Launch of the Spanish Edition of a Guide for Conserving Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands through Area-Based Conservation Approaches

Gabriel Quijandría, Regional Director of IUCN South America, emphasized the guide’s integration of ecological and social dimensions of conservation: “One aspect that cannot be overlooked is the importance of freshwater ecosystems as providers of sustainable livelihoods for both local communities and large urban centers.” 

He highlighted the case of Iquitos, Peru, located near the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where approximately 75% of the protein consumed by the local population originates from resources associated with the protected area. 

Pacaya Samiria is one of several Latin American case studies featured in the guide, alongside Laguna Torca (Chile), the Bita and Atrato rivers (Colombia), the San Francisco River (Argentina), the Nushiño-Curaray-Villano Community River Reserve (Ecuador), Mar Chiquita Lagoon (Argentina), the San Pedro Mezquital Environmental Water Reserve (Mexico), the Puelo and Futaleufú rivers (Chile), and the Aguarico-Chingual-Cofánes Water Protection Area (Ecuador). 

Unlike conventional conservation approaches that are primarily designed for terrestrial ecosystems, the guide recognizes the dynamic and interconnected nature of freshwater systems. As explained by Robin Abell, TNC’s Global Freshwater Protection Lead, effective conservation must incorporate key ecological attributes such as hydrological regimes, connectivity, water quality and quantity, and freshwater biodiversity. 

At the same time, the guide places people at the center of conservation planning and management, explicitly incorporating human rights, equity, and the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as fundamental conditions for achieving effective and enduring conservation outcomes. 

The publication also highlights the importance of managing freshwater ecosystems at the river basin scale, recognizing the upstream-downstream and lateral ecological connections that shape watershed processes. It combines practical tools for planning, governance, and financing with lessons learned from conservation experiences around the world. 

During the webinar, experts shared insights from several field experiences featured in the guide, illustrating the potential of area-based conservation approaches for freshwater ecosystems. 

In Ecuador, participants highlighted the development of Water Protection Areas, a legal mechanism designed to safeguard critical water sources for communities. The Aguarico-Chingual-Cofánes case demonstrates how participatory processes and multi-stakeholder governance—bringing together local governments, water user associations, and producers—can support watershed conservation and restoration efforts. 

Lorena Coronel, Resilient Watersheds Coordinator at TNC Ecuador, who presented the case study, noted: “We are currently working toward the establishment of a long-term financial sustainability mechanism that will enable the continued implementation of these conservation actions over time.” 

From Colombia, Fernando Trujillo, Founder and Director of Fundación Omacha, presented the case of the Bita River, the first Ramsar Site designated at the scale of an entire river basin. More than three decades of collaboration among local communities, government authorities, and productive sectors have enabled the integration of conservation and sustainable use practices, including ecotourism and agreements with livestock and forestry stakeholders. 

“The legal mechanisms already exist. But for them to become a reality and function effectively in practice, the people who live within the basin must have a voice. Society and decision-makers need to understand the importance of these rivers.”