Tambo Condor

PROPOSAL FOR ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION Ecological corridor between Laguna De Las Secas and Cerro Yeguapamba Buffer zone of the Antisana Ecological Reserve

INTRODUCTION

As we write this proposal in May 2020, the COVID-19 disease pandemic still plagues the entire planet, with its wake of death and economic impact. This reality makes us question the way we are doing things. As a Foundation, we believe that we have broken the balance with nature, and we can contribute to restoring it. In this way, after eight years dedicated to the restoration of the Andean forest, we are pursuing more ambitious goals. We believe this proposal is a step in the right direction and a small but concrete contribution towards a new balance with nature.

SUMMARY

We propose habitat restoration to create a 1.1 ha ecological corridor in Tambo Condor, located in the buffer zone of the Antisana Ecological Reserve, Ecuador. This will have the following social and environmental benefits: 1) 368.5 tons of CO2 will be captured, 2) an ecological corridor will be established between the healthy native ecosystems of Laguna De Las Secas and Cerro Yeguapamba, 3) an alliance will be forged between civil society and the private sector establishing a precedent and example of sustainable development in the area, 4) 3.000 native trees and shrubs will be planted, and 5) 300 volunteers will be recruited and trained for a comprehensive experience that, in addition to planting trees, seeks to teach them about the value of biodiversity.

BACKGROUND & LOCATION

Fundación Ecuatoriana de Conservación Sembrando Esperanza (FECSE), is a non-profit organization based in Quito, Ecuador (www.fsembrandoesperanza.org), which has forged an alliance with the Tambo Condor Ecotourism Project (PETC), this project is a family business located in the rural parish of Pintag, Pichincha Province (Figure 1) and develops a sustainable tourism proposal focused on bird watching. As part of a pilot experience for the creation of the proposed ecological corridor, 110 trees were planted in 2019 with the participation of 15 volunteers. (See video).

The PETC is in the buffer zone of the Antisana Ecological Reserve (REA), which is part of Ecuador's National System of Protected Areas. This reserve, with its 120,000 hectares, is an important sanctuary for the conservation of Andean paramos and eastern Andean forests.

The REA is home to 418 species of birds, 73 mammals and 61 amphibians and reptiles, and is an important refuge for biodiversity, including critically endangered and threatened species

At the same time, an important part of the water supply for the city of Quito comes from these paramos and Andean forests. These ecosystems provide important ecological services, such as regulation of water supply, protection against erosion, and the opportunity for recreation in a pristine natural environment.

JUSTIFICATION

Ecological corridor: the fragmentation of ecosystems leads to ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity, ecological corridors offer the possibility of generating large benefits with small interventions, reducing the fragmentation of natural areas that have become isolated due to the advance of urban areas and productive activities. Small ecological corridors can significantly increase the health of an ecosystem by encouraging migration, dispersal, and interrelationships among wildlife populations.

Sustainable economic alternatives: the traditional economic activities in the Tambo Condor area are agriculture and livestock; practices that, as they spread over the Andean ecosystems, generate their reduction and fragmentation. The PETC seeks to be a reference for sustainable economic alternatives for the members of this community.

Climate change mitigation: conversion of grassland to Andean forest, besides being a connectivity strategy, is also a mechanism to mitigate the effects of climate change by capturing CO2 resulting from such conversion.

Ecosystem services: the drinking water consumed by the inhabitants of southern Quito, originates in Laguna La Mica, located in the REA, and Tambo Cóndor is in its buffer area. Conserving these ecosystems is a priority to preserve water resources.

Environmental education: although planting can be done quickly by hired personnel, FECSE has chosen to educate and work with volunteers, who in addition to planting become ambassadors in the struggle to care for the environment.

THE PROYECT

PETC occupies a strip of grassland between Laguna De Las Secas and Cerro Yeguapamba (Figure 2). In both areas the original ecosystem is in good condition, and in order to connect them, FECSE and PETC proposed to carry out habitat restoration work in that area and establish an ecological corridor there, which is the central axis of this proposal.

The PETC has committed, through a Cooperation Agreement signed with FECSE, to preserve this area in perpetuity for the protection of Andean ecosystems.

This proposal establishes the basis for the creation of this ecological corridor.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

To contribute to the recovery of natural ecosystems, environmental education, and the development of sustainable productive enterprises in the Tambo Condor sector, within the buffer zone of the Antisana Ecological Reserve.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• To restore habitat and create an ecological corridor in a 1.1 ha strip with 3,000 trees and shrubs in the PETC area, allowing the ecological connection between Cerro Yeguapamba and Laguna De Las Secas.
• To contribute to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
• To strengthen the PETC as a reference for sustainable productive activity.
• To contribute to halting the increase of areas for cattle raising and the planting of exotic species.
• To establish a pilot project that can be replicated.
• To recruit 300 volunteers for an integral activity of planting and environmental education.

METHODOLOGY

Work will be done using a methodology perfected during FECSE's 8 years of experience in the recovery of the native Andean forest in Quito's Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park. This consists of planting, recreating the area's original floristic composition, promoting the repopulation of native flora and fauna, and the development of ecological processes typical of the Andean ecosystem.

As part of post-planting maintenance and monitoring, we will water in the dry season if necessary, and replace plants that do not develop with species that have demonstrated greater success. Volunteers for the education and planting experience will mainly be company officials and students from Pintag, the nearest town to the site.

RESULTS ACHIEVED IN PILOT EXPERIENCE

• 160 native plants were planted with the support of volunteers, the last planting of 110 trees was done in December 2019.
• Three people from FECSE and 15 volunteers from Johnson & Johnson participated in this last planting day. In addition to learning how to plant, participants received a talk on environmental responsability.
• The ecological restoration process was initiated to establish an ecological corridor between the Yeguapamba Forest and the Laguna De Las Secas on the PETC property.
• The feasibility of the proposed methodology was established, and the land was found to be appropriate for the creation of the ecological corridor.
• FECSE and PETC established the basis for signing a Cooperation Agreement.
• Residents of neighboring properties were encouraged to recover the ecosystem on their land.

SCHEDULE 2020

2021

ACTIVITY

Buy trees, shrubs, supplies

Planting with volunteers

Monitoring and replacement of plants

Invitation to neighbors and visitors

Maintenance and / or watering days

Project evaluation, results

(*) Start date 09.2020, may vary depending on the evolution of the Covid 19 desease.

BUDGET (US DOLARS) Item	Detail	Foundation Contribution	For funding	TOTAL
Trees, shrubs, native species	Different species	$3,750.00	$3,750.00
Tools and materials	Bars, shovels, etc.	$539.00	$1,587.00	$2,126.00
Transport, food	Volunteers	$3,150.00	$2,700.00	$5,850.00
Carbon capture certificate	For participating companies	$500.00	$500.00
Maintenance	Maintenance of trees planted	$3,000.00	$3,000.00
TOTAL	$4,189.00	$11,037.00	$15,226.00