Socio-ecological Systems of the Orotoy River Basin

Some initiatives of integrated management of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Colombia have been developed based on planning units of biophysical (p.e. basins) or political (p.e. municipalities) aspects, assuming that these are appropriate units for such purpose^1,2.

The Humboldt Institute has been implementing a methodology of territorial management that is based on the integrated valuation of ecosystem services³. The methodology originates in the perception of the territory as a socio-ecological system in which the relationships and interdependence of ecosystems and human societies is identified². Such socio-ecological focus is converted into a conceptual and methodological tool for analyzing interrelations of systems. Due to its versatility, it may be implemented in different areas and contexts. This is a key and necessary aspect for integrated territorial management and the prevention of environmental conflicts.

An example is the basin of the Orotoy River, which is located in the Orinoquía. In the basin three different socio-ecological systems exist: 1. A system in the higher part, with high mountain ecological functions where the greatest amount of forests and areas of water provision are found. This part is inhabited by small landowners and peasants dedicated to small-scale cattle raising, fishing, and recreation and tourism in the river. 2. The system of the middle zone, where petroleum extraction and palm and cattle agricultural systems in the foothills are predominant. There are dynamics of urban and industrial expansion where communities resemble urban centers, and workers associated with the hydrocarbons sector have settled. 3. A system in the lower part of the basin where there is a landscape characteristic to the Llanos Orientales. It is dominated by the expansion of palm and cattle agricultural systems and contains a rural population dedicated to traditional activities of cattle raising and rice crops, even if there is a large and new floating population that arrives with surges in the palm oil industry.

It is evident that the characteristics of socio-ecological systems inside the basin are not homogeneous. Nevertheless, the ecological connection between the systems, and especially the links between ecosystem services of water regulation or quality and the cultural similarities between the zones, must not be ignored. As a result of such connections, there currently is a growing demand for ecosystem services that has caused environmental conflicts between local and regional actors, chiefly those linked to productive activities and the use of water resources⁵. Conflicts may be addressed from a socio-ecological systems perspective to develop actions of conflict resolution, increase the adaptive capacity⁶ of each system, and reduce the risk of degradation or collapse of ecosystems and their associated services⁷.

Using such socio-ecological perspective may function as a response to address or prevent environmental conflicts because it considers a broad set of variables in planning that allow for greater detail of the territory.