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Abstract
GIS to Explain and Prevent Biodiversity Losses in the Colombian Amazonia
Track: Ecology, Archaeology, and Conservation
Author(s): Dolors Armenteras, Rudas Guillermo, Nelly Rodriguez
The design and implementation of a biodiversity indicator system to follow up policies in the Colombian Amazonia is under development. We conducted a temporal and spatial analysis of the data using remote sensing and geographical information system as support. We tested the system in two moments of time (1980s and 2000) in 6 pilot areas of approximately 500,000 ha each Both ecological and socio-economic indicators were calculated for local conditions and summarised in a simple way the state, pressures and changes in biodiversity in the Amazon. We analysed the changes in biodiversity in terms of human pressure using these indicators. Results show that there has been a major biodiversity loss and deterioration in the Amazonian areas nearer to the Colombian Andes in terms of natural ecosystem cover and fragmentation in the last 15 years. These changes coincide with areas where the population pressure and land use changes have been and are high. Other areas of this region are starting to show signs of possible biodiversity loss if nothing is done to prevent it.
Dolors Armenteras
Humboldt Institute
GIS UNIT
Calle 378-40 Mezzanine
Bogota , Cundinamarca 0000
Colombia
Phone: 57-1-3406925
Fax: 57-1-2889564
E-mail: darmenteras@humboldt.org.co
Rudas Guillermo
Humboldt Institute
Policies and legislation Program
calle 3#8-40 Mezzanine
Bogota
Colombia
E-mail: grudas@humboldt.org.co
Nelly Rodriguez
Humboldt Institute
Calle 378-40 MEzzanine
Bogota
Colombia
E-mail: nrodriguez@humboldt.org.co