People in nature : valuing the diversity of interrelationships between people and nature
Publication
2016
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YAWI SUMAK: La Bicicleta como una herramienta de comunicación ambiental.
Yawi-Sumak es una combinación de palabras indígenas, Yawi significa: saladero, un sitio en el bosque donde las aves y otros animales se reúnen para ingerir sales minerales y Sumak significa: bonito, grandioso. A través de un ciclopaseo ecológico con más de 300 ciclistas, se muestran las acciones que implementan autoridades ambientales, gobiernos locales y la comunidad en la conservación y uso sostenible de los recursos naturales. Esta herramienta de comunicación innovadora e incluyente permite a la población urbana tener una experiencia vivencial al conocer la belleza escénica, servicios ecosistémicos y especies paraguas, así como también la riqueza cultural de los grupos étnicos que habitan en la región: Shuar, Saraguro y Mestizos.
La iniciativa se pudo replicar en el Programa Regional AbE Ecuador para fomentar el ecoturismo comunitario en Membrillal, Manabi y se ha constituido en el ciclopaseo más importante del país. Fue presentada en el foro mundial de la bicicleta en México 2017.
Los planes de vida como una herramienta básica de articulación en el territorio de la Reserva Comunal Machiguenga
La Reserva Comunal Machiguenga alberga gran diversidad biológica y cultural,habitada por las comunidades nativas de las etnias Matsigenka, Ashaninka, Kaquinte y Yine-Yami, quienes son los guardianes del bosque y de sus riquezas desde tiempos ancestrales. El buen vivir de estas poblaciones necesita la articulación de los diferentes niveles de gobierno y actores locales, por ello los planes de vida, son las herramienta clave que permiten articular su visión de futuro con las actividades del Estado, la sociedad civil y el sector privado.
Las comunidades socias del Ejecutor de Contrato de Administración “MAENI”(ECA MAENI) que cuentan con PDV son Chakopishiato, Koribeni, Poyentimari y Tangoshiari elaborados con el soporte del equipo del ECA y la Jefatura de la RC Machiguenga.
Los PDV se basan en 3 pilares para:
- Auto-reflexionar acerca del estado actual de la comunidad,
- Pensar y planificar el futuro de la comunidad y
- Conectar con actores externos a fin de alcanzar sus metas.
Participación de la población en la gestión efectiva del Santuario Nacional Megantoni, mediante acuerdos de conservación, herramienta eficaz para la conservación
La gestión participativa es clave para Santuario Nacional Megantoni (SNM), por ello promueve los acuerdos de conservación (AC), con asociaciones de productores, comunidades nativas y la empresa privada como La Ibérica (empresa chocolatera) y PERHUSA (empresa exportadora de café), con la finalidad de promover la conservación de la biodiversidad del SNM y dinamizar el desarrollo local.
Actualmente se tienen 06 AC, que benefician a 248 familias y estas a su vez retribuyen protegiendo 58 367 ha del SNM y 33 459 ha en la zona de amortiguamiento mediante acciones de vigilancia comunal. El SERNANP acompaña en el proceso, capacita y reconoce a los vigilantes comunales. Las empresas compran el cacao y café a precios justos y hacen uso del sello “Aliado por la Conservación”, certificación que demuestra que los servicios o productos son elaborados bajo un esquema de buen uso y manejo
Los tres factores de éxito para la conservación de la cuenca del Río Negro del Amazonas en Brasil: Gobernanza y participación en el manejo de recursos naturales; creación de alianzas público privadas; y mosaicos de conservación
La promoción de la participación local, para garantizar el acceso a los recursos naturales en la zona colindate al Parque Nacional de Jaú; sumado a la aplicación de un enfoque de mosaicos de conservación, para consolidar un territorio protegido más extenso; y a la inclusión del Parque en un Programa Estatal de conservación de bosques tropicales, con financiamiento público, privado y de organismos internacionales, han sido factores clave para la conservación de la cuenca del Río Negro del Amazonas.
Negocios sustentables y gobernanza: Sello Colectivo Calakmul
La Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul cuenta con el eje de “Negocios Sustentables”, cuyo objetivo es promover beneficios económicos a través del uso racional y aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales. En 2015, Calakmul comenzó la promoción de un distintivo para empresas sustentables y posicionar productos y servicios de la región a nivel nacional e internacional. Como resultado, surge el Certificado Sello Colectivo Calakmul, que es un distintivo para empresas con criterios de gobernanza, economía local y corresponsabilidad ambiental con apropiación y conservación del patrimonio biocultural. Asimismo, se desarrolló una propuesta y un mapeo de actores para generar alianzas con otras instituciones y potencializar la iniciativa. En 2019 participan cinco comunidades, siete empresas certificadas y tres en proceso, donde los productos con calidad de exportación son miel, artesanías de madera y meliponicultura, productos de higiene personal y servicios de transportistas y operadores turísticos.
Standards, methods and guidelines for cross-referencing ecosystem classifications and maps to the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology
This publication establishes a structured, rigorous standard for cross-referencing ecosystem types to the GET. It first reviews the need for reliable interoperability among ecosystem classifications and the role of the GET as a framework for synthesis. Second, it reviews the conceptual foundations of ecosystem classifications and introduces the structure of the GET. Third, the guidelines introduce key principles for cross-referencing the units of other ecosystem classifications to GET Ecosystem Functional Groups. In particular, it identifies the range of land and water classifications that may be suitable for crossreferencing to the GET. The next section describes the steps, methods and guidance for defining membership relationships to GET Ecosystem Functional Groups. Finally, it foreshadows emerging tools to assist users in crossreferencing tasks with example applications.
Gender-Inclusive Apiculture for Mangrove Protection and Livelihoods in Kwale and Tanga
The IKI-BMUKN funded project Transboundary conservation and sustainable management of coastal and marine biodiversity in Kwale, Kenya and Tanga, Tanzania supports the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity through community-based and gender-inclusive approaches. To reduce pressure on mangrove ecosystems, the project introduced sustainable apiculture as an alternative livelihood for local communities in Kwale and Tanga. The mentorship training takes place in two parts: The first part focuses on beehive construction, colony management and honey production. The second part is delivered when the honey is ready for harvest and builds skills in processing and value addition, including the use of beeswax for making products such as candles and ointments. Through mentoring and inclusive training design, women who were previously excluded due to cultural taboos have now become active participants in beekeeping. The project supports both environmental protection and local income generation.
Sparśa Ambassador Program: Youth-Led Menstrual Health Education and Stigma Reduction in Nepal
This initiative is part of the Sparsa Solution, a Nepali non-profit organization that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads with an absorbent core made from banana fiber. The Sparśa Ambassador Program trains young community members to deliver culturally sensitive menstrual health education in Chitwan, Nawalpur East, and Nawalpur West. Ambassadors—both male and female—are selected from their own communities and trained in MHM, SRHR, facilitation, and leadership. They design age-appropriate sessions for schools, using interactive activities, product demonstrations, and environmental messaging, and run dialogue-based discussions for adults to address myths, stigma, and sustainable product choices. Strong partnerships with schools, NGOs, and local authorities ensure legitimacy and reach. By combining youth leadership, tailored education, and local engagement, the programme improves knowledge, reduces stigma, promotes gender equality, and supports a shift toward eco-friendly menstrual products.
Defining a Good Menstrual Pad: A User-Centered R&D Process in Nepal
This initiative is part of the Sparśa Solution, a Nepali non-profit company that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads with an absorbent core made from banana fibre. The solution focuses on defining what makes a good menstrual pad, combining research, prototyping, quality assurance, and continuous user feedback.
The process began with a nationwide study of 820 women and girls, whose insights shaped the pad prototypes. Pads were then developed in two phases: manually and later with machines, testing different material combinations to balance absorbency, comfort, and compostability. Internal testing protocols and certified laboratory analysis ensured hygiene and compliance with national and international standards.
Feedback from users, collected through simplified surveys in Nepali and English, provides the basis for ongoing refinement of both pad design and packaging. By linking social research with technical innovation, the solution delivers pads that are safe, eco-friendly, and culturally acceptable.
Smart Conservation Platform-Driven Sustainable Development: A Case Study of the Bogda Component, Xinjiang Tianshan World Natural
The Bogda Component of Xinjiang Tianshan World Natural Heritage Site exemplifies representative geomorphological features and ecosystems of Xinjiang Tianshan. As a quintessential arid landscape in Eurasia’s hinterland, it showcases remarkably distinct and complete vertical zonation of mountain natural landscapes within minimal distances. This includes: snow-capped peaks and glaciers, pristine forests and meadows, crystal-clear rivers and lakes, expansive deserts. It achieves a remarkable convergence of stark contrasts: heat and cold, aridity and humidity, desolation and beauty, grandeur and delicacy. To realize win-win protection and development, the site is steadily advancing its smart conservation management platform, providing foundational support for sustainable development.
Case study of collective forest management in Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province — a case study of collective
Liziba Village has abundant natural resources and a good ecological environment, but excessive logging, illegal medicinal plant collection, and poaching have caused losses to villagers’ lives. In 2003, with the support of the Gansu Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve Administration and the local village committee, villagers spontaneously formed a forest protection team to expel illegal loggers and poachers and to educate and supervise fellow villagers. After the introduction of conservation agreements in 2007, illegal activities decreased and the ecological environment improved. The promotion of tea industry technologies and mechanized management increased tea farmers’ income. Villagers shifted from traditional forest-dependent livelihoods to diversified development, becoming protectors and managers of forest resources. This transformation boosted the community economy and living standards, and promoted harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
From Plants to Power: Integrating and Strengthening Community Voices in the Value Chain
In Côte d’Ivoire, most local communities are barely involved in the valorisation of genetic resources like medicinal plants – beyond providing them as raw or minimally processed material. They are unaware of what happens to these resources beyond local markets.
This is compounded by deep-rooted mistrust, which can lead to community representatives not attending meetings. Thus, their resources are often used without their participation or them benefitting.
Improving the inclusion of local communities in valorisation has been a key pillar of the ABS Capacity Development Initiative. New approaches have led to promising results. In northeastern Côte d’Ivoire, the ABS Initiative piloted a model and successful integrated communities into the value chain for traditional medicine. The approach included engaging traditional and administrative authorities at every level, actively involving village residents, and using tools like picture cards and role-playing games, all while supporting the organisation of traditional healers.
