ColombiaEcosystem restoration · Extreme events

Restoration of high Andean peatlands through rewetting in the face of variability in water availability in the El Almorzadero páramo, Colombia

In the El Almorzadero páramo (Colombia), the peatlands that regulate water are degraded by drainage and the entry of sheep and horses. Peatlands for the Future, an initiative led by young people from The Ecosystem Carbon Conservation (TECC), restores them by blocking drains to re-wet them and isolating areas; other young people support the monitoring. They have already restored 4 hectares and managed to include the peatlands in the national technical standard for water security (NTC 6766).

Extreme eventsEcosystem restoration
Imagen de Restauración de turberas altoandinas mediante rehumidificación frente a la variabilidad en la disponibilidad de agua en el páramo El Almorzadero, Colombia
Problem
The peat bogs of the El Almorzadero páramo store carbon and regulate water, but they are degraded. Drainage channels and the entry of sheep and horses reduce their water levels and promote the decomposition of organic soil, which releases greenhouse gases. Nationally, TECC estimates that more than 17 million people depend on water regulated by páramos and peatlands.
Action
Rewetting degraded peatlands by blocking drainage channels, to recover natural water levels and promote the growth of peat-forming vegetation; isolation of the intervened areas to limit access for sheep and horses; sampling soil to evaluate its carbon content and recording pH, electrical conductivity and soil temperature; and awareness-raising and participation activities with the local community.
Place
Cerrito, Santander, Colombia
Youth participation
It is the first youth-led initiative in Colombia dedicated to restoring, conserving and financing peatlands, according to TECC. Its founder, David Santiago Rocha Cárdenas, promotes restoration and research; Other youth participate in soil sampling and monitoring.

Base information

Measure summary

In the El Almorzadero páramo (Colombia), the peatlands that regulate water are degraded by drainage and the entry of sheep and horses. Peatlands for the Future, an initiative led by young people from The Ecosystem Carbon Conservation (TECC), restores them by blocking drains to re-wet them and isolating areas; other young people support the monitoring. They have already restored 4 hectares and managed to include the peatlands in the national technical standard for water security (NTC 6766).

National vulnerability profile

Colombia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change globally despite its historically low contribution of emissions, with high exposure to floods, droughts and landslides that affect the population, infrastructure and water availability. High mountain ecosystems, such as páramos and peat bogs, are especially vulnerable to climate changes and key to water regulation, so their conservation and restoration strengthen the country's adaptation capacity.

Measure objectives

Restore degraded high Andean peatlands by recovering their water levels and peat-forming vegetation; improve regulation and quality of water and biodiversity; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and finance conservation so that local communities improve their quality of life.

Proposed solutions

Rewetting degraded peatlands by blocking drainage channels, to recover natural water levels and promote the growth of peat-forming vegetation; isolation of the intervened areas to limit access for sheep and horses; sampling soil to evaluate its carbon content and recording pH, electrical conductivity and soil temperature; and awareness-raising and participation activities with the local community.

Beneficiary communities

As potential beneficiaries, the local communities linked to the Mararai Reserve and the people who depend on the water resources and ecosystem services of the El Almorzadero páramo stand out.

Role of youth

It is the first youth-led initiative in Colombia dedicated to restoring, conserving and financing peatlands, according to TECC. Its founder, David Santiago Rocha Cárdenas, promotes restoration and research; Other youth participate in soil sampling and monitoring.

Results

TECC reports 4 hectares of peatlands restored in the El Almorzadero páramo (Wilches Reserve) and having achieved the inclusion of the peatlands in the Colombian technical standard NTC 6766 on water security. The project has participated in the COP16 on Biodiversity, the COP16 on Desertification, the UNESCO Water Youth Dialogue and the GLF Restoration Stewards program.

Complementary information

Funding type

Mixed

Local climate problem

The peat bogs of the El Almorzadero páramo store carbon and regulate water, but they are degraded. Drainage channels and the entry of sheep and horses reduce their water levels and promote the decomposition of organic soil, which releases greenhouse gases. Nationally, TECC estimates that more than 17 million people depend on water regulated by páramos and peatlands.

National sociopolitical context

Colombia has a regulatory framework for climate action, which includes the National Climate Change Policy and laws 1931 of 2018 and 2169 of 2021. Among its priorities are adaptation, emissions reduction, and conservation of strategic ecosystems. However, difficulties persist in the territorial implementation of the measures and a financing gap for climate adaptation.

Strategic alliances

The Ecosystem Carbon Conservation (TECC), which leads the project, participates; the Andean Corporation for Integral and Sustainable Development (COANDIS), linked according to the Global Landscapes Forum; GLF's Restoration Stewards program, of which the project is a part; local actors from the reserve, including Mireya and José, and young people who support sampling and monitoring.

Enabling and limiting factors

As enabling factors, the collaboration with local actors in the reserve and access to the restoration area, the integration of scientific research on soil carbon with restoration, and the international visibility obtained in spaces such as COP16 and GLF's Restoration Stewards program stand out. As conditions, the project documentation points out financial sustainability challenges and institutional barriers.

Co-benefits

Improved water quality, increased biodiversity, reduced emissions from organic soil decomposition (mitigation), scientific knowledge on carbon in peatlands, environmental awareness and community participation, and potential local economic opportunities.

Scalability

TECC plans to scale its model to 200,000 hectares, starting with the páramos of Santander and Tolima and then in Amazonian morichales and coastal mangroves, based on a financial model based on carbon and biodiversity credits. It is a stated goal; Its replication depends on that financing, access to land and collaboration with communities.

Long-term sustainability

TECC proposes a business model with water provision, payments for environmental services, carbon credits, income sharing with communities, ecotourism and environmental education, supported by monitoring of water, carbon and biodiversity.