Conservation of the Cochabamba Mountain-Finch,
Bolivia
Region: |
Tunari National
Park and nearby valleys of the Cochabamba Department,
Bolivia |
Partner: |
Centro de Biodiversidad
y Genética- CBG of the Universidad Mayor de San
Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia, and Asociación
Armonía,
Santa Cruz, Bolivia |
Initiation: |
November 2005 |
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| Photo: Mike Parr |
Introduction: The
Endangered Cochabamba Mountain-Finch (Poospiza garleppi)
is a Bolivian endemic species that until recently was only known
from only eleven localities in the mountains surrounding the
Cochabamba valley in central Bolivia. The mountain-finch is
a woodland specialist strongly associated but not totally restricted
to Polylepis forests. Unfortunately, today the slopes above
the Cochabamba valley are dry and barren with only sparse shrub
cover, with the exception of some Polylepis forests in Tunari
National Park. Recently, during the implementation of a joint
initiative, local partner CBG found the species in Polylepis
forests outside the Cochabamba valley, in the region of Llallahuani,
Departamento de Potosí.
Investigations have shown that, at least
seasonally, the species appears to be present in agricultural
areas if there are Polylepis forest in a range of few kilometers,
and that some farming chemicals for potatoes have killed birds
in certain periods of the year.
Two main strategies emerge from our current
knowledge of the species and its ecology. First, it is necessary
to continue surveying other potential sites for the species,
locating key populations and identify areas of high priority.
It is also important to collect local information on the usage
of agricultural chemicals, attitudes toward conserving the
forested habitats where the species is found and conservation
possibilities.
Simultaneously, environmental education
programs regarding the species and the Polylepis forests are
needed in Tunari NP, the only protected area that includes
habitat for this species. Furthermore, community conservation
programs should be strengthened as to restore the Polylepis
forests in this protected area and to provide economic incentives
to stop the destruction of this habitat.
Objective:
Increase the protection of the Polylepis forests in Tunari
NP, and promote community based restoration of this ecosystem.
Promote the creation of a municipal protected area or a community
reserve in the Llallahuani area for the conservation of the
new habitats discovered. Assess the Cochabamba Mountain-Finch
population and explore the existence of new populations. Initiate
an education program in many communities based on a “pride
campaign” design.
Actions:
1. Continue with Polylepis restoration activities in Tunari
NP, engaging the local communities, and develop local Polylepis
nurseries.
2- Develop a community-based conservation campaign to promote
the protection of the Llallahuani forests and the creation
of some type of protected area.
3- Identify new populations and estimate the global population
size, based on survey data and availability of habitat.
4. Determine the key areas for protecting the Cochabamba Mountain-Finch.
5. Assess the degree of fragmentation and patchiness of the
species’ subpopulations.
Accomplishments:
1. Creation of local nurseries in San Miguel, Tunari NP, and
Sacha Loma (buffer zone), and reforestation of 5 hectares
(12 acres).
2- Improvement of 1 km (0.6 mi) of trail for bird watching,
including the construction of a bird observation tower.
3- Several community training events in San Miguel, Sacha
Loma and Alalay, including themes like bird conservation and
ecotourism, and the production of brochures with the local
birds for each of the participating community.
4- Nearly 24 trips into the area around Palcapampa to map
mountain-finch distributions and search for nests.
5. Participated in meetings with the community of Palcapampa.
6. Participated in classroom activities with students at Palcapampa
School for one hour per week for two months, teaching the
students about the mountain-finch and handing out environmental
education materials.
For more information about this project,
contact
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