Colombia is recognised for its overall high biodiversity and being number one for bird richness globally. Colombia’s rich biodiversity and the multiple values associated with it are threatened by multiple drivers of change including deforestation and climate change. In this opinion piece, we argue that to succeed in protecting forests and associated biodiversity in Colombia, conservation actions need to consider local communities and focus on win-win situations for biodiversity and people. We highlight the example of birdwatching tourism as a nature-based solution that can help halt deforestation and contribute to climate change adaptation. Climate induced environmental change is already affecting biodiversity globally [1]. In Colombia, the predicted impacts of climate change are already being observed across different ecoregions, including drier, warmer climates and an increase in extreme events [2,3]. In response to these challenges, the Colombian government has taken an active, and rather pragmatic approach to address climate change. The country’s rich biodiversity is often at the core of the country’s ambitious goals to address climate change and meet global targets. Climate change and biodiversity are often used in synergy as an opportunity for funding and to engage in international collaborations. An example is Vision Amazonia, a climate mitigation and anti-deforestation program in the Colombian Amazon.
The value of standing forests for birds and people in a biodiversity hotspot
Year: 2022
