Colombian ecosystems at the crossroad after the new peace deal

Excerpt

After more than 50 years of struggle, Colombia’s armed conflict apparently is close to an end. The agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was stopped by the negative result of the referendum, but a new agreement has been already supported by the Colombian Parliament. If the process leading to peace in these territories is respected by all parties, the ceasefire will open many areas currently under conflict to more intensive human use and resource extraction (Fig. 1). Returning these areas to the Colombian Government may allow renewed scientific explorations to better understand the biodiversity and ecological complexity of these ecosystems (Regalado 2013). However, the new situation may also be opportunity for highly impacting activities. Large areas formerly closed because of the civil unrest may now be open to mining, logging, farming, or commercial fishing and hunting, thus threatening highly fragile ecosystems as well as the local communities.

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