Colombia’s tropical forests are important ecosystems that help ensure clean air and maintain systems of biodiversity—both in Colombia and around the world. These tropical forest ecosystems are home to thousands of unique animal and plant species, many of which are endangered.[i] Yet, increasingly, wildfires are threatening these natural resources.[ii]

This factsheet describes policy solutions that will help preserve Colombia’s tropical forests from wildfires and their underlying causes. It includes clear recommendations for policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders to mitigate wildfires and improve the health and biodiversity of Colombia’s forests. The factsheet is based on research led by a team at the National University of Colombia.

[i]  IUCN 2020. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2019-3. https:// www.iucnredlist.org  

[ii] Dolors Armenteras, María Constanza Meza Elizalde, Tania Marisol González, et al. Status of Fire Ecology Knowledge in Colombia: Summary of findings & applications, Colombia: 2019