Protecting Biodiversity in Colombia

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. It is home to 10 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity which includes roughly two million species of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. But Colombia is also a hotspot for extinction and biodiversity loss because of climate and land use changes. 

In 2015, an agreement was made between the Colombian and UK government to conduct research into understanding and protecting biodiversity. A commitment was made to restore 100 million hectares of land, and to achieve this 29 projects were set up between Colombian and UK research institutes and universities. 

Professor David Edwards from The University of Sheffield led the PARAMO project funded by NERC, with facilitation from ColombiaBio, an organisation set up to coordinate research between universities and Colombian ministries, research institutes and other stakeholders.

To ensure the PARAMO project has lasting impact, the researchers listened to the problems and needs of community leaders and activists and worked with them to find solutions to the challenges they face.