Ecological Restoration of an altered area at the Majuy

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1 Ecological Restoration of an altered area at the Majuy Mountain in Cota, Colombia Introduction Human kind's constant pressure has generated alarming transformations to the natural ecosystems, which has caused, amongst other negative effects, the decrease and contamination of water resources, erosion and degradation of soils, the climatic global change and also serious impact on the biodiversity (CBD 2010); this last one is reflected in a distressing loss of species that directly affects natural communities as well as their ecological relationships, including the offer of goods and services belonging to the ecosystem. The Majuy Mountain, which is located in the town of Cota (Cundinamarca) near Bogota, is not the exception to this problem. There is a high pressure for urban land and the exotic forest that dominates the place has a high risk of forest fires. These have caused the disappearance of water sources, impoverishment of soil and a major decrease in the native vegetation and wildlife. For this reason and with the support of Clariant Colombia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation under the Suizagua Program, it was possible to implement strategies towards the ecological rehabilitation of three hectares of the Mountain, these 3 hectares are already finished and another 16 are waiting for proper funding. Objective The objective was to design and implement an ecological restoration plan for three hectares of an altered area in the Majuy Hill, located within the property of Bioparque La Reserva in Cota, Colombia. Area of interest

2 Methodology Stage I: Delimitation of the area of interest and definition of the purpose of restoration. Stage II: Characterization of the ecosystem's components: Soil, vegetation, arthropofauna, avifauna. Also, the identification of the stressors was made as well as limiting and potential factors of the area of interest. Stage III: Definition of strategies (Ecological restoration plan) and an evaluation and follow up program. Stage IV: Implementation of the Ecological Restoration Plan. Stage V: Monitoring Stage VI: Maintenance and control of invasive plant species Results and Discussion Invasive species and exotic plants were eradicated: 145 trees of Eucaliptus Globulus, 130 (DAP-10 cm), 15 (DAP 10 to 30 cm) 350 shrubs of the highly invasive Teline Monspessulana Approximately 1000 m² of a fern of the Pteridium aquilinum species

3 1270 plants from 19 different native species were planted in floristic designs and enrichment areas, 42 artificial bird perches and 2 natural shelters for mammals were installed. The process is being monitored with the measurement of indicator variables for three components of the ecosystem (birds, vegetation and arthropofauna). Is it vital to highlight how companies, communities and social promoters have gathered together with the objective to help the environment and are able to direct their efforts towards a common purpose, which is the restoration of degraded areas. Conclusion With the implementation of restoration strategies over these hectares located at the Majuy Mountain, an a long term improvement of the level of conservation and the ecosystem services are expected. At the same time a raise on the diversity of plant and animal species is assured and so far the amount of bird species has increased from 12 to more than 40. Also the first spring of water of the mountain has already been recovered from several years of water absence. This experience has had specific goals and is an example of the joint effort between the international and local entities and a heavy educational message to the biopark s thousands of yearly visitors who visit and get immersed in the project. Bibliography CONVENIO SOBRE DIVERSIDAD BIOLÓGICA (CBD) Estrategia global para la conservacion vegetal. López, J. M. & D.Bramwell (Ed). Área de medio ambiente y Aguas del Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo. Islas Canarias, España. Acknowledgements To Clariant Colombia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. To all the guides, workers, assistants and volunteers that participated and supported with great effort and dedication the field work.

4 Author: Mario Mora for the 3rd Iberoamerican and Caribbean Conference on Ecological Restoration Contact: Phone number:

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