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Ethnic-Led Forest Recovery and Conservation in Colombia: A 50-Year Evaluation Using Semi-Automatic Classification in the Tucurinca and Aracataca River Basins

Author

Listed:
  • Lina-María Molina-Parra

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 111611, Colombia)

  • Deysa-Katherine Pulido-Valenzuela

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 111611, Colombia)

  • Héctor-Javier Fuentes-López

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 111611, Colombia)

  • Daniel-David Leal-Lara

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 111611, Colombia
    Faculty of Engineering and Basic Sciences, Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores, Bogotá 111311, Colombia)

Abstract

Deforestation in Colombia, driven by armed conflict and illicit crops, triggered an environmental crisis, particularly in the Caribbean region, where forest loss in areas such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta degraded ecosystems, reduced carbon sequestration, and increased soil erosion, threatening biodiversity and local food security. In response, the Arhuaco Indigenous community implemented an ethnic territorial management system to restore degraded lands and safeguard their ancestral territory. This study evaluates the effectiveness of their efforts, supporting their call for territorial expansion by analyzing forest cover changes (1973–2023) in the Tucurinca and Aracataca river basins. Using Landsat imagery, remote sensing, and a maximum likelihood algorithm, we generated thematic maps and statistical vegetation change data, validated by a 91.4% accuracy rate (kappa coefficient and confusion matrices). Results demonstrate significant forest recovery, highlighting collective reforestation and Indigenous sustainable management as pivotal strategies for reversing deforestation in post-conflict scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Lina-María Molina-Parra & Deysa-Katherine Pulido-Valenzuela & Héctor-Javier Fuentes-López & Daniel-David Leal-Lara, 2025. "Ethnic-Led Forest Recovery and Conservation in Colombia: A 50-Year Evaluation Using Semi-Automatic Classification in the Tucurinca and Aracataca River Basins," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4650-:d:1658993
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vanegas-Cubillos, M. & Sylvester, J. & Villarino, E. & Pérez-Marulanda, L. & Ganzenmüller, R. & Löhr, K. & Bonatti, M. & Castro-Nunez, A., 2022. "Forest cover changes and public policy: A literature review for post-conflict Colombia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    2. Tin Ko Oo & Noppol Arunrat & Sukanya Sereenonchai & Achara Ussawarujikulchai & Uthai Chareonwong & Winai Nutmagul, 2022. "Comparing Four Machine Learning Algorithms for Land Cover Classification in Gold Mining: A Case Study of Kyaukpahto Gold Mine, Northern Myanmar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Andres Suarez & Paola Andrea Árias-Arévalo & Eliana Martínez-Mera, 2018. "Environmental sustainability in post-conflict countries: insights for rural Colombia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 997-1015, June.
    4. Zambrano-Cortés, Darío Gerardo & Behagel, Jelle Hendrik, 2023. "The political rationalities of governing deforestation in Colombia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Quiroga, Sonia & Suárez, Cristina & Hernanz, Virginia & Aguiño, José Evelio & Fernández-Manjarrés, Juan F., 2024. "Analysing post-conflict policies to enhance socio-ecological restoration among black communities in Southern Colombia: Cacao cropping as a win–win strategy," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
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