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.
Connectivity, ecosystem services and Nature-based Solutions in Land-use planning in Costa Rica
By Félix Zumbado Morales and Jonathan Agüero Valverde, Research Program in Sustainable Urban Development, University of Costa Rica
Key lesson
Costa Rica has a three-pronged approach to land conservation: protected areas, ecological corridors and sustainable management of the matrix; different levels of human use are allowed depending on the protection level.
Context and challenge
Costa Rica is a small nation of 51,000 km2 that contains about 5% of global biodiversity. The sustainable management of biodiversity is one of the pillars of the work carried out by the country. Protected areas are the country’s primary conservation strategy, playing a crucial role in the protection of ecosystems. Costa Rica’s second most important conservation strategy is the ecological corridor program, managed by the Costa Rican government, but working hand in hand with communities through local ecological corridor committees. Municipal land management plans have emerged as a third tool complementing protected areas and ecological corridors. These management plans generate the guidelines necessary to allow human development activities to be carried out while maintaining sustainable landscapes, taking into consideration the comprehensive use of the regions. Protected areas and ecological corridors are incorporated into the land management plans; the same is true for the principles of ecosystem services and Nature-based Solutions as decision-making tools.
Carara National Park, Costa Rica © Adobe Stock
Approach
Land management plans are a tool that local governments can use to generate regulations that complement protected areas and ecological corridors. These three land management tools are complementary and must be developed in an integrated fashion to achieve a systematic approach to planning. Management plans implement ecological corridors through tools such as the establishment of specific areas for focal species; the preservation of agricultural areas that function as biological, conservation and sustainable tourism corridors; the creation of buffer zones around protected areas; and the zoning of aquifer recharge zones for the protection of water sources for local and regional populations. Through the University of Costa Rica’s Sustainable Urban Development Research Program (UCR-ProDUS is the Spanish acronym), land management plans for more than a dozen municipalities have been developed, including the protected areas Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, Ballena Marine National Park, Juan Castro Blanco Water National Park and Carara National Park.
Examples of ecological corridors
UCR-ProDUS developed a land management plan for the Canton of Garabito, which contains the Paso de las Lapas Ecological Corridor (Figure 1). This ecological corridor encompasses 56,200 ha and connects protected areas in the mountains (La Cangraja National Park, Cerros de Turrubares protected area and Carara National Park) with coastal areas. The Paso de las Lapas Ecological Corridor was established in 2007 through an executive order. In Costa Rica, ecological corridors are not state conservation areas, but are a different conservation strategy promoted by the National System of Conservation Areas through the national program of ecological corridors. The ecological corridors connect protected areas, preserve water resources and protect biodiversity. The land plan establishes regulations that ensure the sustainable management of the region. Planning took into account the location of protected areas; the benefit of ecosystem services such as carbon capture, aquifer recharge zones protection and flood regulation; and the value of Nature-based Solutions such as national park buffer zones, river basin management and agricultural land protection. The land management plan strengthens the functionality of the ecological corridors and gives greater control over their management through the input of local governments. Buffer zones and proposed wildlife crossings are important elements of corridor management and implementation. In the land management plan for the Canton of Garabito, measures to protect the Paso de las Lapas Ecological Corridor include zoning of protected areas, low- intensity agriculture and ecotourism areas.
Figure 1. Proposed land uses in the region of Canton of Garabito containing the Paso de las Lapas Ecological Corridor © Research Program in Sustainable Urban Development (ProDUS) Universidad de Costa Rica
Results
Land management can be an ally of conservation and sustainable development. It can promote ecological connectivity by strengthening ecological corridors that link protected areas. Currently, the Paso de las Lapas land management plan is in the final phase of the approval process. The regulations of the land management plan can help to:
- Reduce conflicts between owners and the municipality;
- Protect ecological connectivity;
- Promote ecotourism and other low-intensity activities;
- Support the ecological corridor’s conservation objectives;
- Restrict intensive uses such as residential and industrial development, and other incompatible land uses; and
- Protect fragile ecosystems such as wetlands and mountains.