Propuesta de Restauración de Áreas Ecosistémicas para la Recuperación y Conservación de la Ronda Hídrica del Río Maracas, en la Zona Rural del Municipio de Becerril, Departamento del Cesar

Abstract

The municipality of Becerril is a geographical setting rich in ecosystems and biodiversity, rich in subsoil mineral resources, and inhabited primarily by Indigenous and Afro-Colombians, a large proportion of whom are settled in the Perijá mountain range. The mountain range boasts significant biological diversity, which represents the region's biotic (floristic and faunistic) nature. Furthermore, it boasts highly important strategic ecosystems, with approximately 70% of its territory being forest reserves. However, there are factors that raise concern regarding the fragmentation and destruction of ecosystems in tropical dry forest areas, such as stressors and limiting factors. The Maracas River is a biodiverse ecosystem that provides an ecosystem service to the population by capturing resources for drinking water supply, among many other services. Unfortunately, it has been a source of concern due to poor human practices, from indiscriminate forest clearing and the destruction of wildlife, to erosion due to overexploitation of the soil, the expansion of livestock farming, and overgrazing, which become stressors and inhibit the sustainable development of the ecosystem. Ecological restoration through reforestation has become an ecosystem restoration activity through planting native species that strengthen the soil, wildlife, and water resources, which, in some way or effect, have been exposed by various anthropogenic activities (Ministry of Environment, 2018). This is intended to restore deforested areas in watersheds to improve soil quality and control erosion. In other words, gallery forests are essential for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the region.