Conservation – Forest First Colombia

Conservation Efforts

Forest First Colombia (FFC) offers a high-integrity, nature-based climate solution to one of Latin America’s most pressing land-use crises: the escalating degradation of the Vichada savannas, driven by decades of unsustainable cattle ranching and a growing epidemic of uncontrolled, human-induced wildfires. Our approach combines certified sustainable commercial forestry, ecosystem regeneration, fire risk mitigation, and domestic wood supply development at scale.

Biodiversity Conservation Efforts

Within our project’s area of influence, we have identified 22 types of ecosystems. Expansive savannas dominate the landscape, covering more than 70% of the area, and are surrounded by gallery forests, which account for approximately 8%. The savannas, particularly in the high plains, have a crucial role in the ecosystem.

We recognize that these ecosystems are essential for ecological balance, and we understand that studying and identifying the species that inhabit them is fundamental to implementing conservation and protection measures. In addition to declaring natural gallery forests as protected areas, we have established research agreements with three leading scientific organizations specializing in biodiversity: OMACHA foundation, Panthera foundation, and the ECOLMOD research group from the National University of Colombia.

We conducted the first plantation biodiversity analysis in the region’s forest plantations.

Biodiversity Monitoring Efforts

Our biodiversity monitoring efforts are continuous. Recently, we conducted two studies: the first is using trail cameras to analyize the diversity and composition of medium and large mammals in savanna ecosystems, natural gallery forests, and commercial forests managed by FFC. The second focuses on bird species allowing us to develop an inventory and gather valuable data on their presence and behavior in the region.

The objective of this monitoring initiative is to characterize the composition, relative abundance, and activity patterns of terrestrial mammal communities and birds within areas influenced by commercial forest plantations. The information gathered will support the identification of edge effects, functional wildlife corridors, and shifts in faunal community structure.

Sustainable Water Resource Use

The long-term average rainfall in our area in Vichada has been recorded as 2,300 mm per annum. This level of precipitation greatly exceeds the amounts needed by any of our planting whether commercial or restorative. We carefully monitor water levels and quality. With continued research, we expect to be able to prove that our activities improve the water table due to increased infiltration.

Year on year with the increase in the size of our planted areas, our water use per hectare has improved having achieved a 74% reduction in overall water consumption per ha under plantation by 2018 from the initial consumption recorded in 2014.

Initial investigations suggest that on average we use 24% less water to sustain our nurseries compared with other similar operations. We will continue to benchmark our operations against similar production units to determine if our water usage efficiencies are comparable with similar size nurseries.

We are aware that water use, and the protection of surface water features, lies at the foundation of sustainability. We have implemented a water management plan that will set future targets for water savings and reuse of water where possible in line with SDG 13. At present, FFC has improved our water use efficiency between 20 – 40 per cent in our operations.

Commercial Forests

The approximately 50% of our land that we plant for commercial purposes also has measurable environmental benefits. The trees we plant, though not native to the savanna – as by definition there are no trees on a savanna – sequester enormous amounts of CO2 especially when compared to the degraded land found in Vichada.

By producing a domestic lumber supply we provide much needed resources to the Colombian economy, obviating replacements like concrete and steel, which are highly polluting, and by replacing the more expensive foreign imports which also have a high carbon footprint due to shipping.

Improving Soil Quality

Under FFC’s management practices, the soil quality has improved, when compared to the grasslands not under our management. This improvement is the result of an increase in the vegetative litter layer on the soil, as the trees mature and reach canopy closure. Early evidence shows an increase in soil organic matter, which is now measured on an annual basis and is a key aspect in sustainable land management. The reduction and eventual elimination of uncontrolled wildfires allows for the soil to recover from the decades of degradation and poor management practices. Additionally, improvements in the organic carbon levels are also detected and are associated with improved rainfall infiltration and increased soil biotic activity.

FFC’s operations are helping to regenerate these areas by:

Changing local management practices
Conserving areas linked to sensitive ecosystems
Implementing proper planting and maintenance practices that are increasing soil organic matter and improving water infiltration.
Preventing and controlling wildfires allowing natural regeneration of the savanna.
Analyzing areas where boundary forests may have existed previously with the intention of replanting them with native species.

Forests are vitally important for sustaining life on Earth and play a major role in the fight against climate change. Investing in land restoration is critical for improving livelihoods, reducing vulnerabilities, and reducing risks for the economy. FFC embraces a Life on Land approach and is committed to act sustainably with regard to water usage, soil improvement, and biodiversity.