Restoration approaches:

• Framework planting
• Mixed ANR and planting
• Agroforestry

Goals:

• Support the conservation of the jaguar and its Atlantic Forest habitat by transforming the current agricultural model (subsistance farming) into an agroecological approach.
• Place 196 ha under restoration: 147 ha of forest and 49 ha of agroforestry.
• Support 49 rural families in establishing productive agroforestry systems with improved access to water.
• Develop a management plan that reflects a shared vision agreed upon with the key stakeholders.

Discover more on WeForest’s website

Why is intervention needed?

The state of Misiones, Argentina, contains the largest remaining tract of Atlantic Forest. It is also home to an important sub-population of jaguars, with around 90 individuals that live the Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná, shared by Argentina and Brazil. However, around 50% of the native forest is unprotected and located in a mosaic of plantations and pasturelands. Agriculture here is mainly dominated by perennial crops, particularly yerba mate, a native Atlantic Forest tree whose evergreen leaves produce a high-caffeine tea.

Establishing wildlife corridors

The project will engage 49 smallholder farmers to kickstart the transformation of the current agricultural model, promoting a forest-based production of yerba mate and improving water access and resources by restoring degraded sites, creating forest patches that connect the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve with the Piñalito and Cruce Caballero Provincial Parks. By conserving, restoring and promoting sustainable use of the Atlantic Forest both here and in Pontal, Brazil, we can work towards a gene flow within two important sub-populations of jaguars.