BEST OF THE WILD: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY and the MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE BEST OF THE WILD: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY and the MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE PHOTO CREDITS (COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT): COVER: JULIE LARSEN MAHER/WCS; INSIDE COVER: WCS GUATEMALA; PAGE 3: WCS GUATEMALA; PAGE 4; WCS GUATEMALA; PAGE 5: WCS GUATEMALA (2); CEMEC/WCS; PAGE 7: WCS GUATEMALA (3); PAGE 9: RAFAEL REYNA; WCS GUATEMALA (2); PAGE 11: WCS GUATEMALA; JULIE LARSEN MAHER/WCS; WCS GUATEMALA; CEMEC/WCS; PAGE 13: VICTOR HUGO RAMOS, WCS GUATEMALA W C S a n d t h E M a y a B I o S p h ere R eser v E Viewed from space the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) appears largely pristine, with minimal evidence of human impact. It is one of the last remaining rainforest strongholds in the region, situated at the heart of the Selva Maya, a tri- national forest spanning Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. The MBR is a stronghold for wide ranging and iconic species—jaguar, puma, Baird’s tapir, white-lipped peccary, scarlet macaw, and king vulture. Species endemic to the region fill the forest: the raucous Guatemalan black howler monkey, Morelet’s croco- dile, and the spectacular ocellated turkey. Millions of migratory birds from the US and Canada, more than 80 species, depend on these forests during the northern winter. At 8,100 square miles (nearly one-sixth the size of New York State), the MBR anchors the largest block of broadleaf forest north of the Amazon. Securing its future is an impor- tant conservation imperative. The forest is a major carbon sink for the planet and a critical water catchment for the region. The reserve provides Guatemala with 90% of its petroleum and timber. And the area was the epicenter of the Maya civilization—its 200 archaeological sites are a power- ful international draw for a lucrative and growing tourism industry. Though Guatemala is embracing democracy and is slowly recovering from decades of internal conflict, the MBR still lacks the institutions needed to govern the use of its natural assets. Illegal settlements, unsustainable rural land uses, uncontrolled hunting of wildlife and annual burning have severely degraded much of the western third of the reserve, and resulted in a vast loss of economic opportunities for local people. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is partnering with local organizations and government to integrate conservation and development in the MBR. Over the last 20 years we have developed innovative approaches to improve local governance of natural and cultural resources and resist destructive practices. We have supported the efforts Inside cover: Scarlet macaw nesting of local people to manage their forests, which has reduced the threats of deforestation habitat in the Maya Biosphere and fire, and ensured that the habitat for jaguars and scarlet macaws, and a host of other Reserve Landscape. Right, from magnificent species, remains intact. top and counterclockwise: WCS has the knowledge, long-standing presence, experience, and a vision for the Eastern MBR aerial view; WCS coming decade: forested parks teeming with wildlife and a managed landscape where area of focus, including human fire is controlled and resource extraction is legal and sustainable. impacts in the MBR (least With conservation leadership, scientific knowledge and field presence from WCS, human impact = green; we can together conserve this magnificent landscape. greatest impact = red). 2 MEXICO Mirador - Rio Azul Dos Lagunas Laguna Laguna del Zona de Uso Múltiple Reserva del Tigre Tigre-Río de Biosfera Maya Escondido San El Pilar Miguel la Tikal Palotada Yaxhá Sierra del Zona de Amortiguamiento Reserva El Zotz de Biosfera Maya Nakúm Lancadon Naranjo GUATEMALA MEXICO BELIZE Site Scale Reference National park Biotope Buffer zone New York, USA Multiple use zone Cultural monument 0 25 50 100 International boundary (Background shade represents topography) 0 100 200 400 Kilometers Kilometers 3 UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES AND RISKS The western reaches of the MBR, particularly Laguna del Tigre and Sierra del Lacandon National Parks, are under severe threat. Illegal colonization is rapidly moving west to east, resulting in forest clearing, uncontrolled hunting of wildlife and fire. At the industrial scale, roads built to facilitate timber and petroleum extraction provide easy avenues for hunters and new colonists into remote sections of the forest. Fire is the principal agent of forest degra- dation. Colonists clear small patches of forest and use fire to burn off the organic debris and create nutrient rich ash. During El Niño years, the fires spread into the surrounding forest, furthering and widening the destruc- tion. In 2002, the resulting smoke traveled north in such density that the Houston International Airport was closed. Dry years are becoming increasingly common—a pre- diction of climate change scientists—suggesting that fire will become a more severe threat in the future. Conserving the Maya Forest will attain the twin goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable economic development. Planned land-use and zoning allow ecotour- ism development, sustainable forest extraction and biodiversity protection to co-exist within the same landscape. Management authority for specific areas is conferred to local communities, national NGOs or government agencies (See Zoning Map, previ- Left, Uncontrolled hunting— ous page). jaguar killed by poacher. In this Yet management authorities lack sufficient skills, experience and financial resources case, the poacher was caught by to effectively govern use of the region’s resources and respond to the growing threats. the community patrol and expelled Concurrently, the Guatemalan Government is limited in its ability to respond to biodi- from the village. Right, from top versity conservation goals due to the overwhelming social needs of the country. and counter-clockwise: Aerial view The eastern MBR is still primarily intact, though is increasingly at risk from threats of fires; wildlife destruction due spreading from the west. It is in the east that WCS is focusing its efforts and is commit- to fire (ocellated turkey nests); ted to ensure that this subtropical forest stronghold remains intact. Illegal settlements in the MBR 4 5 VISION FOR THE FUTURE WCS has a 10-year vision for the eastern MBR: Forested parks teeming with wildlife, and effectively managed protected areas and forest concessions where fire is controlled and resource extraction is legal and sustainable. To achieve this vision, we will hold ourselves accountable for: n 90% of the intact eastern MBR protected and managed (more than 3,300 square miles); n The eastern MBR a stronghold for jaguars, with a stable and ecologically functional population across the landscape; n Scarlet macaw breeding areas protected and the population demographically robust. Jaguars and scarlet macaws range widely, rely on different parts of the forest, and are put in jeopardy by the most acute and widespread threats to the region. They are symbols of the forest and their conservation is a measure of our success. By maintaining intact habitat for jaguars and scarlet macaws, we ensure the conservation of thousands of other forest dependent species. To maintain that intact habitat, our focus must be threefold: ensuring that protected areas are effectively managed by government and other stakeholders; providing training and support so that communities are positioned to manage their forest concessions; and tracking the species and landscape trends that indicate success or need for adaptive management. Our conservation objectives will be met when a key set of management programs and circumstances are in place: n Local management of community forest concessions reduces forest fires and illegal colonization, with 90% of concession areas free of fire, deforestation and illegal colonization; n Protected areas of the eastern MBR are well managed by government and NGO partners, with intact forest cover free of fire and colonization; n Trends in habitat and key landscape species are used by government and na- Right, from top and counter- tional institutions to improve the adaptive management of the eastern MBR clockwise: A vision of the eastern landscape, as measured by abundance of wildlife and government resource MBR (mahogany); studying scarlet allocation in the reserve. macaws; scarlet macaw, Ara macao 6 7 ADDRESSING THE RISKS The growing conservation constituency in the eastern MBR is a critical ingredient to well-managed forest concessions, fire control, local NGO engagement and a government able and willing to play its management and enforcement roles in protected areas. WCS is building on that opportunity, and has designed core activities around each of the three areas described above: To ensure effective local management of community forest concessions, WCS is: n Helping three keystone community management areas (Uaxactún, Car- melita, and Paso Caballos) conserve habitat by improving local capacity and promoting alternative livelihoods; n Leading fire prevention programs in eight community forest concessions; n Providing integrated education programs as strong local incentives for habitat conservation in five keystone communities. To ensure that protected areas of the eastern MBR are well managed by govern- ment and NGO partners, WCS is: n Supporting local partners to protect Laguna del Tigre macaw nesting areas from fire and colonization; n Supporting national government and NGO leadership of the Mirador Rio Azul Roundtable (see Building Consensus box, opposite