This document presents the proposed methodology for the development of Land Use Plans (PLUT) in Protected Areas. In 2004, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources through the Directorate of Protected Areas and the Project for the Management of the Upper Yaque del Norte River Basin (PROCARYN) began actions in order to develop Management Plans for the Protected Areas of the Central Cordillera, for this a multidisciplinary team of national and international planners is integrated in order to create viable Management Plans adjusted to the management and administration characteristics of the Dominican Republic.
During the development of the Management Plan for the Juan Bautista Pérez Rancier National Park (Valle Nuevo), the team of planners was able to establish characteristics of use that contravene both the management category and the conservation objectives, the conflicts of land use identified in fact They could merit an in-depth study that allows a special zoning or to reach the recategorization of a protected area.
technical-sheet-1-1The socio-productive conditions of the protected area make it necessary to develop models that make it possible in the medium term to reconcile management for conservation and a gradual and acceptable use of the soil and all natural resources. There are approximately 24 communities with direct and indirect interference in the use of the land within and on the periphery of the protected area, in addition to 15 owners (or possessors) of land in the central zone of the highland valley.
It is estimated that by the year 2000 there were approximately 3,000 people living and / or working in the protected area according to the Comprehensive Ecological Assessment prepared by the Moscoso Puello Foundation, due to the immigration processes and growth of agricultural areas (advance of the agricultural frontier), it is more than likely that today (2005) is increased, which is why it is necessary to update the socio-economic information of the protected area.
Given the above, the PNJBPR Management Plan contemplates two proposals that allow the operationalization of the "programs" and "subprograms", considering the financial sustainability that the management and administration of a protected area needs and under the focus of maximizing the potential of the protected area, reducing and mitigating the critical areas identified, to achieve a balance of the ecosystems.
The first proposal is the development at the individual and community level of a “Land Use Plan” (PLUT) for conservation, which is a study of the capacities of land use, critical areas, biogeographic characteristics of the community and / or property in order to define a zoning proposal and limits for productive activities, correction and mitigation of critical areas (eg micro-basins), definition of biological situation, farmers census and number of tasks under production, among other data collected and analyzed, with They may propose a five-year “management plan” on which the owner and the authorities of the protected area can negotiate a framework agreement for the development of socio-productive activities under a series of regulations and corrective and mitigation actions.
The PLUT is also the basis for negotiating with the communities and / or individual owners a payment per task under production or management for the development of an "environmental fund" that allows the operation of an "environmental compensation model", with which can financially nurture the execution of the actions proposed in the management programs and subprograms presented in the Management Plan.
I. Land Use Plan
What is PLUT?
The Land Use Plan (PLUT) for conservation should be considered as a first approximation within the operational planning cycle of the Protected Area Management Plan. Its main contribution is that it allows developing, from a quick diagnosis, a vision of management by the owner; that is, the future scenario for the farm or / and community, integrating the productive, ecological, economic and social variables.
This vision, collected in a series of thematic maps and general rules of use, together with the general mission proposed in the Management Plan, according to the conservation objectives, should be the navigation chart and the starting point for any activity socio-productive in the protected area.
The protected area planning process, aimed at generating as a result of the PLUT, basically consists of collecting the existing information and collecting the missing information to understand the ecological, economic and socio-productive scenario in which it is intended to intervene, identifying the main management values and conservation, developing a proposal for a use order that guarantees its management and reflects the expectations of land users, thereby reducing the socio-environmental conflicts arising from land use.
The methodological steps of the PLUT
The PLUT for conservation is not intended to cover all the environmental and use planning needs of the individual or community unit. On the contrary, it will allow identifying the issues that require a higher degree of study and / or planning through additional methodologies, such as forest inventories, analysis of grasslands or flora or fauna sampling, which should be incorporated into the planning process in order to to achieve an optimal result. Also considering that the protected area management plan will contain a monitoring framework or plan with defined criteria and indicators for monitoring the PLUT and the environmental compensation model.
PLUT activities for conservation are organized into seven well-defined steps, which are explained in detail in the methodology chapter of this manual, the summary table of the methodological framework is presented below:
Step 1 Identification and delimitation of the study area. With the owner (user) or members of the community, the limits of the properties or community are reviewed within and / or on the periphery of the protected area.
Step 2 Preparation of basic cartographic information. From the national cartographic sources and GIS.
Step 3 Analysis of current productive activities and user expectations. Based on the systematization of the information provided by the user (s), who must define the future vision of the property.
Step 4 Rapid diagnosis in the field and collection of specific information. Both the property and its immediate surroundings, by verifying the boundaries and production processes developed, the structure and composition of the vegetation, the presence of focal species and other aspects of interest.
Step 5 Defining the PLUT's mission and objectives for conservation. From a strategic situational analysis based on the compiled antecedents, both obtained in the field and secondary information, to identify the main values to protect, the potentialities, conditions and limitations related to the management of the property.
Step 6 Proposal and validation of the Land Management Plan for Conservation. Based on the expectations of the users, the technical and legal framework of the protected area and the diagnosis of the natural values of the study area, consisting of a zoning of uses with the objective of conservation.
Step 7 Resolution of conflicts, agreements, conventions and preparation of the final document. Identifying together with the user or users of the property the potential areas of conflict between production and conservation goals, and defining the necessary actions for the prevention, mitigation or compensation of impacts. Adaptation of the document to a format and language appropriate for the user.
A distinctive element of the methodology presented here with respect to other proposals is the active participation of individual and / or community users with properties within or on the periphery of the protected area in the collection of information, in the rapid diagnosis and in the proposal. of
Property management. The ecological and biological information provided by the owner himself on aspects such as the presence of flora and fauna or the dynamics of certain ecological processes, is of primary importance and an effort should be made to collect it. Also, their recommendations should be considered in the planning process, as they reflect your expectations and goals, both for conservation and production. Thus:
The technical team must establish an open and trusting relationship with the owner, so that the recommendations are consistent with their vision and expectations. On the other hand, the professionals in charge of the PLUT should conceive the planning process as an extension opportunity for conservation, where the concepts, approaches, techniques and methods that can make a contribution to the soil and natural resources are transferred to users. the work you do.
Finally, the team must be able to incorporate the ecoregional conservation priorities and strategies or the larger area where the farm and / or community is located in the planning proposal, so that management can contribute to the larger-scale goals.
- Team of professionals trained in PLUT development and management of protected areas; Aerial photography or orthophoto of a scale equal to or greater than 1: 20,000, without clouds, of recent date (no more than four years); Map sheet scale 1: 50,000 or 1: 25,000, with contour lines equidistant from 25 meters, toponyms, roads, roads and hydrographic network; Digital and printed cartography on coverage and use; It is recommended to have a Geographic Information System (GIS) with a digitization tool (Arc / Info, Arc / Map, MiraMon or similar) and a Global Satellite Positioning (GPS) equipment. Otherwise, cartography can be made manually on tracing or mica paper and analyzed by superimposing maps. Identification card with the location of the farm and / or community; General plan of the property,with boundaries and accesses with respect to the global limit of the protected area; Map of the property context, with respect to the global limit of the protected area; Map of the structure and updated composition of the vegetation within the farm and / or community property; Map of uses current and user expectations of use; Technical diagnosis sheet; Zoning map of land use within the farm and / or community; File with management norms and recommendations; Dossier of landscape photos; AnnexesZoning map of land use within the farm and / or community; File with management norms and recommendations; Dossier of landscape photos; AnnexesZoning map of land use within the farm and / or community; File with management norms and recommendations; Dossier of landscape photos; Annexes
III. Methodology, step by step
The methodology of Land Management for Conservation proposed in this Manual is structured following the logical process of an investigation, which starts from an objective or problem to be solved.
In this case, the purpose is to technically delimit, and in conjunction with the owner, the various areas of use of a property among whose management objectives is conservation, based on its natural value and use aptitudes, and in order to to define an optimal use that meets the expectations of the owner and, at the same time, minimizes the risks for the conservation of those elements considered of greater value.
Step 1: Identification and location of the property
The geographical coordinates of the property and its boundaries allow, on the one hand, to know its exact location in terrestrial space, as well as the extension and shape of the property; and, on the other hand, capture available secondary information: registration plans, studies and reports of the area, numbers and flight line of the aerial photographs or the basic cartography sheet available, among others.
A GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) can be used to geographically locate the landmarks or boundaries that spatially delimit the property. The main product of this first step is a GENERAL PLAN OF THE PROPERTY AND / OR COMMUNITY, which must be validated by the owner, in which the property and its recognized boundaries are identified according to the property registration or other legal framework.
With respect to the cartographic sheet and accompanied by the user (s) of the farm and / or community, a general tour is made locating and, if feasible, identifying key points to establish the limits of the property with respect to the protected area, thus defining the limit to Respect with respect to the agreements and standards that will be established within the Land Use Plan for conservation. Always considering as a priority to consider the framework established by the general and specific zoning of the protected area management plan, especially fragile ecosystems and critical areas to mitigate, restore and / or recover. (Look at annex 1)
Step 2: Preparation of basic cartographic information
This step aims to collect and systematize all the secondary information available near the AP, and its geographic context. Once the geographic coordinates of the property have been identified, it is possible to access the base cartography available both from printed material and digitally. The collection of information must consider both the PREDIAL SCALE (between 1: 20,000 and 1: 5,000) and the LANDSCAPE SCALE (1: 50,000 and lower), in order to know the environmental context of each property or conservation project.
The information produced from the photointerpretation can be enriched with other specific studies available for the particular property, such as community studies and analyzes or forest inventories, previously developed management or conservation plans, digital cartography.
- Context map: It must provide an approximate image of the magnitude and type of transformation processes of the vegetation cover that take place in the environment of the farm and / or community, bearing relevant information about its conservation status at a landscape scale (1: 50,000). It can be drawn up directly from an updated survey of coverage and use (vegetation), considering for its development to always include information pertinent to the limits with respect to the protected area, nearby towns, communication routes, protection infrastructure, administrative and / or public use of the protected area. Different land uses (agricultural, livestock, plantations, others), as well as the forest types present, distinguishing as far as possible the adult forest areas from the renewals.It must clearly identify the boundaries of the property, established according to the official limits of the protected area Vegetation map (ecosystems): It must provide an approximate image of the structure and composition of the vegetation formations present on the farm and / or community preferably identified to level of ecosystems or conservation objects, as well as of the productive processes and the degree of alteration that these have caused in it. The optimal scale is between 1: 1,000 and 1: 10,000 for farms between 10 (160 tasks) and 100 hectares (1,600 tasks), so that it will fit on a double legal-size sheet. The information is generated by photo-interpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.Vegetation map (ecosystems): It must provide an approximate image of the structure and composition of the vegetation formations present in the farm and / or community, preferably identified at the level of ecosystems or conservation objects, as well as the productive processes and the degree of alteration that these have caused in her. The optimal scale is between 1: 1,000 and 1: 10,000 for farms between 10 (160 tasks) and 100 hectares (1,600 tasks), so that it will fit on a double legal-size sheet. The information is generated by photo-interpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.Vegetation map (ecosystems): It must provide an approximate image of the structure and composition of the vegetation formations present in the farm and / or community, preferably identified at the level of ecosystems or conservation objects, as well as the productive processes and the degree of alteration that these have caused in her. The optimal scale is between 1: 1,000 and 1: 10,000 for farms between 10 (160 tasks) and 100 hectares (1,600 tasks), so that it will fit on a double legal-size sheet. The information is generated by photo-interpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.It must provide an approximate image of the structure and composition of the vegetation formations present on the farm and / or community, preferably identified at the level of ecosystems or conservation objects, as well as the productive processes and the degree of alteration that these have caused in she. The optimal scale is between 1: 1,000 and 1: 10,000 for farms between 10 (160 tasks) and 100 hectares (1,600 tasks), so that it will fit on a double legal-size sheet. The information is generated by photo-interpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.It must provide an approximate image of the structure and composition of the vegetation formations present on the farm and / or community, preferably identified at the level of ecosystems or conservation objects, as well as the productive processes and the degree of alteration that these have caused in she. The optimal scale is between 1: 1,000 and 1: 10,000 for farms between 10 (160 tasks) and 100 hectares (1,600 tasks), so that it will fit on a double legal-size sheet. The information is generated by photo-interpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.so that it will fit on a double legal size sheet. The information is generated by photo-interpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.so that it will fit on a double legal size sheet. The information is generated through photointerpretation of recent images and is subsequently validated with the information collected in the field.
Depending on the resolution of the photographic image, different vegetation units and / or ecosystems characterized by a homogeneous texture and color are determined, which will later be classified by their structure (crown size and density, height) and, where possible, by the specific composition identifiable in the aerial photo, which is subsequently verified in the field. Photointerpretation also makes it possible to distinguish between categories of intensive agricultural and livestock use, areas of houses and roads, as well as wetlands and bodies of water. Like the previous one, this map must include the foot of the scale, the astronomical north, accesses, symbols, coordinates and a box with the legend for each category of information.
- Map of physical environment: It must represent the water courses, the different watersheds and hydrographic sub-basins that drain the property, as well as other relief units that may constitute natural management units or that determine the capacity to use the soil. The information is compiled from the IGM cartography in scale 1: 25,000 or from other thematic maps available, it is generated by means of the photo-interpretation of relief units. Where possible, the map should represent altitude by contour lines with an equidistance of 25 meters….. Likewise, the dominant slopes are represented according to explicit ranges of the percentage of average slope on the ground.
These three thematic maps allow preparing the information gathering in the field, which is systematized in a TECHNICAL DIAGNOSTIC SHEET (see Annex 2). This file also shows the name of the nearest meteorological station, with its altitude, geographical coordinates, years of record, precipitation values, mean annual temperature, and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures.
Step 3: Analysis of current productive activities and user expectations of use
The territorial ordering of a PA requires knowing first-hand what are the reasons that drive its owner to be interested in conservation and how these are projected in a vision of the potential use of the land. This is part of a SOCIOPRODUCTIVE DIAGNOSIS, which must consider:
The identification of each of the productive activities that take place on the property;
The importance that these activities have on the income of the owner and his family;
The flows of resources that enter and leave the property and their seasonality;
Planned future activities;
The way in which decisions are made about the management of the property by the family unit.
The compilation of these antecedents must be carried out in parallel to the lifting of the baseline and taken to a spatial expression. For the proper development of the socio-productive diagnosis, a close collaboration of the owner with the technical team is required, especially with a member of the team whom we will qualify as FACILITATOR. In the case of properties constituted by a group of people (estates, companies or formal or informal organizations) or when it is difficult to determine at what level the decision-making regarding the PA resides, it is necessary to select a legitimate representative of the organization.
The methodology for the socio-productive diagnosis of the farm and / or community is not rigid and different participatory diagnosis techniques can be used. Essentially, this exercise should allow the following information to be collected:
Legal status of the possession of the property;
Number of legal owners and organization to make decisions about the management of the property. Of special importance is to know the participation of the children in the decisions in the case of families with older children who do not live on the farm and / or community;
Compilation of historical background of the property in relation to conservation and the current owner;
Compilation of background information on the environment, including relationships with neighbors, potential conflicts of boundaries or use in neighboring areas, main economic activities in the environment and their impacts on the farm and / or community;
Current economic activities carried out on the property and their role in the family economy, including approximate volumes of wood extraction for firewood or other uses, current livestock mass, areas and types of pasture, agricultural production (with approximate volumes of harvest, production or commercialization), existing infrastructure (drainage, irrigation, roads, greenhouses, others) and productive plans or investments projected for the future;
Extra-property economic activities and their role in the family economy;
Conservation activities developed on the property, costs involved and their sources of financing, and conservation activities projected for the future;
Natural, economic or affective values that the property possesses for the owner, with emphasis on the identification of areas or singular landmarks, such as monumental trees, waterfalls, beaches, habitats of symbolic species, nesting areas or others;
Motivations of the owner for the conservation of his property and degree of family support for these motivations;
Vision of the future of the property in the economic, environmental and sociocultural fields.
The use of participatory diagnosis techniques to be applied in each of the topics of the socio-productive diagnosis must be defined taking into account the relationship established with each owner, the cultural context and the number of family members who will participate, among other factors.
Situational Strategic Analysis: Quick determination of the potentialities, conditions and limitations of the farm and / or communities.
Life stories: in-depth interview where the owner makes a historical reference to his link with the property and his interest in conservation.
Working with real maps: indicating the different areas of current use and possible areas of interest to the owner in the future.
Design of a conceptual map of the territory: delimiting - by means of natural accidents, fences and roads - the different spaces in which productive activities are carried out.
Dream map: where the owner identifies the expectations that the family has regarding the farm and / or community, marking the equipment or projected improvements with a colored pencil.
Investment game: where the family defines its investment priorities or actions that it would implement to manage and conserve its land in the hypothetical case of having a certain amount of available resources.
Step 4: Rapid diagnosis in the field and collection of specific information
The land survey is developed in parallel to step 3 and consists of gathering basic information about the natural values of the property, its state of conservation and their relationship with the productive activities carried out on the property.
This step is key to collect first-hand information on the flora and fauna present on the property and other natural attributes that may be of interest for planning, allowing the secondary information systematized in steps 1 and 2 and in mapping to be validated in situ. resulting.
Both the team of professionals and the owner or persons designated by him must participate in the gathering of the information on the ground, who contribute all their knowledge and experience and guide the team to the places of interest. To organize the field campaign, it is necessary to resort to the already prepared property cartography. Based on it, a visit program is designed in which both the route to be carried out and the work to be carried out to collect the necessary information are defined. ´
The protocol for gathering information in the field is organized thematically. Each topic must be addressed simultaneously in one or more field visits.
The issues to consider are:
Verification of the general context of the property With the help of the CONTEXT MAP, the location of the property is verified, taking as a reference rivers, roads, bridges, houses or other constructions. With the use of a GPS, the geographical coordinates of several reference points can be determined, which must be identifiable in the aerial photo (crossroads, bridges, houses).
Verification of boundaries
The property is traversed to determine the location of the boundaries, recognizing the boundaries from strategic points with good visibility. The differences found with respect to the legally established limits in the role registration are recorded, taking data with the GPS. This can be omitted when the boundaries recognized by the owner are natural features (rivers, streams), roads or other identifiable elements in the aerial photography.
Photographic record
Photographs are taken of important places or characteristics of the property, such as access, the type of forest, rivers or lagoons, singular points, productive activities or others. The number of the photo and, if possible, the location in GPS coordinates and the bearing to the desired objective are noted on the base map. This makes it possible to monitor changes later. It is important to document the information collected in a FIELD LOG that remains available for recognition by other team members on future visits.
Verification of land use and relief units
The land use and relief units identified on the maps according to the photointerpretation are verified in the field, and with the help of the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT MAP. Where possible, all existing fences, roads and tracks are recorded. In cases where the map location is imprecise, GPS is used. The areas for livestock use should also be identified, be they managed grasslands, unmanaged pastures or scrublands, describing their composition and estimated productivity, according to explicit ranges. Forest areas subject to seasonal browsing should be recorded on maps.
The composition and size of the current livestock mass must be established. The areas destined to permanent or annual crops must also be recognized, indicating the cultivated species or their rotation system. In the case of areas subject to forest use, the areas planted with short-cycle species (pine, oak, etc.) or reforested with native species must be identified.
As far as possible, an attempt will be made to roughly determine the extraction areas in the last ten years and the volumes of wood, firewood or charcoal extracted each time. Likewise, areas of recent extraction of foliage, fungi or other non-timber forest products are identified.
Characterization of the flora
The objective of this activity is to determine the type of plant communities that develop on the property, as well as to know the disturbance regime to which they are subject and their natural dynamics. Based on a systematic observation protocol, terrain information is collected on each of the natural vegetation units previously identified with the cartography (1: 20,000) and reflected in the PRELIMINARY VEGETATION MAP, describing their structure characteristics, composition and degree of alteration, according to the guideline established in the FLORA REGISTRATION FORM (see Annex 4).
The information is recorded qualitatively and quantitatively, adapting the methodology to the availability of resources or time of the owner and / or the technical team in charge of the process. In general, the sampling procedure will be non-probabilistic, as it is less expensive, shorter and simpler (see box 1).
The product of the systematic observation protocol will be an inventory of the flora species present and an approximation to the composition and structure of the communities or environments identified in the cartography, establishing which are the predominant species, the type and state of regeneration, as well as as a general diagnosis of the regeneration dynamics of each unit.
The protocol should serve as a baseline to monitor changes after property planning, so it is essential that both the general route and any observation stations are identified by UTM coordinates with GPS or, failing that, indicate the heading and the distance from a known point.
Depending on the availability of resources, the protocol can be replaced by probabilistic sampling techniques (simple random, stratified random or stratified systematic), in which the observation stations are located randomly or regularly following a sampling design appropriate to the size and heterogeneity of the farm.
The main limitation of this procedure is the need to ensure that the sampling effort, to be representative, covers between 1% and 10% of the area of the property, which implies at least 100 to 1,000 m2 / ha.
Characterization of the fauna
General information is collected about the presence of animal species on the property. In a first phase, and knowing the location and general characteristics of the property, available secondary information about the natural history of the study area is compiled. On this basis, the focal species are selected that, due to their uniqueness, threat or because they are representative or indicative of natural conditions and / or the state of conservation, guide data collection in the field.
A preliminary list of focal species is included in the FAUNA REGISTRATION FORM (see Annex 5) as an example from the Juan Bautista Pérez Rancier National Park. This avoids exhaustive fauna inventories, a very expensive activity that requires a long time of observation.
Some traditional ways of conducting non-probability sampling are intentional sampling - also known as convenience sampling or trial sampling - and quota sampling.
Intentional sampling involves the deliberate selection of places or cases considered representative or with abundant and reliable information. Although these samples may be biased, they allow a large amount of relevant information to be collected with little sampling effort. For its part, quota sampling involves the random selection of a small and fixed number of samples, which offer a partial approximation and may be biased by sampling errors.
The methodology proposed in this manual combines both techniques, applying quota sampling along a route previously established intentionally in cartography or aerial photography. This route goes through representative places of the different vegetation units identified by the photointerpretation.
Along the route, the current structure and composition of the vegetation, in particular the forest, and the type of intervention to which it is or was subjected based on indicators are determined.
such as footprints, stumps, trunks, scars, evidence of browsing, clearings or others. Together with the information provided by the owner, these antecedents make it possible to interpret the current plant structure from its original formation and the natural or human disturbance regime to which it has been subjected.
For each vegetation unit, a systematic observation protocol is established, with a complete record of the species present and a collection of unidentified species for subsequent taxonomic determination through consultation with specialists. At different points along the route, the composition and structure of the canopy are recorded using the quarter method, measuring the distance between the observation point and the four trees closest to the four cardinal points, whose diameter is recorded. This makes it possible to approximate the number of trees per hectare of each species and their degree of participation in the basal area.
In some cases it is advisable to establish regeneration observation stations, selected for their representativeness for the dynamics of vegetation formation to be described. In each of these stations, a 50-meter-long transect is made for the identification and counting of seedlings and saplings, in a 50-cm band. on each side of the transect. At the same time, all adult individuals, living or dead, present within a band of 5 meters on each side of its axis are recorded.
In each case, the species, situation in the canopy, approximate height, diameter class, crown size and other parameters are recorded, which will be collected in the FLORA REGISTRATION FORM. The number of observation stations will depend on the homogeneity of the vegetation unit to be described, the size of the site, as well as the availability of resources and time.
Since it is not intended to obtain abundance values, for data collection in the field it is not necessary to apply specific sampling techniques, being sufficient a record of presence / absence of the selected species, based on a protocol of systematic observation of the farm, thus as in the information provided by the owner and other key informants. The presence of a species in an area can be verified within a range of certainty, as proposed in table 5.
For the stage of gathering information in the field, the following suggestions are given:
Given the difficulty of direct observation for the identification of medium and large mammals, it is possible to use the registration of remains and traces, and the information collected by interviews with the owner and other key informants;
The bones, skins, hairs, feces and other remains are collected by both the technical team and the owner, being analyzed by specialists if necessary;
Both the observation stations and the remains and traces must be located spatially using GPS or roughly in the cartography;
Traces can be recorded in snow and mud, both in the forest and on the banks of rivers and streams, roads or trails. For this, olfactory attraction stations can also be established in different environments, where the forest floor is cleaned, stirred and grated in a circular surface of at least one meter in diameter and in the center of which an olfactory attractant is placed as a bait.;
For birds, prospecting is directed towards the selected focal or indicator species. The registry is carried out both by direct observation and listening by people trained in bird identification, as well as from traces left in feeding or nesting areas. For this, key places are chosen where, due to their habitat structure, the presence of these species is foreseeable;
Observations and direct listening should preferably be carried out during the early hours of the morning or late in the afternoon, when the singing activity of the birds is greatest;
In the case of diurnal raptors, observation points are established in sectors with a wide visual basin;
For the identification of nocturnal birds of prey, as well as amphibian songs, night listening stations are established, accompanied by recording if possible;
In the case of reptiles and amphibians, their presence is determined by actively searching for adult individuals in observation stations with an adequate surface area (100-500 m2) and located in areas with a suitable habitat structure for these species, such as clearings. with rocks, natural cavities, large stones and fallen logs. Direct observation should be supported by the collection of specimens or photographs to help their identification through guides or with the help of an expert;
Due to its methodological complexity and high cost, the registration of small mammals is only carried out when it is considered essential. Although there are commercial models of traps for live capture, homemade traps can be manufactured at low cost. It is also possible to collect remains of small mammals from feces and pellets of nocturnal birds, collection of individuals captured in traditional traps or by domestic animals, as well as those found in wells and ponds;
If necessary, both invertebrates and aquatic organisms are collected for identification using specific techniques;
Despite the conceptual and methodological complexity inherent in fauna monitoring, some indicators can be established that allow evaluating eventual changes. For this, it is very useful to develop a record of sightings of focal species.
Step 5: Defining the mission and conservation objectives
After collecting information from the field at the field level and with a broader knowledge of a conservation landscape at the scale, the technical team describes to the owner in a clear and simple way the natural history of their property, including the vegetation and fauna formations. originals, the transformation processes they have undergone and the critical processes that pose a threat of deterioration today.
In this context, the contribution to conservation that the property presents or could present in the ecoregional context is analyzed, specifying which landscapes, ecological communities, species or groups of particular species of the property have special relevance or value to be considered in the project as conservation objects.
The critical risks or threats that the current or projected activities on the property represent for the identified conservation objects are also analyzed, distinguishing between those historical pressures that shaped the state of the current processes that limit their recovery or put their continuity at risk. For each of these pressures, the primary causes or factors, the actors involved and their motivations are precisely defined.
This methodology, proposed by The Nature Conservancy in the planning of conservation sites, allows for each conservation object to represent a conceptual model that identifies step by step each cause or factor that conditions conservation and establishes the possible measures to be implemented. Considering also that the methodology of "conservation objects" has been applied in PA of the Dominican Republic, which has allowed its validation and adaptation to the characteristics of the island's biodiversity.
The previous process, together with the definition of a vision based on the owner's expectations, allows defining the MISSION of the AP. A mission statement should not focus on specifics of what you will do or how you will do it, but rather on what results you want in the long term and what overall strategy will be followed to achieve them. It is important that the mission reflects the conservation motivations of the owner and expresses the contribution that the APP intends to make to the conservation of biodiversity on a landscape scale.
EXAMPLE: "Contribute to curb the loss of biodiversity in the intermediate depression, offering a demonstrative model of livestock production compatible with conservation" The mission must be articulated in CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES, which will be defined by the owner prior to the land management process. The list of conservation objectives need not be long or exhaustive; on the contrary, they must be formulated in a clear and synthetic way so that they are realistic and measurable, and they must incorporate:
A condition or object of conservation or, failing that, a threat;
A territorial scope;
A parameter or factor that allows evaluating their achievement;
A period of time, which may be implicitly defined by the planning horizon.
EXAMPLE. Some conservation objectives consistent with the mission previously formulated, could be:
Maintain the area of dense adult forest present on the property;
Increase the coverage and density of regeneration in disturbed forests;
Reduce the incidence rate of fires or illegal logging;
Reduce the presence of domestic animals inside the forest;
Maintain the size of the existing dairy herd, improving its productivity through proper pasture management;
Improve the quality and quantity of milk production.
Goals should be easy to monitor, although sometimes difficult to quantify. For this reason, verifiable indicators must be established, that is, factors measurable through values or proportions, and goals to be achieved within defined time frames, which allow the degree of fulfillment of the objectives to be periodically monitored. In the example above, verifiable indicators are indicated in italics.
When it is difficult to find an easy to measure verifiable indicator, a relative measure of the current state of the selected factor can be established in relation to the optimum defined by the same owner. This can take values between 1 and 5 within a range between very good, good, normal, bad and very bad. The valuation by ranges is valid as long as the situations that qualify for each security are specified previously and clearly.
The definition of conservation objectives is an iterative process that must be periodically evaluated and reviewed based on the basic information that becomes available or the threats that may disappear or emerge over time. It may happen that the expectations of future use expressed by the owner are not consistent with the conservation objectives proposed by the technical team. Although ultimately it is the owner who is going to implement the management measures for the area, the technical team must clearly indicate which or which of the planned activities contravene the conservation objectives that should guide PA management decisions.
Safe presence: Direct record of capture or observation: collection of remains, record of adult individuals or their remains, photographic expert report of larvae, songs, nests or lay, bones, feathers, skins, hairs, tracks, feces or other traces. Collection of remains, photographic record, expert report.
Probable presence: Indirect record of recent capture or observation by the owner or workers, reports of capture or sightings of specimens, tracks or remains.
Testimonies, interviews or key informants, inspection of remains.
Possible presence: Other indirect references, inferred from the environment of the area, publications, stories, testimonies of park rangers and other nearby records. Other primary sources (interviews or secondary sources).
Presence not registered There is no evidence or registered references. All of the above.
Step 6: Proposal and validation of a Land Use Plan for conservation
Once the mission and the management and conservation objectives have been defined for the farm and / or community, in accordance with the objectives of the management category, and from the information collected in the property mapping, the SPECIFIC ZONING of the farm is determined and / or community. This is a land use planning process that consists of spatially and temporally distributing a set of activities to be carried out in a given area, in such a way as to optimize the use of space and minimize the risk or negative interaction between the projected activities.
The result is a sectorization of the PA into ZONES OF HOMOGENEOUS USE, which will be subject to certain MANAGEMENT RULES, in order to meet the proposed conservation objectives. Particularly useful as a work methodology is the superimposition, through the use of GIS or manually, of thematic maps that express the potential for use in a range of values from 1 to 5 (very good, good, fair, bad, very bad) for each of the activities to be carried out on the property (preservation, forest management, public use, livestock, agriculture, tourism, others).
After analyzing the compatibility between each of these activities and the owner's needs and / or expectations, those areas with the greatest potential and least incompatibility are identified to locate said activities. As a result of the analysis, some of the situations indicated in table 6 can be found.
There are no general rules for the spatial location of the different areas of use. There are extensive PAs that include a wide range of use zones with different standards for each one, while in other PAs where the management objective is preservation, it is only required to define general standards for the entire area. This aspect is closely linked to the natural characteristics of the property, the conservation objectives and the expectations of use of the owners of each PA.
Zoning corresponds to a conceptual property division, where it is not always necessary that the boundaries between one zone and another are strict, and less that they be demarcated on the ground. The optimal situation is one in which there is a gradual transition in the intensity of uses, moving from preservation areas to conservation areas with non-consumptive uses, and from these to development areas with consumptive uses.
For the delimitation between one area and another, natural physiographic units (micro-basins, water courses, cuts, slopes, vegetation structure) or artificial units (roads, fences, trails) identifiable on the ground can be used. In cases where a preservation zone necessarily adjoins development areas, it is necessary to demarcate the different use zones by means of barriers or fences that prevent access to certain sectors of livestock or possible visitors.
Buffering or CONNECTIVITY ZONES can also be established within farms and / or communities in peripheral sectors of the APP where there are threats or opportunities for conservation beyond the boundaries. In large farms, the buffer zone also constitutes a transition between zones of more conservationist use and zones of more intensive use.
The zoning must express the vision and zoning of the general management plan of the protected area and incorporate both the expectations of the owner and those of the technical team, for which it must be understood as the result of a negotiation process that must be resolved by consensus, if any. conflicts of use between the zoning proposed by the team and the expectations of the user (s).
1. Preservation zone: Very fragile sectors or with low degrees of alteration, little accessible and of great biological value.
1.1 Intangible subzone: Particularly fragile or remote sectors, with high singularity or pristinity, or with very limited aptitude for use due to abiotic factors (inaccessibility, slope instability, slope risk of flooding, etc.). The basic objective for this type of area is basic for this type of area is to preserve natural evolution and ecological processes without any human alteration.
1.2 Primitive subzone: Sectors in a good state of conservation, with consumptive use limitations, but suitable for scientific research, ecotourism and environmental education on a low scale, in rustic conditions. The management objective is to preserve the natural environment with little intervention.
2. Conservation zones: Sectors with recent historical alteration, moderately accessible and of variable biological value.
2.1 Recovery subzone: highly degraded sectors that require some type of intervention to reverse deterioration processes and restore natural conditions; soils that are eventually fragile or with very limited capacities for future constructive use. The management objective is to stop the degradation and once the area is stabilized, assign it to use that guarantees its permanent conservation.
2.2 Extensive forest management sub-zone: Sectors suitable for the sustainable and commercial use of native forest resources, compatible with other PA objectives, such as public use and wildlife conservation. The management objective is to enable the use of natural resources that have the potential for sustainable use, without modifying the structure and composition of the forest.
2.3 Subzone of extensive public use: Altered sectors in a good state of conservation and with important attractions for ecotourism and environmental education. The management objective is to enable controlled access for visitors to natural or scenic places of interest.
3. Development zones: Very accessible sectors, with strong current alteration, low biological value and high potential for use.
3.1 Intensive forest management sub-zone: Sectors suitable for reforestation with native species and the sustainable and commercial use of native forest resources. The management objective is to make possible the use of natural resources that have the potential for sustainable use, sometimes modifying the structure and composition of the forest.
3.2 Sub-zone of silvoagro-livestock management: Sectors with high potential for agricultural or livestock use, including the establishment of pastures, the plantation of exotic forest species or silvopastoralism. The objective is to generate economic resources for the owner, in a way that is compatible with the other objectives of the protected area.
3.3. Intensive public use subzone: Accessible sectors with scenic value for the establishment of public use infrastructures. The management objective is to divert relatively concentrated public use to sectors of lower value for conservation.
3.4 Special, urban and administrative subzone: Very accessible sectors, suitable for the location of housing, administration infrastructure and services for public use. The management objective is to concentrate the activities with the greatest impact in appropriate sectors with less value for conservation.
Step 7: Conflict resolution and preparation of the final document
As in the definition of the conservation objectives of the PA, it may happen that the owner's expectations of use are not fully consistent with the zoning or the proposed use regulations. In this case, it will be necessary to determine with great precision the zones, activities and rules of use in which these differences are detected, evaluate the proposed alternatives for use and identify the mitigation or compensation measures that would be necessary if the alternatives are accepted. evaluated.
At all times, the technical team must bring to hand the mission and management objectives defined in conjunction with the and / or users and guide them regarding the management actions that will be necessary to fulfill them and the threats or risks associated with a improper handling.
As part of its work, the technical team must formulate, once the planning process has concluded, a series of general management recommendations and, to the extent of the owner's technical and economic possibilities, a proposal for monitoring activities and implementation of the APP in the short and medium term. In this proposal mention will be made of the different public instruments to access aid and bonuses from the State.
The planning process concludes with the delivery to the owner of a LAND USE PLAN (PLUT) for conservation for the individual property and / or community. This is a simple document that:
It characterizes the main natural and environmental values to be protected;
Sets the mission and conservation objectives;
It defines territorially the norms of uses; and
It proposes the necessary property management actions to make effective the protection and sustainable use that is desired.
The PLUT must identify those specific areas - such as forestry management, agricultural activities, environmental education, ecotourism, or others - that require more detailed planning, both in the collection of baseline data and in the strategic analysis and proposal of activities..
The purpose of the PLUT is to be a practical tool for decision-making by the individual user and / or community, with the governing institution for the management of the protected area, to reach agreements and / or agreements for the management, development and conservation of specific zones of the protected area. Therefore, the document format must be adapted to the characteristics of the user, both in its language and in its presentation. However, all PLUT must have minimum contents that are the following:
Identification card with the legal background of the property;
Description of the area of influence: map of current land use, history of environmental deterioration processes, risks and opportunities for conservation;
Background of the AP
- Location and limits, historical use. Characterization of abiotic elements: general description of soil, topography, hydrographic basins, climate. Relief map Characterization of the structure of the potential and current vegetation. Vegetation map. Characterization of potential and current wild flora and fauna. Expectations of current and future land use. Map of potential use.
Mission and general objectives of the APP.
Management objectives and monitoring strategy.
Hierarchy of threats-activities-actors.
Zoning and regulations for use.
Glossary
1.Accreditation Action and effect of accrediting, that is, documentary recognition by a higher institution that some person or entity is what it represents or appears, being therefore worthy of credit.
2.Private protected area Protected area owned by one or more private agents, which has been voluntarily designated for conservation purposes.
3. Public protected area Protected area of national property, which has been designated by the State to meet a series of conservation objectives, which are established by legal decree.
4. Protected area Geographically delimited area, destined to ensure biological diversity, protect the preservation of nature and conserve environmental heritage and which is administered in order to achieve a series of explicit conservation objectives.
5. Biological biodiversity It is the variability of living organisms that are part of all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It includes genetic diversity within the same species, the diversity of species and the diversity of ecosystems.
6.Category of management Generic denomination given to a protected area according to the specific objectives that it must meet, which are determined mainly by the intrinsic characteristics of the area and by the objectives of land use by the manager.
7.UTM coordinates (Universal Transversa Mercator) Geographic reference system based on the use of a metric system of Cartesian coordinates that has the main advantage over geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) having the meter as the unit of measure, which, unlike of the degrees, has the same value anywhere on the planet.
8. Sustainable development Process of sustained and equitable improvement of the quality of life of people, based on measures and protection of the environment, not to compromise the expectations of future generations.
9.Evaluation Process that allows to verify in a systematic and objective way if the aims proposed by a determined plan of activities have been achieved, to what extent and what have been the reasons for this performance. From an operational point of view, the evaluation requires the elaboration of a baseline that accounts for the initial state of the variables or parameters on which it is desired to intervene and an ex post evaluation of the relevance, efficiency and impact of the activities carried out.
10.GPS (Global Positioning System) Receiving device that allows, by means of a positioning system through 24 satellites in orbit around the earth, to locate any point on the planet where it is located using unique coordinates.
11.Monitoreo Continuous and systematic monitoring process of a certain activity plan, which allows verifying its effective development over time and making timely decisions regarding the relevance of future activities.
12. Property management for conservation It is the process of delimiting various homogeneous management areas for a property based on conservation value and aptitude for use, in such a way that it allows to protect and conserve the natural values existing on the property.
13. Management plan Planning guideline technical document, referring to the entire area to be protected. It contains the characterization of the unit and other essential antecedents, objectives, management, zoning and specific management programs, which include details of its activities, standards and requirements to achieve the expected objectives.
14. Polygon Applied to cartography, is an area of variable shape and continuous surface defined by a common attribute or characteristics perceived through aerial photography. Depending on the objectives of the mapping, this can be a certain land use, a type of structure in the vegetation, a landscape unit, etc.
15. Preservation of nature Set of policies, plans, programs, norms and actions, destined to ensure, based on the available knowledge, the maintenance of the conditions that make the evolution and development of the country's ecosystems possible.
16. Natural resources Components of the environment that can be used by human beings to satisfy their spiritual, cultural, social and economic needs or interests.
17. Potential use It is the maximum intensity of land use that can be done under sustained use, without degradation of natural resources, in the cultural, social and economic context of the owner.
18. Consutive uses Set of current and potential uses of natural resources that imply their material consumption and, therefore, their extraction from the natural environment.
19. Non-consutive uses Set of current and potential uses of natural resources that do not imply their material consumption, in such a way that their enjoyment and enjoyment takes place in the natural environment.
Bibliography used and consulted
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Melgar, M. 2003. Baseline Diagnosis of the Department of Rivas Nicaragua, IAK-GOPA / GTZ.
Melgar, M. and Mairich, L. 2004. Methodology for the Development of the Land Use Plan for the Upper Basin of the Yaque del Norte River and the Municipality of Jarabacoa. GITEC-SERCITEC-PROCARYN), Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.
Morales, R., Melgar, M. 2002. Development of Conservation and Sustainable Development Regions (RECODES). El Salvador Environmental Project (PAES), IDB, CATIE. The Savior.
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