Diagnóstico socioambiental del bosque seco subtropical de la cuenca del Río Ranchería, La Guajira, Colombia

Abstract

A socio-environmental study of the Rancheria River Basin, in the department of La Guajira, Colombia was conducted during the month of March 2013 in order to gather relevant information for the design of a Natural Protected Area. Flora and fauna samplings, and physical and cartographic analyses were performed in an area of about 32 hectares of subtropical dry forest, and the socio-economic conditions and the use of goods and services of 98 communities living in the area were evaluated. The presence of 14 species included within the threatening categories of IUCN was determined. It was found that the 98 of the Wayuu ethnic communities visited, are below the poverty line and their livelihood depends basically on grazing and underemployment in urban centers nearby. The area offers the conditions and values to advance in a process to declare it as protected natural area.