Challenges ahead for freshwater ecosystems in the Colombian Guiana Shield

Challenges freshwater ecosystems in Colombian Guiana

Abstract

The Guiana Shield contains multiple freshwater ecosystems which support a high species diversity. This ecoregion holds a stable landscape resulting from infrequent large-scale natural disturbances, which has favored biological adaptations and endemisms. However, the existence of aggressive activities in nearby areas is a warning for the future of the Colombian Guiana Shield, and this requires assembling evidence which might contribute to the conservation of the biodiversity of the region. We summarize information already available for the region and use observations from field and laboratory studies to characterize the environmental variables and freshwater biodiversity of the region. The Colombian part of the Guiana Shield is one of the best preserved of this ecoregion, because of the yet low human density and reduced impacts. Although still relatively pristine, this region is already experiencing high growth in farming and plantation of oil palm trees, which contributes to forest loss. Other threats include infrastructure development, small-scale mining, livestock and water contamination. We develop a typology of river systems in the Colombian Guaina Shield which might be useful for conservation. There is ample evidence of the uniqueness of freshwater biodiversity and the threats affecting its conservation in the region. We present a conceptual relationship between the drivers, pressures and impacts currently existing in the Colombian Guiana Shield. Growing environmental impacts and transformations ahead require preserving these systems as the necessary step to expand our knowledge on their diversity and functions. To minimize current or future impact necessarily requires involving local communities as well as the implementation of more strict policies, leading to a respectful development. Our recommendations could be of application for other areas in the Guiana Shield.