Increasing connectivity and biodiversity conservation in livestock dominated
landscapes: the BioPaSOS project
Martínez-Salinas, Alejandra1; Jiménez-Trujillo, José Antonio1; Messa Arboleda, Héctor Fabio1; Pérez, Edwin1; Sepúlveda L., Claudia J.1
1CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica
Keywords: Livestock, biodiversity, México, agroforestry, connectivity
Why?
Increasing habitat connectivity in livestock dominated landscapes is critical to
secure wildlife populations viability in the long-term. The project Scaling up
biodiversity conservation through climate-smart agrosilvopastoral practices in
landscapes dominated by cattle-raising systems in three regions of Mexico known as
BioPaSOS, aims at improving biodiversity conservation through the promotion of
agroforestry practices such as live fences and trees in pastures (Fig. 1), that increase
connectivity while improving habitat quality for wildlife and farm productivity.
Where and How?
BioPaSOS is implementing actions in three intervention territories located in the
Mexican states of Jalisco, Chiapas and Campeche, considered hotspots for
biodiversity conservation and where livestock production is dominant. Promotion of
agroforestry practices is conducted via learning communities which integrate
multiple actors through a series of activities involving capacity building, research
and interaction with the private sector (Fig. 2).
Capacity building activities targeting cattle ranchers are developed via Farmers
Field Schools (FFS), and currently include over 1200 cattle rancher families [400
per implementing territory]. FFS sessions are defined following farmers needs and
are complemented by BioPaSOS goal to promote biodiversity conservation through
agroforestry practices that can contribute to increase connectivity, habitat quality
and farm productivity (Fig. 3).
Figure 1. Livestock benefitting from the shade produced by live fences and
shrubs/trees in pastures. Campeche, México. Proyecto BioPaSOS.
Figure 2. Schematic depicting the different elements that integrate BioPaSOS
Learning Communities. (1) Capacity building activities implemented with cattle
ranchers and technical staff from local partner organizations, (2) research agenda
developed in collaboration with local research institutes, and (3) the interaction with
the private sector. Proyecto BioPaSOS.
BioPaSOS works in collaboration with multiple local partners from government and
non-government organizations including state and federal government agencies,
cattle rancher associations, research-oriented entities [Universities and Research
Centers] and the private sector, all to promote agroforestry practices that can help
increase the biodiversity conservation value of these livestock dominated
landscapes.
Figure 3. Cattle ranchers participating in Farmers Field School sessions. Campeche,
México. Proyecto BioPaSOS.
Outreach and public resources
The BioPaSOS project has created and made available to the public a series of
resources related to livestock production and biodiversity conservation. These
resources are available through the project web site http://www.biopasos.com and
include a large information repository, virtual forums discussing topics related to
livestock production and biodiversity conservation, among others (Fig. 4).
Figure 4. Proyecto BioPaSOS web site.