Bosque Mbaracayu, Paraguay

Description
The Mbaracaya Forest Nature Reserve (MFNR) consists of 64,405.7 hectares, located
in the eastern region of Paraguay near the Brazilian border, an area with small
landholdings and numerous cattle rancHng establishments in the Mbaracaya Range
(Karapa). In the east there are various properties, ranches and two indigenous
communities of different ethnic partialities, and in the south and east, there are
farms of varying sizes.
Mbaracaya is located within the humid subtropical forest of eastern Paraguay, part
of the Interior Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina and
eastern Paraguay. It is the largest continuous remnant of the IAF in Paraguay. The
annual average temperature is between 21'C to 22C, and the total annual
precipitation is 1,800 mm. The Mbaracaya Range runs northeast/southeast, crossing
the northeastern corner of the Reserve. This area is composed of numerous small,
but deep, valleys with recurrent waterfalls creating hundreds of small tributaries
towards the Jejui River basin.
Different forest types cover almost 88% of the Reserve and the remainder consists
of wetlands, pasture lands, lagoons, rivers and Cerrado vegetation. The forest is
divided in three different types: tall, medium and low. The tall forest generally has a
significant amount of humidity, with few areas containing little or no amount of
water. Many tall canopy trees are good quality lumber and can measure up to 30-35
meters. The low forests vary; some are quite far from the watercourses while others
are periodically or almost permanently flooded. The Riparian forest borders the
Jejui-mi River and is susceptible to periodic floods that can be very severe after days
of intense rain.
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Geography
The 'Bosque Mbaracay' Biosphere Reserve, is the first one designated in Paraguay.
It corresponds to a hotspot of biodiversity comprise in the continental part of the
Mata Atlnticas biologic corridor. It is a tropical humid forest ecosystem type, which
includes low altitude, medium altitude and inundated Atlantic semi-deciduous
forests and savannas with palm trees, dry forests, tropical savannah and
pasturelands. More than 16,000 people (2000), including indigenous and local
peasants, live in the buffer zone, engaged in agriculture, hunting, logging and
fishing, tourism and commerce activities. Only 6% of the population has access to
potable water services. In the transition area more than 96,800 inhabitants live in
urban and industrial areas and develop forest exploitation of native forest, regulated
by the provincial authorities. The management and administration of the biosphere
reserve is undertaken by a private foundation. The GEF-World Bank project for

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in Mbaracay is being developed in

the Biosphere Reserve since February 2003. Local populations have been involved
in the biosphere reserve project from the start and they are also involved in
interdisciplinary research projects on the conservation of natural areas and
resources. Local awareness programmes have also been developed to promote
management practices for sustainable use of natural resources such as agroforestry, enrichment of degraded forests, establishment of subsistence cultivation,
capacity building, etc.
http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?
code=PAR+01&mode=all
Ways of protecting place
In 1988, 0.13% of Eastern Paraguay was under the national protected area system.
The Conservation Data Center (CDC) of Paraguay with support of The (U.S.) Nature
Conservancy identified 23 potential areas for conservation in six ecoregions, with
the Mbaracay Wildlands figuring as a priority site (CDC-Paraguay 1990). Acting on
the CDC-Paraguay recommendations, Paraguay's Ministerio de Agricultura y
Ganadera (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock) decreed five new National Parks,
one new wildlife refuge and greatly expanded protected areas in Eastern Paraguay.
As a result, lands in the national protected area system have increased to c. 1.2%
(2000 km) of Eastern Paraguay.
The Fundacin Moiss Bertoni is developing a system of private reserves in
Paraguay. In 1991 the Conservancy and Fundacin agreed to purchase the
Mbaracay land (with funding from private sources and USAID) from the
International Finance Corporation (for US$2 million). This World Bank subsidiary was
acting under its new conservation policy, and controlled the land because a forestry
company in 1979 defaulted on a loan (FMB and TNC 1991; Homer 1992). The
property has been made a patrimony of the Fundacin Mbaracay, which holds title
and is in charge of managing the reserve. The Mbaracay Reserve has been
recognized by the Paraguayan government, and has received national media
attention and nearby community support.
As a priority site selected for the USAID-supported Parks in Peril Program, the
Fundacin Bertoni working with TNC has been able to begin implementing the
management programme. The 1989-1990 inventory (CDC-Paraguay 1991)
established the baseline information used for managing the reserve. Land easement
or the full purchase of intact forested areas as buffer zones will add effectiveness to
the system of protection. Detailed ecological studies in several forest remnants in
the adjacent eastern Alto Paran Department provide some insights into forest
dynamics and life histories of many species in the Mbaracay Reserve (Stutz de
Ortega 1986, 1987). The reserve's future as a sanctuary in eastern Paraguay may
be bright.

http://botany.si.edu/projects/cpd/sa/sa18.htm
Economy
At present there are two ethnic groups settled near the Mbaracay Reserve, the
Ach and the Guaran (FMB 1989). The traditionally nomadic Ach lived in the
eastern forests as hunters and gatherers until 1975-1979. They are slowly adapting
to the life of small farmers, although they still need the remnant forests' fauna and
fruits for an adequate diet (Homer 1992). The Guaran survive on subsistence
farming.
They go to the reserve to collect yerba-mate leaves and less often to hunt. The
Fundacin Moiss Bertoni and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have developed a
land management programme for the indigenous peoples to continue their
traditional uses of the Mbaracay forests (FMB and TNC 1991).
These forests protect the Jeju watershed (picture). The Mbaracay Reserve is the
source for various tributaries of the Jeju-m River, which later as the Jeju-Gauz
River joins the Paraguay River. Designed to protect one of the few remaining
subtropical moist forests in Eastern Paraguay, the Mbaracay Reserve has an
important role as well in securing diverse habitats for many species of the regional
fauna, including threatened species and some of the prominent mammals and birds
of Paraguay such as jaguar, ocelot, margay, bush dog, tapir, giant armadillo, king
vulture, macaw, bare-throated bellbird, bare-faced curassow and burrito (CDCParaguay 1991).
The general region has important areas of evergreen humid forest ("Atlantic" forest)
and remnant Araucaria forest which support a number of birds that have restricted
ranges - including the canebrake groundcreeper (Clibanornis dendrocolaptes) and
creamy-bellied gnatcatcher (Polioptila lactea), or that are threatened. The region is
important for the following five threatened birds: black-fronted piping-guan (Pipile
jacutinga), vinaceous amazon (Amazona vinacea), helmeted woodpecker
(Dryocopus galeatus), So Paulo tyrannulet (Phylloscartes paulistus) and russetwinged spadebill (Platyrinchus leucoryphus).
Recreational Activities
Canoeing: Canoe rides are offered in which you may enjoy a relaxing trip and at
the same time discover a variety of landscapes along the way.
Bike-riding: You may also take a ride on roads surrounded by forest and enjoy
nature on two wheels.
Karap Falls: This is a spectacular waterfall with a height of 40 m, and is one of
the greatest tourist attractions offered by the Mbaracay Forest Nature Reserve.
There is also a look-out from which it is possible to see the mountain range of the
same name that is part of the natural divide between Paraguay and Brazil.
Bruno Chevugui: The most adventurous can climb the 23 metres to the Mirador

Bruno Chevugui; an observation platform located up a superb native tree

specimen. From the observation platform you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic
view over the Mbaracay Forest.
Visit to the Mbaracay Educational Center: An educational entity located in the
Reserve, it is a learning center for young women 14 to 20 years old that offers a
technical high-school diploma in environmental science and seeks to transform
peasants and indigenous into leaders of sustainable development. Here you can
carry out activities related to agroecological farming accompanied by students from
the Center.
Bird-watching and identifying wild animal tracks: In the Reserve you will have
a fantastic opportunity to watch birds that are exclusive to the Alto Paran Atlantic
Forest. Examples are our national bird, the pjaro campana (bell bird),
toucan,yvyjau (nightjar), and pjaro carpintero (woodpecker). Along the way, it will
also be possible to find and identify the tracks of wild animals that live in the
Reserve, such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs and armadillos.
Lagunita:is an excellent place where normally alligators can be seen depending on
the presence of water. Is also an ideal location to gaze many species of birds. It is
located 13 kilometers from the administrative reception.
Stars gazing: On a clear night you can see the stars and learn more about them.
Hiking: You can enjoy nature and fresh air by hiking in the forest on
the Aguarai,Tierra de Nios and Moroti trails. You can hear the song of the pjaro
campana, or Bellbird, our national bird whose range is limited to the Alto Paran
Atlantic Forest.
Arroyo Moroti: .Located 16 kilometers from the administrative reception of which
3 kilometers you walk into a forest trail leading to the clear waters of Arroyo Moroti.
On a lucky day, you might be able to find a Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) or Marsh Deer
(Blastocerus dichotomus) or their footprints.
Aguara u Cerrado: The Aguara u cerrado, with about 6,000 hectares, is a
representative sample of this unique ecosystem, making it a priority area for the
conservation of diverse species of flora and fauna.