Project objectives

• Strengthening local/national capacity for applied biodiversity research;
• Developing and disseminating technology for habitat restoration to protect biodiversity and combat desertification;
• Increasing understanding of dry forest ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity;
• Evaluating the capacity for increased production of native forest products (Prosopis pod flour and syrup) as sustainable economic options for forest use, and promoting wider uptake;
• Protecting biodiversity of remaining native forest relics by buffering with restored habitats;
• Raising awareness of the importance of south coast dry forests and associated biodiversity, resource values, threats and management strategies.
• Supporting the establishment of protected areas in remaining fragments of native dry forest ecosystems

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Project activities

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Increased understanding and awareness of the biodiversity and importance of fragmented Prosopis woodlands, and increased national/local capacity for biodiversity research, will be achieved through a programme of research and dissemination/ interpretation including inventory, mapping, monitoring, and ecological studies. This will be undertaken by specialists and undergraduate/postgraduate students from local/ national universities, supported by Kew expertise, with the involvement of local community members. The research process will involve a significant training element, contributing to the development of Peru's research capacity for biodiversity research. Results will be disseminated through local educational events and materials, scientific papers, the project website and international databases.

Increased capacity for habitat restoration and desertification control will be achieved through experimental habitat restoration. Trial sites have been identified and agreements reached with the landowners. The project nursery will propagate Prosopis trees and other native dry forest species for use in restoration trials. Workshops run by the Millennium Seed Bank Project (Kew) and MOL will provide training for germination/propagation techniques and seed storage. The habitat restoration manual (in Spanish), together with journal and online publications, will provide significant and novel contributions towards local/national capacity for biodiversity and habitat restoration. Sites for restoration have been selected to maximise awareness-raising and education for sustainable use and conservation of dry forest biodiversity. Four sites have been selected: two in the Ica region and two in the Nasca watersheds.

Protection of remaining fragments of Prosopis woodland and preservation of ancient Prosopis landraces will be achieved by establishing restoration areas as buffer zones around the largest surviving area of native woodland (Nasca). The paperwork and management plan for a Concession for Conservation are presently being prepared for this (state-owned) area, and the project will contribute to the ratification process. The project had been designed to encourage and propagate the concept of wildlife corridor regeneration through private farms. The positive outcomes of decreased desertification, soil conservation, increased biocontrol and sustainable forest use have been discussed with landowners, who are keen to put into practice the techniques developed during the project. Undergraduates from the University of Ica will survey ancient Prosopis 'heritage trees' in the area, which will be marked with plaques (endorsed by councils, schools, haciendas and local individuals) and their seeds propagated in the project nursery.

By evaluating and promoting development of economically viable, sustainable forest products from the project area the project will have an impact both on livelihoods and forest management practices. This work will be undertaken by local community members, trained in relevant techniques.

Targeted market research, conducted by Samaca Products, will inform the development of market development strategies. Results of these trials will be disseminated via a practical, Spanish-language Huarango production manual, as well as workshops and events.

Additional activities such as the annual Huarango festival (organised by Escuela Libre de Puerto Huamani and Asociación Cultural Nasca), together with radio shows, newspaper articles, posters, leaflets, workshops and other awareness raising events, form a crucial part of the dissemination strategy, complementing the practical manuals and scientific outputs. Wider, long-term uptake of the lessons, experiences and procedures derived from the Project will be promoted through a range of portals including the DarwinNet and project websites.

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