1. Field visit to project site –
“Bio-rights: linking community- and ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction”.
&
Field visit to project site –
Masá River microbasin
February 2012

2. Project area geographical location
Guatemala
Enfoque: ¿comunidad o familia?
Escala: recursos naturales, paisaje, microcuenca…
Masá River microbasin
Sololá Department

3. Masá River micro-basin delimitation
Enfoque: ¿comunidad o familia?
Escala: recursos naturales, paisaje, microcuenca…

4. Santo Tomás La Unión CARE Office / CARE and Vivamos Mejor staff
Downtown Santo Tomás

5. Landscape views Low-mid basin looking downstream
From Santo Tomás (lower basin) looking upstream

6. Upstream landscape views

7. Local livelihoods – the Maxan leaf
The Maxán palm (Calathea sp.) is ever-present in the Masá river landscape.
Its leaf is the main tradeable commodity of the local communities, for use elsewhere in Guatemala as a wrapper for foodstuffs.
It can be planted intermixed with other locally consumed crops such as bananas and coffee.
However, economic need drives locals to plant in less suitable areas further upstream.
The plant is less productive in these areas, better suited for watershed protection.

8. Local livelihoods – the Maxan leaf
Price of maxán per pack: US$ 16,-

9. Vulnerabilities and threats
Maxán competing with forest cover?
Landslides – f.ex. next to Maxán field

10. Vulnerabilities and threats
Housing in risk areas
Terrain!
Competing / unsuitable land uses

11. Vulnerabilities and threats
Local dependence on firewood
Constant risk of incommunication from road collapse

12. Strengths and capacities
Technical information availability
Commited local leadership
Organized communities
Risk awareness – Pasaquijuyup village shelter

13. Strengths and capacities
HIF Project!
Team staff on location
Local reforestation
experiences – Alnus sp.

14. Thank you!
Gracias!