Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important...

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Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes slopes C. Ronald Carroll, Univ. of Georgia

Transcript of Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important...

Page 1: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Choco-Andes Corridor

Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two

globally important “hotspots” of

biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western

Andes slopes

C. Ronald Carroll, Univ. of Georgia

Rebeca Justicia, Univ. of Georgia and Fundacion

Maquipucuna

Page 2: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 3: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 4: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 5: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 6: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 7: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 8: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 9: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Maquipucuna lodge

Page 10: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Buildings constructed from local sustainable

material• Majority construction is with native bamboo

(reputation as “poor man’s wood”)

• Two international awards for eco-tourism and community development

Page 11: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Choco-Andes Corridor

Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two

globally important “hotspots” of

biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western

Andes slopes

C. Ronald Carroll, Univ. of Georgia

Rebeca Justicia, Univ. of Georgia and Fundacion

Maquipucuna

Page 12: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 13: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 14: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Buildings constructed from local sustainable

material• Majority construction is with native bamboo

(reputation as “poor man’s wood”)

• Two international awards for eco-tourism and community development

Page 15: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 16: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 17: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 18: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 19: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 20: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 21: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 22: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 23: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Young sunlit leaves are favored. Riders may ward off phorid fly parasites

Page 24: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Fungus mycelia with new leaves (left)

Page 25: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Mature Atta nest at San Luis, UGA Costa Rica site

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The worst parts are the hairs !

Page 28: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Docile…as long as you don’t make a fist. Worst parts are the hairs.

Dendrobatid frog

Page 29: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 30: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Emerald tree boa

Page 31: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Male Saberwing Hummingbird at defense

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Quetzals, toucans, and many other fruit-eating birds are major dispersers of tree seeds. Their ecosystem service maintains the forest. This Quetzal is holding a fruit of a wild relative of the avocado.

Page 35: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 36: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Choco-Andes Corridor

Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two

globally important “hotspots” of

biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western

Andes slopes

C. Ronald Carroll, Univ. of Georgia

Rebeca Justicia, Univ. of Georgia and Fundacion

Maquipucuna

Page 37: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 38: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 39: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Buildings constructed from local sustainable

material• Majority construction is with native bamboo

(reputation as “poor man’s wood”)

• Two international awards for eco-tourism and community development

Page 40: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 41: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 42: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 43: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 44: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.
Page 45: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Ancient Incan and Yumbo trails extend between mountains and lowlands. Known as coluncos, they are worn deep by centuries of use.

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Class for ecotourism guides

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Page 49: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Chonta palm Tagua palm

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Page 51: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Carvings from tagua nuts

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Shade-grown organic coffee

• 260 family coffee growers in project

• Direct marketing• Maintain highest quality beans

• Profit to grower is four times more

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“Dancing goats” discovery of coffee in Ethiopia mountains

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Rainforest

Shade-grown coffee

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Coffee summary

• Direct marketing, brand naming and premium quality brings 4X profit to grower

(Choco-Andes Coffee under 1000 Faces brand)

• Surrogate forest overstory in bird-friendly shade-grown organic coffee shelters forest birds

• Growers’ alliance receives advice and information but not direction

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Chocolate

Food of the gods

Page 73: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Cacao growers in our project are afro-ecuadorianos and indigenous chachis.

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Cacao was the drink of the Mayan nobility and the beans were monetary currency

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Aztec nobility with cacao drink. Note serpent god.

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Chocolate introduced into 18th Century Europe remained a luxury drink

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The alkaloids in chocolate are mildly addictive and induce the release of endorphins. Besides behaving as a pain regulator, endorphins are also thought to be connected to physiological processes including euphoric feelings, appetite modulation, and the release of sex hormones.

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Hand sorting for quality important for premium quality chocolate

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Small cacao flowers are pollinated by a midge whose larvae live in forest litter.

Monillia pod disease.

Page 84: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Black Cocoa Ant controls several major cacao pests

Page 85: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Indonesian cacao farmer carrying bags with palm leaves and ant colonies.

Bags will be suspended in cacao trees.

Page 86: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Chocolate processing

• Fat (cocoa butter) is extracted• Remaining liquid or powder is the base

• Small amounts of cocoa butter and sugar are added to reduce bitterness

• Milk added to make milk chocolate• White chocolate made from cocoa butter

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Benefits of dark chocolate?

• Dark chocolate contains flavenoids, polyphenols, and releases nitric oxide in blood

• Relaxes blood vessels and reduces blood pressure

• No benefit from white chocolate• Am J Clin Nutr 2005 vol 81

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Page 89: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Major producers and consumers of chocolate

Page 90: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Note that the world price of cacao beans has declined steadily since a peak in the mid-1970s. Generally cost of living has increased steadily over this period.

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Bamboo used for…

• Low-cost renewable housing• Source of farmer income• Reduce pasture erosion• Increase biodiversity• Reduce deforestation• Sale of carbon credits

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Maquipucuna lodge

Constructed mainly with palm and bamboo

Page 98: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Large amounts of carbon are stored in bamboo roots. Our bamboo has a clumping habit and this has important ecological consequences.

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Carbon stock storage• Bamboo soil 60.8-123 Mg/ha• Pasture soil 33.4-75.3 Mg/ha• Bamboo biomass 51.8-95.6 Mg/ha• Pasture biomass 3.53-8.14 Mg/ha• Lower C/N under bamboo• Lower bulk density under bamboo• Deeper C storage under bamboo??

Mg=1000kg of carbon

Page 100: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Carbon sequestration: the newest initiative

• RICOH corporation in Japan purchased one million dollars in carbon credits

• In return we reforest 640 hectares of degraded pasture with native trees that will sequester carbon (above and below ground)

• 150 hectares are designed (we hope) as tropical equivalent of Temperate Zone FACE forests

Page 101: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Degraded pasture conversion

Guadua or forest?

• ChoCO2 CDM project over 20 years• 523 ha of degraded pasture• 165,997 tCO2 reforestation with CDM guidelines

• 1,263,000 tCO2 from harvested Guadua

• 7.6X more CO2 stored with Guadua

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Pasture conversion con’t

• Each 100 ha of Guadua after 5 years generates approximately $106,000 USD annual gross revenue from harvest sales plus carbon credits and…

• Reduces demand on timber from forest lands.

• Rate of deforestation in bamboo project area is now approximately 0%

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Site suitability for Guadua in the Choco-AndesCorridor. Red has highest suitability.

Page 104: Choco-Andes Corridor Conserving biodiversity and livelihoods in two globally important “hotspots” of biodiversity, the lowland choco and the western Andes.

Environmental education is fundamentally

important to long-term sustainability

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Coffee, chocolate, birds, and people “migrate” between the forested environments of Ecuador and Georgia. Therefore, we think of this connection as “Our Shared Forest”.

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Our Shared Forest

• The forests of Ecuador and the US are linked by several processes1. Bird migration2. Coffee and Chocolate trade3. Exchange of students and faculty4. Exchange of environmental education

programs

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