Ecuadorian Community Identifies Important Bird Area
Earthwatch-supported scientist and local community bring the biodiversity of Ecuador's coastal Colonche Hills to the attention of conservationists around the world.
The Loma Alta region of Ecuador has been included on the national inventory of Important Bird Areas, increasing the potential for a sustainable ecotourism economy in the nation's coastal Colonche Hills. Known for its stunning bird biodiversity, including many species of conservation concern, Loma Alta is one of 107 areas identified by CECIA (Ecuador's national bird conservation organization) to be published in the Regional Directory of Important Bird Areas of the Tropical Andes early next year. Its inclusion is due in large part to the efforts of the Loma Alta local community.
A reserve in Loma Alta was established in 1996 with the aid of Earthwatch Institute volunteer research teams, when Earthwatch-supported biologist Dr. Dusti Becker (University of New Mexico-Gallup) helped the local community conserve their forest and its tropical diversity. Last year, the Ecuadorian people proposed to designate the Loma Alta region as an Important Bird Area (IBA, or AICA for Área Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves), following further research by Becker and colleagues with Conservation International and Birdlife International.
Earthwatch teams working in the Loma Alta watershed with Becker, principal investigator of Earthwatch's Ecuador Forest Birds project, recorded 12 endangered bird species and found 42 bird species endemic to the region, one of the most important sites for the tiny Esmeralda'a Woodstar hummingbird. The community of Loma Alta, the local non-governmental organization (NGO) Aves de Ecuador (Birds of Ecuador), and CECIA prompted IBA listing by giving this research national attention.
"This reserve is undoubtedly one of the most important areas for bird conservation in Ecuador, given the great number of threatened and restricted-range species, but also-and of primary importance-given the interest of the local communities," said Juan Freile, former national coordinator of the IBA program for Ecuador. "Both community authorities and the rest of Loma Alta's inhabitants are very interested in promoting conservation-oriented activities, giving important support to Aves del Ecuador and Dr. Becker. "
Earthwatch teams working in the 1990s with Becker, then co-director of the NGO People Allied with Nature, helped the Loma Alta community realize the importance of saving the nearby forest from deforestation, for both biological and economic reasons. They showed both the local community and the scientific community that these forests captured coastal fog and mist and sustained the water supply that was crucial to the growth of crops.
"Our Earthwatch research has facilitated this well-informed collaboration among indigenous people, local conservation NGOs and national level decision-makers," said Becker. "IBA listing is something that will capture the attention of a lot of people around the world because there is a lot of interest in bird watching."
The publication of the national directory will draw international attention to Loma Alta, and with local support assured will eventually lead to official designation as an Important Birding Area. But the responsibility for identifying, monitoring and protecting IBAs rests with national and local organizations and individuals. The incentive for designation is the potential for tourism income from bird watchers and others interested in conservation.
"Recognizing Colonche Hills and Loma Alta as an Important Bird Area will help preserve the species there and bring a lot of international attention to that part of Ecuador," Becker explained. "Each year, $3.2 billion is spent on bird watching worldwide, so this will help to bring some of that money to this area. This has the potential to help the community protect nature while increasing its economic sustainability."
Earthwatch teams continue to help Becker survey birds in Loma Alta Ecological Reserve, tracking seasonal shifts in bird populations. Becker is also helping Ecuadorian nonprofit organizations facilitate local training programs so Ecuadorians are better prepared to host tourists. She wants to prevent negative impacts of tourism by keeping everything simple and authentic, encouraging local people to develop their own ideas.
"In general, most of the biodiversity in the world is in the tropics, so it's important to conserve there. However, most of the money is here in the northern hemisphere," said Becker. "We need to get people to travel to the tropics so that some of the tourism money is getting into South America and making it economically easier for them to protect the forests and feed their families."
More information on Dr. Dusti Becker's ongoing work is found at www.earthwatch.org/expeditions/becker.html
For more information on Ecuador's IBA program (in Spanish), go to www.cecia.org/projects/aicas.php
Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.