Trifinio Connectivity
Improving connectivity in the Trifinio-Fraternidad transboundary biosphere reserve
Paul Bobsin, M. Sc., Prof. Dr. Alexander Siegmund
The rapid fragmentation of Central American forests and the decline of interconnected natural areas are increasingly threatening biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and the livelihoods of local communities, particularly in the border region between Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. As part of the UNESCO project "Scaling Up Connectivity in the Trifinio-Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve", existing ecological corridors are being enhanced and new connectivity axes developed on the basis of spatial assessments, land use and cover change analyses and socio-ecological evaluations. Finally, three to four scenarios for landscape connectivity will be developed, which will be evaluated ecologically, socially and economically and prepared in a final report for local workshops and financial plans.
The number of protected and connected natural areas is declining worldwide. In Central America in particular, the loss of protected areas and the fragmentation of forest habitats is increasing rapidly. This development not only threatens the resilience of the ecosystem and biodiversity, but is also associated with the risk of species extinction. However, the livelihoods of local communities are also increasingly threatened by such developments in the future.
Against this backdrop, the restoration and improvement of landscape connectivity and the protection of intact socio-ecological systems are becoming increasingly important - not least in order to meet the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for 2050.
This is precisely where the UNESCO-coordinated project "Scaling Up Connectivity in the Trifinio-Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve" is taking action: In the Trifinio-Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve between Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, existing conservation corridors are to be functionally improved and complementary connectivity axes established. The first step is a spatial assessment, in which all relevant geodata is compiled and processed in close cooperation with UNESCO and local partners. This is followed by an analysis of land use and land cover change: freely available multispectral satellite images are used to create detailed maps for three to four time steps as well as an up-to-date forest typology map, validated by reference data and field inspections by local partners. Based on this, structural and functional connectivity metrics are calculated to assess the current performance of the ecological corridors in terms of key functions. In parallel, a geographical and socio-economic analysis of the design options for ecological corridors will be incorporated, taking into account land use conflicts and local development interests.
On the basis of this data, three to four alternative scenarios for landscape connectivity will be developed, compared in terms of their ecological effectiveness, social feasibility and economic viability and evaluated on a cost-benefit basis. All results will be compiled in a final report, which will serve as a basis for national and trinationally coordinated workshops as well as for the development of long-term financial plans.
Project duration: 01.07.2025 - 31.01.2026
Project coordination: UNESCO
Supported by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF)
