Participatory research and conservation of threatened species in two wildlife protected areas of the Cotón River watershed, Costa Rica

Participatory research and conservation of threatened species in two wildlife protected areas of the Cotón River watershed, Costa Rica

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v14iS1.3879

Keywords:

cartography, citizen science, communities, habitat

Abstract

Introduction: Species categorized as threatened according to the IUCN are recognized as a global conservation priority, and their vulnerability to extinction demands immediate conservation actions. The Cotón River watershed, which includes the Las Tablas Protected Zone and the Pájaro Campana Biological Reserve, is one of the watersheds with more threatened species in Costa Rica: at least 35 vertebrate species under extinction risk. Objective: To identify the threatened species in the watershed and their threats, as a basis for conservation. Methods: Since 2016, species have been identified with camera traps, direct observation in transects, point counts and free surveys. Threats were identified with face-to-face workshop “social mapping”. Results: We obtained recent records of 12 Vulnerable, 7 Endangered and 1 Critically Endangered species (13 from conventional and 18 from workshops). Threats include illegal hunting, deforestation and excessive use of agrochemicals. Conclusion: We recommend direct efforts and raising awareness to conserve the significant threatened fauna of The Cotón River watershed.

Author Biography

José Méndez, Las Alturas del Bosque Verde Ltda., Coto Brus, Costa Rica

“Participatory research and conservation of threatened species in two wildlife protected areas in Costa Rica”. Introduction: Species categorized as threatened according to IUCN are recognized as a global conservation priority, considering their vulnerability to extinction demands immediate conservation actions. The Cotón River watershed, which includes Las Tablas Protected Zone (ZPLT) and Pajaro Campana Biological Reserve (RBBR-PC), is one of the watersheds with the largest number of threatened species in the country with at least 35 vertebrate species under extinction risk. Objective: To identify the threatened species that still survive in the watershed and their threats, to plan and implement conservation actions. Methods: Since 2016, the NGO ProCAT have been conducting research in Las Tablas PZ and the surrounding biological corridors. These investigations have been complemented since 2020 with a participatory research program led by the Asada Gutiérrez Brawn, ProCAT and SINAC. Techniques used to survey threatened species include camera traps, direct observation in transects, point counts and free surveys. Data was recorded using an Open Data Kit allowing the georeferencing and storage of the records in the cloud. Threats within these protected areas and their surrounding zones were identified and mapped with social mapping in a face-to-face workshop with the participation of local stakeholders. Results: we obtained recent records of 20 threatened species in the ZPLT and RBBR-PC, including 12 Vulnerable, 7 Endangered and 1 Critically Endangered according to the IUCN. Thirteen of the species were recorded through conventional research processes and 18 from the participatory approach. Among the most important threats identified were illegal hunting, which is present in almost the entire area, as well as deforestation and excessive use of agrochemicals, which are concentrated in Las Tablas sector and the southern limit of the ZPLT. Conclusion: These results highlight the need for direct efforts focused on land management and land use planning in Las Tablas sector, as well as the need for raising awareness within local communities to mitigate hunting, deforestation and the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, in order to conserve the habitat of the threatened species that survive in the area.

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Published

2021-11-17

How to Cite

Gómez Hoyos, D. A., Méndez, J., González, E., Jiménez Corrales, K., Fallas, R. ., Méndez, A., Méndez, R., Camacho Durán, M. J., Jiménez, R., Seisdedos de Vergara, R., Sandi Amador, H., Rojas, J., Porras, J., Schipper, J. ., & González Maya, J. F. (2021). Participatory research and conservation of threatened species in two wildlife protected areas of the Cotón River watershed, Costa Rica. UNED Research Journal, 14(S1), e3879. https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v14iS1.3879

Issue

Vol. 14 No. S1 (2022)

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