The importance of local knowledge in the identification of factors influencing wildfire occurrence in protected areas of the Colombian Amazon [in Spanish].

Published online
25 Aug 2021
Published by
British Ecological Society
Content type
Blog
Website(s)

Author(s)
Tebbutt, C. & Devisscher, T. & Obando-Cabrera, L. & Gutiérrez García, G. A. & Meza Elizalde, M. C. & Armenteras, D. & Oliveras, I.

Publication language
Spanish
Location
Colombia & Amazonia

Abstract

A shared mind map of the political, economic and social interactions that affect forest fires in Colombia's protected areas was created through the works of cattle ranchers, national park rangers and local authorities. By comparing this mind map with the perspectives of key political stakeholders, a broad agreement on the importance of addressing cattle ranching, land-grabbing, lack of investment in basic public services, lack of governance and untitled land to mitigate forest fire occurrence was identified. There was disagreement over the role of roads, which some stakeholders characterised as a cause for further forest clearance. Cattle ranchers, on the other hand, described a well-maintained road network as necessary to support more sustainable economic alternatives to ranching. The results suggest that policies advancing the peace agreement's commitments to strengthened territorial control and rural development must consider local needs.

Key words