Interrelated modeling of land use and habitat for the design of an ecological corridor A case study in the Yungas, Argentina Daniel J. Somma Promotor: Prof. dr. ir. H.N. van Lier, Co-promotoren: Dr. ir. R.H.G. Jongman, Dr. ir. R.J.A. van Lammeren Promotiecommissie: Prof. dr. ir. A. Veldkamp. Wageningen University Prof. dr. A. Skidmore. ITC, Enschede and Wageningen University Prof. dr. J. H. Morello Wyler, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prof. dr. E. B Zoomers, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Nederland Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd binnen de onderzoekschool WIMEK Interrelated modeling of land use and habitat for the design of an ecological corridor A case study in the Yungas, Argentina Daniel J. Somma Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor op gezag van de rector magnificus van Wageningen Universiteit, prof. dr. M. J. Kropff, in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 6 december 2006 des namiddags te vier uur in de Aula. Author: Somma, D.J. Title: Interrelated modeling of land use and habitat for the design of an ecological corridor A case study in the Yungas, Argentina Thesis Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands – with references – with summaries in English, Dutch, and Spanish. Publication year: 2006 ISBN: 90-8504-534-7 Subject headings: nature conservation, habitat fragmentation, connectivity, planning, Yungas, Argentina. This thesis research is a joined cooperative effort by Wageningen University (The Netherlands) and Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) Para Mariana, Natalia y Emilia Para mis viejos: Olga y Miguel Para Germán “...nunca me creo en la cima o en la gloria, eso es un gran fantasma...” (...I never believe in the summit or the glory, it is a great ghost...) León Gieco (La colina de la vida) Contemporary argentine singer (1951; Cañada Rosquín, Santa Fe Province, Argentina) FOREWORD The Planning and the people In this thesis we are principally dealing with physical planning applied to nature conservation. Physical planning is one of the four principles currents of planning which also includes: social, public policy and economic planning (Fabos 1985). The interaction with the other three dimensions should be taken into account. Recent evolution of the concepts and tools (proactive approach, Decision Support Systems, GIS, etc.) for physical planning have improved the possibilities of the planners for successful results. There is encouraged a proactive attitude towards planning, avoid biodiversity and habitat loss through proper sitting and design; post-implementation mitigation is a last recourse (Treweek 1999, Leitâo and Ahern 2002). In the Netherlands is furthered this proactive strategic planning: to communicate the spatial landscape consequences of specific policy decisions (Harms et al. 1993, von Haaren and Warren-Kretschmar 2006). Among the tools scenarios modeling are particularly useful for attaining this purpose. All present land-use planning is stressed between two seemingly contradictory dimensions: ecological conservation and economic existence (van Lier 1998). Both dimensions are, in someway or another, related to sustainability. Sustainable development is defined as that development style that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (UN 1987). Little literature on sustainability exists at the landscape and regional scales. Yet these scales may be the most relevant for accomplishing sustainability. (Forman 1995). Slowly changing attributes as assays for sustainability are the most appropriate since they are compatible with the necessary time frame to plan sustainably, e.g. biodiversity, water, soils, etc. (Forman 1995). And, Sustainability should be seen as a direction, rather than a concrete goal (Forman 1995, Zonneveld 1995). We are here working in a landscape syntheresis approach (from the greek word syntereo: “to preserve”). These are plans and actions defined in order to prevent future negative impacts on the landscape and to assure their sustainable functioning (Leitâo and Ahern 2002). Finally, for us the public participation in the planning processes is essential. It is a “must be” to successful planning. Research has demonstrated that people are more likely to accept an issue purposed when they had an active voice in the decision-making processes (Decker and Chase 1997). Validation by a representative group of stakeholders is needed before policy decisions are actually made. A democratic way of decision-making that can go beyond political and economic interests, and that may be able to acknowledge and solve land use planning problems and social injustices is probably the only way to achieve sustainable development (Seghezzo et al. 2003). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The work described in this thesis was mainly developed in National Parks Administration of Argentina and specifically in its Planning Department and the national parks Calilegua (Jujuy province) and Baritú (Salta province). Wageningen University (WUR, the Netherlands), the Netherlands Foundation for the Advancement of Tropical Research (Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek van de Tropen en Ontwikkelingslanden, WOTRO), the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program and Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras (FFyL-UBA) funded this work. I am deeply grateful to many people who supported me in getting data and writing this thesis. Firstly, special thanks are due Professor Hubert van Lier, who was generous with his time and insights, and who did much to present and explain the impressive model of spatial planning and sustainable land use policies that the Netherlands represents. I would like to thank my “promotor”, Prof. Dr. ir. Hubert van Lier, for his motivating direction throughout this research. His deep sense about land use planning, his experience on the dilemma between development and sustainability worldwide and his commitment to sustainable development and global justice encouraged me to start and go on with the long process of doing a Ph.D. thesis on this subject. Huub, your support allowed me to continue beyond the (somes) ups and downs of my thesis development. Your kind visits and talks at Calilegua, Salta and Buenos Aires were energy subsidies to continue in my effort. Thanks a lot to you and Elly for your support! I also want to vividly express my sincere gratitude to my “co-promotoren”, Dr. Rob Jongman and Dr. Ron van Lammeren. Rob encouraged me during both the proposal presentation stage and the whole research. Rob lighted me with the needed energy during my dark periods visiting several times at Buenos Aires. Thanks a lot, “Maestro”, to you and Annet! Ron generously advised me during my first contact to Wageningen University: Cordoba, Spain, 1992; and then during my M.Sc. thesis (1994-1996). He showed me the spirit of Wageningen and its sinful environment for research and science. Thanks a lot, Dr., I discovered the WUR because you! Rob and Ron managed to supervise my work in a framework of friendship, creativity, and receptiveness. Without their support and helpful comments and criticisms of the typescript at various stages in its development, this thesis would never have been completed. Thanks a lot to all of you, Huub, Rob and Ron! Thanks are also due to Ankie Lamberts, Jeanine Hermans and Joeri Kalwij for helping me with practical and financial matters. During my M Sc I received a great feedback from the ITC people, my special thanks to the warm hospitality and friendship of Johan and Lucero de Meijere, Sergio Gonzalez, Graciela Metternicht, Fabio Fussi and Paola Napolitano. My colleagues from that M.Sc. course were also a support later. Thanks to Peter and Yngrid Bergmann, Eduardo Santos, Isabel Bielsa and Menno Schleppel, and Hawa Sekhela Msham. My thanks to my colleagues and students from Buenos Aires whose input helped to shape this thesis, especially to my Professor and Mentor in National Parks and University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Prof. Dr. Jorge Morello (¡Gracias por siempre Jorge!) and my Counselor, Dr. Claudia Natenzon and to Dr. Silvia Matteucci for her kindness and enthusiasm. Also, my special thanks to Dr. Hugo Trinchero, the dean of FFyL-UBA and Dr. Silvia Llomovatte, they helped me a lot with all the procedures of the University. Special thanks also to Dr. Sandra Luque from CEMAGREF (Grenoble) who always encouraged me to continue this research. My colleagues from UBA, Claudio Daniele (gracias por tu apoyo y amistad siempre, Claudio), Lia Bachmann, Andrea Frassetto and María Isabel de Andrade (¡gracias Isa por tu generosidad!) enriched my research and supported me with their friendship. I also thanks to Professor Andy Millington (University of Leicester), thanks a lot for his support to this research during the Bio Andes project. My deepest gratitude goes to Pablo Perovic and Sandra Caziani. Pablo generously shared his feline’s data from his PhD thesis, gave me a first view of the region and widely supported me with his friendship. Sandra, a bright scientist, backed me with her kindness and comments. This thesis is also a humble tribute to her. Special thanks go to my old friends from the Agronomy school - UBA, Jose Luis Licciardo (¡gracias Ruso!), Roberto (¡Hermano del Alma: Tío!) and Graciela Ateiro, Horacio Delgadino (¡“Hermano del Alma: Cabezón!”), Angela Fattigati (¡Tana!), Victor Sadras (¡Victorino Viejo nomás, Hermano del Alma: ¡gracias de corazón, hermano, por el aguante, las traducciones y el aliento!), Ana Ruben and Gabriela Nuñez. Thanks all of you for your enduring friendship. Thanks