Biodiversity and EcosystemServices in Monquentiva, Colombia – a case study of conservation :

Abstract:

In the Eastern Andean mountain range in Colombia there is an ongoing project with the aim of preserving important conservation values such as water resources and biodiversity. In the light of climate change and increased land use there is a pressing need of managing remaining natural habitats and the services they provide in the Colombian Andes. As part of a conservation corridor around the city of Bogotá, the proposed protected area of Monquentiva could increase the connectivity and resilience of the remaining ecosystems in the area. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment states the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity for the provisioning of ecosystem services and as a prerequisite for human wellbeing. From a sustainable development point of view the assessment was used as a basis for a paradigm analysis of conservation values. The main question of the paper is how the protection of an area can incorporate both biodiversity and ecosystem services at the lowest cost possible. The conclusion is that a combination of biodiversity and ecosystem services for more cost efficient conservation strategies is desired. It could bring an increased focus on economical benefits and increase the willingness of decision makers to increase protection of important areas. Intrinsic value and cultural services could be complementing for conservation implementation. For the area of Monquentiva, the willingness of the landowners to participate and contribute with available means seem promising for future ecosystem management.