Background

Between 1990-2015, Mexico ranked fifth globally for primary vegetation loss (6.38 million hectares converted and a corresponding 33% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 (18,797 GgCO2e). In the Marismas Nacionales-Manantlán corridor within the Central Pacific Jaguar Landscape jaguar populations and their habitats are threatened due to deforestation and agricultural and livestock ranching expansion, leading to habitat fragmentation, decreased prey availability and human-jaguar conflict, which can result in jaguar retaliatory killings. These territories are vital for the provision of ecosystem services to local communities, such as maintaining productive food supplies, including fisheries, livestock and agriculture products, and habitable weather conditions; therefore, protecting the jaguar can also benefit human livelihoods. Due to the importance and the possibility of integrating wildlife-friendly productive practices with jaguar conservation, jaguars can also become a symbol and example of sustainable development.

Scope of Work

WWF will work with local partners to improve the forest’s health, integrity and connectivity by protecting and restoring key sites for jaguars between protected areas within the Central Pacific Jaguar Landscape. The project will result in at least 750 hectares of degraded land under reforestation or restoration. The expansion of restoration efforts at a national level will also be supported, through work with other non-governmental organisations to create enabling conditions for restoration throughout Mexico under the Alianza Mexicana por la Restauracion de Ecosistemas (AMERE). As well as restoration, 100,000 hectares of the landscape (including protected areas, areas voluntarily destined for conservation, wildlife management units and key areas for connectivity) will be better conserved and implement sustainable productive practices. Local communities and landowners will be engaged in these efforts, from planning to monitoring results of the activities. Through an inclusive conservation approach, local communities will participate in improved governance and sustainable production, and become ‘jaguarundi’ jaguar stewards.