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Case Study: Ecological corridors in ecological networks

This case study is part of the IUCN Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors illustrating initiatives around the world that are working toward maintaining, enhancing, and restoring ecological connectivity. See all case studies here.

Protection of the free-flowing Bita River

By Jose Saulo Usma and Cesar Suarez, WWF Colombia, Fernando Trujillo, Omacha Foundation, and Michele Thieme, WWF-US

Key lesson

Management agreements within this Ramsar site are important to maintain connectivity for both freshwater and terrestrial species by managing activities in the watershed such as sport-fishing and agriculture.

Context and challenge
The Bita River in Colombia is 520 km long and its basin covers about 822,000 ha (Figures 1, 2). The river begins as a small, spring-fed stream in the middle of the llanos, a network of grasslands and seasonally flooded plains. The river meanders freely through this important and unique ecosystem, creating deep lagoons and beautiful beaches, until it reaches the Orinoco River. Along its path, the still- free-flowing Bita River supports rich biodiversity: freshwater fish, turtles (Podonecmis spp.) and crocodiles (Crocodylus spp.), river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), jaguars (Panthera onca), tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), otters, and many other mammals, reptiles and birds.

Despite Colombia’s wealth in natural assets, research has revealed that the llanos are one of the most under-protected ecosystems in the country. The country’s ecosystems are increasingly under pressure from extractive industries, livestock grazing, large timber plantations and urbanisation. Additionally, the connectivity afforded by the Bita River allows migration of freshwater fish and seasonal movements of dolphins, both of which are critical for local livelihoods, including sustainable tourism, birdwatching and sport fishing.

Approach

he Alliance for the Bita River was created in 2014 and is composed of the Omacha Foundation, the Alexander von Humboldt Research Institute for Biological Resources, Corporinoquia, the Vichada Government, the Colombian Navy, Colombia’s National Parks, the Palmarito Foundation, the Orinoco Foundation, La Pedregoza Corporation, and WWF. Since then, the alliance, fishers, tourism representatives, social and environmental organisations, scientists and local people have all been working together to protect the Bita.

To advance conversations about legally protecting the Bita, the alliance hosted a series of workshops with local stakeholders to understand the connections among various activities (such as agriculture and sustainable tourism) and protection. After better understanding the cause-and-effect relationships of these multi-sector activities, the group developed a decision- making framework that uses quantitative data to demonstrate the impacts of certain actions. This framework helped the government, the alliance and other partners choose the best actions to take to conserve the Bita River while meeting the needs of stakeholders.

Figure 1. The Bita River Ramsar site in Colombia © Omacha Foundation, Courtesy Fernando Trujillo

Examples of ecological corridors

The free-flowing Bita River supports movement and migration of many species, including the following:

  • River dolphins: The Bita has one of the best populations of river dolphins thanks to its proximity to the Meta and Orinoco rivers, which supply food (fish) for the dolphins and key habitats for their reproduction.
  • Migratory fish: The different types of water and the longitudinal and lateral connectivity between the Bita (black waters), Meta (white waters), and Orinoco (mixed waters) and their wetlands favour the reproduction of many migratory species.
  • Tapirs, jaguars, and pumas: It is estimated that 600–700 tapirs, 60–70 jaguars and 100–120 pumas (Puma concolor) live in the Bita River Basin thanks to the ecological integrity of its forests and wetlands.
  • Other species: The river corridor will support the conservation of other species such as peacock bass (Cichla spp.), freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygon spp.), giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), and river turtles.

Figure 2. Aerial view of the Bita River landscape © Omacha Foundation, Courtesy Fernando Trujillo

Results

On June 23, 2018, the Bita River was added to the List of Wetlands of International Importance of the Ramsar Convention. It is the largest Ramsar site in Colombia and one of the first anywhere to protect an entire free-flowing river and its basin (822,600 ha). Since the declaration, a management plan has been developed for the Ramsar site by the Omacha Foundation, Orinoquia Foundation, National University of Colombia, and RESNATUR (a private nature reserve network).

The management plan details actions to conserve and sustainably use the Bita’s fisheries because the river is the epicentre for sport fishing in Colombia and important for the ornamental fish trade. Additionally, an agreement has been made to create within the Ramsar site an ecological corridor (228,000 ha) that connects the Upper and Middle Bita rivers and allows movement of 34 species of medium- and large- sized mammals including tapir, jaguar, puma, river dolphins, otters and migratory fishes. Among others, the agreement was signed between the Ministry of Environment, the Omacha Foundation, the Project Design Developers-Folgers Inc., the Tapirs Specialist Group of IUCN SCC, the forestry sector, and the farmers who are located within the ecological corridor in the Ramsar site. These parties committed to undertake sustainable agricultural practices and livestock production, forestry and responsible fruit production within the corridor and support the monitoring of flagship wildlife populations.