1. Conservation by cultivation: Linkages between an endangered endemic fir (Abies guatemalensis Rehder) and peasant economies in the western highlands of Guatemala
Faculty of Life Sciences
Department of Ecology
Faculty of Agronomy
USAC
José Pablo Prado Córdova
Barcelona, January 2008

2. Contents Background Field highlights Main findings
Problem
Objectives, research questions and hypothesis
Field highlights
Main findings
Conclusions: Livelihoods implications
Photo show
Discussion

3. I. Background Townships, local power and collective action
67-57
85%
43-25
80-65
58%
81%

4. NR conservation + improved rural welfare
Problem statement
Increased illegal extraction of a threatened species for Christmas decorations whose commercial value might improve income levels for poor rural households
Conservation by cultivation approach
Forest dependency
Multidisciplinary
NR conservation + improved rural welfare

5. Specific objective and research questions
SO4: Characterise subsistence rural systems within the natural area of distribution of A. guatemalensis and assess the importance of utilisation of this species for local livelihoods strategies within the peasant economies
RQ1: What is the role of A. guatemalensis within the local peasant economies in its natural area of distribution?
RQ2: What other associated forest goods and services are relevant for local small-scale agriculture?
RQ3: What is the degree of forest dependency in these communities?

6. Hypothesis: H2 Benefits from A. guatemalensis
Market driven extinction path
Improved livelihoods as a result of:
Strengthened local capacities for land husbandry
Enforced local rules and regulations
Adjusted national policies

7. II. Field highlights
Field assistance: 4 bachelor students + 20 local enumerators + USAC infrastructure
Household sampling = Random selection + Practical matters
190 households across 12 villages in three townships
Relatively high levels of attrition (  23%)
Enumerators: Trade off between local support and technical qualifications

9. III. Main preliminary findings Forest related income%

10. Income structure and costs
Potatoes
Income structure and costs
Townships incomes and costs (GTQ/year)
Maize
Firewood
Wage

11. Wage structure

12. Poverty thresholds
5780
2560

13. IV. Conclusions: Livelihoods implications
RQ1: Scarce evidence (11%) was found of linkages between A. guatemalensis and income sources (pull driven)
RQ2: Linkages between forest ecosystems and small-scale agriculture (litter and firewood)
RQ3: Significant dependency on forest related income for subsistence purposes