Calakmul Conservation Fund


Protecting the biodiversity of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

The Project

The Calakmul Conservation Fund aims to ensure the maintenance, protection, and enrichment of biodiversity in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (RBC, acronym in Spanish) and its area of influence through payment for ecosystem services (PES) to two communities (ejidos) in the region, thus maintaining the connectivity of the jaguar habitat.

Context

The RBC is a protected area located in the state of Campeche. It protects more than 80% of the plant species of the entire Yucatan Peninsula, 350 species of birds, and around 100 species of mammals. Its importance increases daily since it shelters one of Mexico's most emblematic endangered species: the jaguar (Panthera onca). This feline, which the Mayans revered in its time, has a population of 4,800 individuals in the wild today. About 5% inhabit Calakmul; however, they continue to be threatened by poaching and habitat loss.

In 2017, we joined forces with Conservation International Mexico, the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO, acronym in Spanish), and Amigos de Calakmul, A.C. (Friends of Calakmul, a non-profit organization), to reverse this critical situation. With the support of academic institutions, civil society organizations, and ejidos from the region, we have implemented concrete measures aimed at maintaining the forest cover, raising awareness among the local population regarding the jaguars’ situation, and proposing measures to take care of the population and habitat of this species.

The line of work that guides the actions of the Calakmul Conservation Fund:

  1. Support the people who own the forests that form biological corridors and that are part of the jaguars’ habitat. 

The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (RBC) is a protected area in Campeche that protects one of Mexico’s most emblematic species: the jaguar.

Achievements

As part of the project "Payment for ecological services in ejidos of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve," with concurrent funds from the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR, acronym in Spanish), annual payments have been made to two communities (ejidos) (Pustunich and Yohaltún) for the conservation of their forest extensions located in the buffer zone of the reserve. 

During this same period, Amigos de Calakmul conducted an annual evaluation of forest cover for both ejidos. According to the report for 2021, there were no significant changes in the surface areas of the different types of vegetation. However, the community brigades have reported the presence of people and small cleared areas. To avoid this situation, the number of surveillance and protection patrols in the forest area has been increased.

During the second half of 2022, Amigos de Calakmul conducted forest cover monitoring in the two ejidos. This analysis showed that the forest areas under the payment for environmental services scheme had not presented changes in their forest cover. No evidence of land use change or other activities that could modify forest cover has been found.
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Allies

Donor:

  • Conservation International México

Partners:

  • Amigos de Calakmul, A.C.
  • Comisión Nacional Forestal