percentage terms, account for 30%, of the number of wetlands declared to be of international importance in the whole of Latin America and the Caribbean. Given the need to conserve the regionís wetland areas, many local, governmental and non-governmental organizations have instituted efforts for the protection and sustainable use of wetland resources. One of
Photo: LVS - O U R G U E S T
these organizations is IUCN - ORMA (the Central 3.Strategic and integrated planning for wetlands Amer i can R egi onal Offi ce of the Wor l d and coastal zones: based on the principles of Co nserva tion Union), whic h sinc e 1989 has sustainable use of wetland resources, strategies worked to conser ve the wet l ands of Centra l for integral management are designed and tested. America and Mexico through the Thematic Area of Local communities are provided with practical Wetl ands and Coastal Zones. Thi s task i s tools so that they can mobilize their capacities. undertaken through five fields of action: Results and information is systematized.
1. Establ i shment of nati onal and r egi onal 4. P r omoti on of a r egi onal networ k and priorities for the management and conservation di ssemi nati on of i nfor mati on: setti ng up of wetlands and coastal zones in Central America: networks and working groups as mechanisms for j oi nt effor ts wi th nati onal wor ki ng gr oups, discussion, systematization and dissemination of professionals in the field and the support of a case studies sponsored by the IUCN through its Technical Advisory Committee. themati c ar eas, associ ates and member s. I n addition, a communicati ons strategy i s being 2. I nsti tuti onal str engtheni ng: pr omoti on of i mpl emented, whi ch i ncl udes per i odi c technical support and training of professionals publications and a Document Center on Wetlands, and organizations interested in this field through with more than 10,000 worldwide references on technical assistance, courses and workshops and this subjec. the provision of small incentives for research. 5. Support of international treaties and policies for the conservat ion of wetlands and coastal areas: IUCN-ORMA promotes international and r egi onal agr eements r el ated to wetl and ecosystems. I t col l abor ates wi th si gnator y countries in the fulfillment of their obligations under these treaties, and assists the Secretariats of each treaty in the implementation of action plans for the region. Special emphasis is placed on the Ramsar Convention.
For further information on the IUCN-ORMA Thematic Area of Wetlands and Coastal Zones please contact:
*Rocío Córdoba-Muñoz Phone: (506) 236 - 2733 / Fax: (506) 240 - 9934 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.uicnhumedales.org
Sources: Windevoxhel, N.J., J. Rodríguez y E.J. Lahmann. En prensa. Situation of integrated coastal zone management in Central America: experiences of the IUCN Wetlands and Coastal Zones Conservation Program. CCAD. 1998. Estado del ambiente y los recursos naturales en Foto: LVS - Centroamérica 1998. 1a Edición. Comp. Jorge Rodríguez. G R A I N S O F S A N D
Useful tips
Re-use and recycle bags. Let’s conserve our environme nt.
Let’s build a LIVING planet.
The paper used for this magazine can be recycled.
Sources:”How to Protect Nature from our Homes” (1991) published by ADENA /
23 WWF is the worl d’s l argest and most exper i enced i ndependent conser vati on organization. It has 4.7 million regular WWF aims to conserve nature and ecological supporters and a global network active in processes by: 96 countries. • preserving genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable both now and in the longer term, for the benefit of all life on Earth
• promoting actions to reduce to a minimum pollution and the wasteful exploitation and consumption of resources and energy
Ou r ob je ctiv e is to halt and, in tim e, revers e the growing degradation of our planet’s natural environment and help to create a future in which human beings will live in harmony with Nature.
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