Jaime Cantera

Threats to mangrove social-ecological systems in the most luxuriant coastal forests of the Neotropics

Mangrove forests are recognized for the important role they play for human societies in a changing world (Lee et al. 2014). Yet alarming levels of destruction and degradation occur in tropical regions, where these ecosystems flourish. A vivid example of degradation in the Neotropics is witnessed in Ecuador where 28–40 % of mangroves were lost to shrimp farming between 1970 and 2006 (Hamilton 2013). In the mid-twentieth century, the late geographer Robert West (Louisiana State University), inspired by images of Rhizophora mangrove trees more than 40 m high, referred to Colombia’s Pacific ultra-humid tidal forest as ‘‘the most luxuriant mangroves in the World’’ (West 1956). Sixty years later, these forests and the whole social-ecological system face increasing threats that are not prioritized in national and international conservation and management fora. This letter focuses on the history of exploitation of Colombia’s Pacific mangroves, and raises an urgent call to halt the threats facing this representative ecosystem of the Neotropics. Mangroves in the Colombian Pacific (ca. 300,000 ha, eight mangrove species; Fig. 1) constitute the majority of the Panama Bight mangroves, one of eight mangrove global eco-regions (Olson and Dinerstein 1998). The Colombian Pacific coast is still sparsely populated (5–17 inhabitants/km) in part due to the absence of coastal roads and the existence of only two roads connecting the coastal cities of Buenaventura and Tumaco with

Coral Reef Conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

This chapter reviews and evaluates coral reef conservation strategies along the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP), a narrow biogeographic region on the Pacific American coast that extends from southern Baja California, Mexico to northern Peru, including several oceanic islands. The ETP is a natural laboratory, a model for understanding the development of coral biotopes in a changing environment. We evaluate conservation strategies in seven countries in the ETP region (Peru was not included for apparent lack of coral habitats). A survey of current Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) highlights great variation in the number, scale and management approaches. Generally, MPAs with no-take areas are relatively uncommon, with multi-purpose areas favored. The Cabo Pulmo MPA in Baja California, Mexico demonstrates that when a local community is involved in the creation and enforcement measures of an MPA, conservation success can be achieved. Despite such apparent successes, inadequate and confusing legal practices have generally forestalled effective protection of coral ecosystems in the ETP. However, in several instances nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have assisted with planning, negotiation and stakeholder engagement. Nonetheless these findings underscore how the establishment of an MPA does not guarantee that conservation goals will be achieved. This calls for a new approach that incorporates contributions from ecological studies along with a high investment in capacity development and training to ensure that the goals of MPAs better complement effective fisheries and ecosystem management within and outside their borders.