Rethinking nature conservation in Colombia: a case study of other effective area‐based conservation measures

Abstract

In Colombia, a country of great cultural and ecosystemic heterogeneity, there are many conservation strategies beyond protected areas that stem from both legal frameworks and local territorial processes. After much debate, these have been termed Complementary Conservation Strategies (CCSs), and their identification and recognition are necessary to achieving the country's conservation objectives. At the international level, under the leadership of the IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas, progress has been made in defining criteria to identify 'other effective area-based conservation measures' (OECMs), and the uptake of these guidelines by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected during the next Conference of the Parties meeting (COP 14). In Colombia, we have run the draft criteria for OECMs against several case studies to identify the main similarities and differences. This paper presents in detail three CCS case studies that show whether and to what degree these include elements relevant to OECMs. The criteria and principal considerations regarding them are analysed. We conclude that, given the similarities, the international debate provides an opportunity to identify, recognise, report and enhance these strategies in Colombia.

Progress developing the concept of other effective area‐based conservation measures

“…These included 2 studies evaluating individual sites (e.g., Diz et al., 2018; Echeverri et al., 2021) (Table 2). Studies that focused on multiple sites (6) ranged from small‐scale assessments of 2 or 3 similar sites (e.g., complementary conservation strategies [Matallana‐Tobón et al., 2018]) (Table 2) to hundreds of similar (e.g., fisheries restricted areas [Petza et al., 2019]) or diverse sites (e.g., key biodiversity areas [Donald et al., 2019]). Two case studies undertook a system‐level assessment (Table 2).…”

“…For example, because countries are already declaring OECMs, there is an opportunity for researchers to directly evaluate whether these OECMs increase ecological representation and connectivity between existing conservation areas. Studies evaluating whether sites meet the relevant criteria to be OECMs (Table 2) also offer insight into how existing OECMs could be evaluated, addressing the risks (e.g., areas may not benefit biodiversity [Matallana‐Tobón et al., 2018]) and benefits (e.g., achieving a balance between management objectives [Petza et al., 2019]). More studies are needed that document the benefits associated with currently registered OECMs and to evaluate negative consequences they have for biodiversity (e.g., evaluating conservation outcomes) and local communities (e.g., ethnographic studies).…”

“…This may involve recognizing a category of candidate OECMs—areas that are on‐track to meet the criteria of in situ biodiversity conservation but are still in the process of ecosystem recovery. This approach could also be applied to sites with the potential to improve management, monitoring, and long‐term conservation outcomes if given additional support (Matallana‐Tobón et al., 2018). Meeting all of the relevant criteria to be recognized as OECMs is challenging for many areas (Rodríguez‐Rodríguez et al., 2021); therefore, identifying potential OECMs that could achieve positive outcomes if given additional support could be used to target conservation resources or fund‐raising efforts.…”

Protecting and restoring habitats to benefit freshwater biodiversity

“…Colombian CCSs aim to deliver on biodiversity conservation objectives by contributing to the connectivity of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), and in allowing for diverse local and regional governance systems across the country. 228 Objectives: Analyses funded through the Tropical Forest Conservation Act identified the Bita River to be important for conservation. Conservation values include biodiversity, forest and wetland habitat, culture, community livelihoods reliant on tourism and recreational activities, like bird watching and fishing.…”