Restoring the Atlantic Forest for People and Nature

Misiones province has lost almost half of its original forest cover and the remaining core areas of the Atlantic Forest are habitat for the endangered Jaguar. By spatial modelling, the Optimal Landscape for Jaguar Conservation (POCY) has been defined for Misiones. Within this Optimal Landscape, degraded buffer areas, primary and secondary corridors have been identified with maximum priority for restoration to improve connectivity between core areas. The area between Cruce Caballero Provincial Park and Yabotí Biosphere Reserve was identified as top priority, being defined as the intervention landscape for this 3-year proposal. Therefore, this project will focus on these objectives and strategies: 1) Restoration interventions By 2025 at least 372ha within Cruce Caballero-Yabotí sustainable production and connectivity area are under Forest Landscape Restoration process. 1.1. Start FLR process with 93 rural families (372ha), including active restoration (93ha tree planting in clear cut areas), assisted natural regeneration (186ha enrichment plantation) and agroforestry systems (93ha) 2) Livelihoods improvements By 2025, 93 rural families within the Cruce Caballero-Yabotí sustainable production and connectivity area improve their water access and receive support for a productive activity, and an updated analysis regarding the potential market for yerba mate produced in agroforestry systems is available. 2.1. Water: Support on natural springs upgrading, enhancements in the distribution system or development of safe storages 2.2. Productive Activity: Contribute with inputs for the improvement of a productive activity, that each family selects, to obtain a better management of the farm 2.3. Marketable AFS products: Diagnosis of opportunities and needs to strengthen the value chain of yerba mate produced in agroforestry systems 2.4. Marketable AFS products: Analyze business opportunities to strengthen the value chain of yerba mate produced in agroforestry systems