RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Areas of petroleum exploration in the upper Amazon basin of Ecuador have a high diversity of fauna, which is attracted to and depends on dispersed microhabitats such as clay licks (geophagy), nesting areas, animal dens, watering and bathing holes, fruiting trees and leave-cutter ant and termite nests for feeding, watering, and reproduction. Environmental control of geophysical acquisition activities in and near these sensitive microhabitats historically has not been effective. Seismic lines, heliports, camps and DZs have been inadvertently constructed within or near these microhabitats by survey and cutting crews resulting in partial destruction of the habitat, disturbance and consequent flight of fauna, and post-project hunting by locals. Andes Petroleum Ecuador Ltd., Walsh and biologists from Ecuadorian universities developed and executed a plan for offsets to protect these biologically sensitive areas (BSAs) in Yasuni National Park before and during the execution of a seismic campaign. Criteria was developed by biologists to define these BSAs in the field based on size of BSA, number and abundance of fauna species using the BSA, and functional importance to each species. No human entry buffers were established for each BSA. Procedures were established for early identification of BSAs so that biologists working with the survey crews could direct line cutting and other clearing activities outside the buffer areas prior to intervention. Ecuador biologists were effectively incorporated into decision-making process in the field. The seismic biological team identified and protected 49 BSAs (primarily clay licks and bathing areas) during a seismic campaign in 165 km2 of mature rainforest in 2006. The baseline information on location and characteristics of BSAs is providing an important resource for university research. Technical staff and contractors from the petroleum company along with biologists from universities and foundations were brought together in making important real time design decisionsin the field. This participatory biodiversity management system is a model for protection of BSAs in other high sensitivity rainforest.
Introduction
Areas of petroleum exploration in the upper Amazon basin of Ecuador have very high diversity of flora and fauna. Biologists have measured 2,274 species of trees, 567 species of birds, 173 species of mammals, 105 species of amphibians, 83 species of reptiles, 382 species of fish, and over 100,000 species of insects in the relatively restricted area of 982,000 hectares of Yasuni National Park. This tropical fauna depends on conservation of the general habitat, but particularly on high functional value microhabitats that provide food, water, minerals, and reproduction areas. These microhabitats or Biologically Sensitive Areas (BSAs) include clay licks, nesting areas, animal dens, watering holes, fruiting trees and leave cutter ant or termite nests.