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:
- 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 environmental services in ejidos of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve," with concurrent funds from the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), since 2017, annual payments have been made to two ejidos (Pustunich and Yohaltún) for conservation of its forest expansions located in the buffer zone of the reserve.
At the same time, the Amigos de Calakmul association has maintained continuous monitoring of the forest cover in these ejidos, and according to the findings of the 2022 report, the vegetation areas have not suffered significant alterations. However, small clearings and the presence of people in restricted areas have been identified, which has motivated an increase in surveillance rounds and forest protection actions to ensure the integrity of the ecosystem.
During the second half of 2023, Amigos de Calakmul continued with technical support activities for the two ejidos and monitoring forest cover.
Allies
Donor:
- Conservation International Mexico
Partners:
- Amigos de Calakmul, A.C.
- Comisión Nacional Forestal