CATTLE RANCHING AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AS ALLIES IN SOUTH AMERICA’S FLOODED SAVANNAS

Authors

Almira Hoogesteijn, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPNFollow
Rafael Hoogesteijn, Northern Pantanal Campo GrandeFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 2010

Citation

Great Plains Research 20 (Spring 2010): 37-50

Comments

Copyright 2010 Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Used by permission.

Abstract

Cattle ranching in Latin America supports wildlife conservation. Ranching probably represents one of the few land uses in which we can advance conservation goals. The approximately 950,000 km2 of Bolivian, Brazilian, Paraguayan, Colombian, and Venezuelan savannas that are privately owned and dedicated to meat production provide a model for conservation programs. We present a geographic and historical description that covers several centuries and ends with descriptions of seven successful cattle ranches (three in the Venezuelan Llanos and four in the Brazilian Pantanal) where cattle ranching, ecotourism, and wildlife conservation coexist. These three activities support each other: tourism creates additional income for cattle ranchers while promoting protection of natural heritage and wildlife research.