The Güisayote Biological Reserve, phase II

The project area is located in the south eastern part of Honduras, near the border with Guatemala and El Salvador. The 8 plots to be bought are located in the core zone of the Güisayote Biological Reserve and border the plots that were purchased with an earlier contribution from SPN (243 ha.). The Güisayote Biological Reserve is home to the amphibian Leptodactylus silvanimbus, which is listed as critically endangered because its area of occupancy is probably less than 10 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, and the extent of its habitat and the number of mature individuals, in Honduras is declining. The area is also an important water source for the surrounding communities. Threats to the area include illegal extraction of plants, timber and animals, agricultural expansion, contamination of soils and water, infrastructure development, possible development of mining and forest fires. Once purchased, ownership of the plots will be transferred to the municipalities La Labor, Sinuapa and San Francisco del Valle. The previous plots bought with funds from SPN were also transferred to the municipalities, and AESMO has found this to be an excellent way to engage the municipalities in the management of the area and to stimulate it to take its responsibilities in the area of nature conservation. The proposal mentions PES as a possible means of financing for the area, AESMO is currently implementing a pilot project on payments for ecosystem services, funded by FAO.