Conservation of the Indigenous Territories of the Lower Pastaza River Basin Ernesto E. Briones; EcoCiencia Rodrigo Sierra; U. Texas (CESLA) Santiago Arce; Politécnica Adriana Flachier; EcoCiencia CONTRIBUTORS: A. Hidalgo, S. Tacoamán, M. Ortega, D. Reyes, M. Bustamante, F. Nogales, M. Castro, D. Guarderas, R. Cueva, J. Gómez, J. Valencia, A. Onofa, A. Agrefa, F. Cupueran, M. Ortiz, F. Armas, V. Vargas, V. Díaz, M. Villarroel, M. Vázquez.

7,5% of Ecuadorian surface (1,5’ ha) Largest area under management Biggest indigenous reserve Over 80% flooding forests Project from

Framework There is a strong international agenda toward directing efforts to reduce deforestation and trap or store CO 2 Ecuador is undertaking a new model to reduce deforestation that is directed only toward land coverage undermining biodiversity changes Today the mayor forest remains on eastern Ecuador are located inside indigenous territories.

General Project Objective To produce a participative conservation and sustainable development strategy for the Achuar, Shiwiar and Saparo territories. – Social, economical and environmental diagnosis – Territorial characterizations – Conservation strategies – Territorial scale management plans (Conservation strategy) – Land planning proposal

General Research Project Objective To determine the biodiversity impact pattern and what causes it. Communities were classified according to its size (population) 9 communities were selected for evaluation inside the 3 nationalities Land Cobber, social evaluation, economical evaluation, trails and water quality Fauna (mammals, birds and herpetofauna) 130 samples localities were selected and studied for each community

Problem Definition Diminishing of natural resources (hunting and recollection), (Hunting strategies changes) Land use conflicts (lack of regulations), (between 300 and 450 ha/family) Land use pressure (decrease in life quality), (Conflicts among communities and communities fragmentations) Lack of economical resources (access to Health, food, education). Isolation (lack of basic services, markets, schools) BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Procedure for the Construction of the Characterization Model Components Identification – Social Component – Economic Component – Environmental Component Criteria determination for Component evaluations – Key interviews, specialist workshops – Viability and field results validations

Environmental sustainability Objective: Component: Criteria: Variables: SocialEconomical Ecological Participation DistributionDistribution alternativesalternatives BenefitiariesBenefitiaries HistoriaHistoria InterésInterés DiversificarDiversificar OptimizaciónOptimización EmpleoEmpleo ActoresActores BeneficiariosBeneficiarios DEsicionesDEsiciones OrganizaciónOrganización ManejoManejo Materia PrimaMateria Prima AsesoríaAsesoría SAtisfacciónSAtisfacción Values & services Beneficiaries Institutionali sm Replicability

Natural Resources A, S y Sh. Natural capitalForestCommunity.Families/APU. Territory has has.302 has percápita SoilsMountainous - Clayey Flat-uneven. Sandy – clayey – Ídem. WaterProduces water 304 m3/s Fecal Coliforms Flora Over 89% have uses 305 Ornithology % of the world % of the recorded species for the Amazon % are used Mammals Reptiles & amphibians

Conclusions and Recommendations Forest coverage preservation by it self does not guarantee biodiversity conservation Forest demand by indigenous tribes are not a deforestation risk Sedentary life style and related living conditions are most important related risks We need to find negotiation strategies to link biodiversity conservation to carbon storage Governments need to pay the cost difference to preserve cultural and biological diversity

Acknowledgments: To the Achuar, Shiwiar and Sáparo people for sharing its territory, work and its knowledge To the Moore Foundation for supporting our work To all the scientist, students and institutions that shared their work, time and knowledge.