The State of Biodiversity in Colombia

The State of Biodiversity in Colombia: Challenges and Conservation Efforts

Colombia, recognized as the second most biodiverse country globally, hosts approximately 10% of the world’s species across its vast array of ecosystems23. From the páramos supplying freshwater to the dense Amazon rainforests, the nation’s ecological wealth is unparalleled, yet increasingly imperiled. Recent reports reveal a surge in deforestation, a growing list of threatened species, and systemic challenges in conservation governance. While Colombia has launched ambitious policies like the Biodiversity Action Plan 2030 and forged international partnerships, structural threats—including organized crime, resource extraction, and climate change—continue to undermine progress. This report examines Colombia’s biodiversity status, evaluates conservation strategies, and identifies critical gaps in protecting its natural heritage.

Colombia’s Biodiversity Significance

Global Rankings and Endemic Species

Colombia’s biodiversity is a cornerstone of global ecological health. The country leads the world in orchid, bird, and butterfly diversity, with over 63,000 registered species, 14% of which are endemic3. Its freshwater fish and amphibian populations rank second globally, while palm and reptile species hold third place3. The Andean region, particularly the páramos, supports unique flora like the Quindío wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense) and frailejón de Cabrera (Espeletia cabrerensis), both now critically endangered due to habitat fragmentation4. Marine ecosystems, such as the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor (CMAR), harbor endemic marine life, including the endangered Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis)45.

Ecosystem Services and Economic Value

Biodiversity underpins Colombia’s economy, contributing 3% to GDP through sectors like ecotourism, agriculture, and bioprospecting1. The páramos alone provide water for 70% of the population, while mangrove forests act as blue carbon sinks, sequestering 3–5 times more carbon than terrestrial forests27. However, 50% of ecosystems face critical degradation from oil extraction, mining, and urban expansion, jeopardizing these services34.

Threats to Biodiversity

Deforestation and Land Use Change

Deforestation remains the foremost threat, with 5.4 million hectares lost since the early 2000s2. In 2024, deforestation surged by 35%, reaching 1,070 km², driven by medium-scale illegal operations linked to organized crime in the Amazon6. Protected areas like Tinigua and Sierra de La Macarena National Parks have lost over 42,000 and 25,000 hectares, respectively, to cattle ranching and illicit crops7. This destruction fragments habitats, endangering species such as the Magdalena River turtle (Podocnemis lewyana), now critically endangered4.

Illegal Exploitation and Climate Pressures

Illegal mining and logging degrade ecosystems while introducing invasive species like tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which disrupt aquatic food chains7. Climate change exacerbates these pressures: rising temperatures threaten high-altitude species like the Harlequin Toad (Atelopus varius), with 93.8% of evaluated amphibians at risk of extinction4. Coastal erosion and coral bleaching further stress marine biodiversity, reducing fish stocks vital for local communities5.

Conservation Strategies and Policy Frameworks

The Biodiversity Action Plan 2030

Colombia’s six-goal Action Plan aims to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 through participatory land-use planning, sustainable production models, and enhanced governance1. Key targets include:

1. Participatory Planning: Integrating 19 million hectares of degraded land into management plans with climate adaptation criteria.

2. Sustainable Production: Converting 5 million hectares to regenerative agriculture to restore ecosystem functionality.

3. Biodiversity Economy: Generating 522,000 jobs via sustainable biotrade and ecotourism.

4. Combating Informality: Legalizing 50% of biodiversity-derived products in high-priority regions.

5. Protected Area Expansion: Conserving 34% of terrestrial/marine areas through Indigenous and Afro-descendant territories.

6. Sustainable Finance: Mobilizing long-term funding for conservation1.

International and Regional Collaboration

The 2024 pact with Costa Rica establishes a fund to protect the Chocó Biogeographic Region, a Pacific corridor spanning Panama to Peru5. This initiative prioritizes Indigenous stewardship and combats illegal mining through community-led monitoring. Additionally, Colombia champions the CMAR corridor, collaborating with Ecuador and Panama to safeguard migratory routes for sharks and sea turtles5.

Challenges in Implementation

Governance and Financial Gaps

Despite progress, Colombia’s National Natural Parks Agency (PNNC) faces a $15 million annual shortfall for park management, limiting anti-deforestation patrols and invasive species control7. Only 54% of protected areas maintain ecological connectivity, hindering species migration and climate adaptation7. Corruption and weak enforcement further enable illegal activities: 50% of environmental crimes in parks involve collusion with local officials67.

Socioeconomic Conflicts

Land-use disputes between conservationists and rural communities persist. For instance, coca cultivation in Chiribiquete National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—reflects broader tensions over livelihoods versus preservation7. The Action Plan’s emphasis on “biodiversity economy” seeks to address this by promoting sustainable alternatives, yet scaling these models remains slow14.

Recent Developments and Emerging Risks

Updated Threatened Species List

In 2024, Colombia’s Environment Ministry added 800 species to its threatened list, totaling 2,103 taxa. Critically endangered species now include the Cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) and mountain papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens), both victims of habitat loss4. The list’s expansion underscores the urgent need for targeted recovery programs, yet only 12% of listed species have active conservation plans4.

Deforestation Trends Post-COP16

The 35% deforestation surge in 2024 highlights setbacks following COP16, where Colombia pledged to halve forest loss by 20256. Organized crime syndicates, exploiting weak governance, now control 60% of illegal logging in the Amazon, using advanced machinery to clear larger tracts undetected6. This trend threatens Colombia’s ability to meet its National Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Conclusion

Colombia’s biodiversity stands at a crossroads. While policy frameworks like the Action Plan 2030 and international partnerships mark significant strides, systemic challenges—deforestation, funding gaps, and governance failures—demand urgent redress. Key recommendations include:

• Strengthening Financial Mechanisms: Implementing biodiversity credits and leveraging debt-for-nature swaps to close funding gaps.

• Enhancing Law Enforcement: Deploying satellite monitoring and community watchdogs to combat illegal activities in protected areas.

• Scaling Community-Led Conservation: Formalizing Indigenous land rights and integrating traditional knowledge into park management.

• Prioritizing Connectivity: Establishing biological corridors between protected areas to facilitate species migration.

As Colombia prepares to update its NDCs in 2025, aligning climate and biodiversity agendas will be critical. The nation’s ecological wealth, a global heritage, hinges on transformative action to reconcile conservation with equitable development.

Citations:

1. https://www.cop16colombia.com/es/en/consulta-ciudadana-plan-biodiversidad/

2. https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAID_Biodiversity_Conservation_10.9.2019.pdf

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity_of_Colombia

4. https://news.mongabay.com/2024/02/colombia-adds-hundreds-of-species-to-list-of-threatened-flora-and-fauna/

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9. https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=co

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11. https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/10/29/as13-biodiversity-and-peace-colombias-role-in-shaping-conservation-efforts

12. https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/articles/a-look-at-the-natural-world-of-colombia

13. https://www.wri.org/news/statement-un-biodiversity-summit-cop16-kicks-colombia

14. https://conexionpuma.org/blog/en-colombia-1-302-especies-tienen-algun-grado-de-amenaza/

15. https://www.iisd.org/inside-cop-16

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17. https://dicf.unepgrid.ch/colombia/biodiversity

18. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/endangered-mammals-of-colombia.html

19. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/protect-water-and-land/land-and-water-stories/biodiversity-global-conference/

20. https://www.cbd.int/article/colombia-host-cop16

21. https://partnershipsforforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Unlocking-Natures-value-in-Colombia.pdf

22. https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/biodiversity-1

23. https://animalia.bio/lists/country/endangered-species-of-colombia

24. https://co.chm-cbd.net

25. https://www.sei.org/publications/policy-incoherence-deforestation-colombia/

26. https://www.cbd.int/article/agreement-reached-cop-16

27. https://theconversation.com/colombia-faces-challenge-to-build-peace-without-sacrificing-its-famed-biodiversity-82720

28. https://obis.org/2024/12/26/Living-data-2025-call-for-sessions/

29. https://www.wwf.org.co/en/?324263%2FThe-Living-Colombia-Report-a-new-tool-for-conservation-in-a-megadiverse-country

30. https://www.livingdata2025.com

31. https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/colombia/091-broken-canopy-deforestation-and-conflict-colombia

32. https://reporte.humboldt.org.co/biodiversity/2016/cap2/204/index.html

33. https://www.cbd.int/article/reconvene-cop16-rome-2024