Restoration: Projects in Latin America & Caribbean

Engaging stakeholders through a range of approaches

South and Central America present a rich diversity of forest types which provide habitat for a wide range of endemic species. However, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO ), the net annual loss of forest cover in South America is estimated at 4.3 million hectares.

Forest losses affect people and species
The loss of forests and the connectivity or linkages between forest blocks that are better protected is a critical issue for the survival of many birds, mammals and reptiles, including key species such as the jaguar. Local communities who are dependent on forests for fuel, food, medicine, raw materials, and sources of income, are also affected by these losses.

Misguided policies
Furthermore strong policies supporting the establishment of forest and agricultural plantations have negatively affected the quality of forest cover in countries such as Chile, and have encouraged the conversion of natural forest to other uses. Major threats include deforestation for cattle ranching, illegal logging and conversion to plantations of soy and other crops.


Restoring trees and their vital functions
WWF is working to engage key partners and stakeholders in Forest Landscape Restoration through a wide range of approaches aimed at restoring tree cover and functions in priority landscapes. At the same time, the organization is also working to ensure that relevant policies adequately take into account biodiversity and social issues, that further forest conversion is minimised, and to support sustainable production measures that incorporate ecological and social criteria.

Forest restoration activities are taking place in the Northwest Andes and Southwest Amazon (Ecuador, Colombia and Peru), the Atlantic forests of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, and the Valdivian forests of Chile.