In a productive biome like the Pampa, where almost 100% of the land is private, it is essential that an effective conservation strategy seeks to integrate regional economic development and biodiversity maintenance.
It was with this integration goal in mind that BirdLife International, through its partner in Brazil (SAVE Brasil) and together with the other three countries sharing the biome (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), created in 2005 the Alianza del Pastizal (Grasslands Alliance). Through a certification program, Alianza del Pastizal evaluates rural properties committing to the requirements established in its protocol, whose main criterion is that the property holds a minimum of 50% of native grasslands within its limits. Currently, in Brazil alone, Alianza gathers 243 participating properties in the initiative, conserving an area of 139,000 hectares of the biome on private land.
Taking advantage of the unique characteristics of the Pampa biome, the Alianza philosophy is based on the concept of “conserving by producing” and promotes livestock production systems that are technically compatible with biodiversity conservation and economically competitive. In terms of climate change, recent studies have shown that these pastoral systems based on native grasslands capture large amounts of atmospheric carbon, resulting, in many cases, in neutral or negative carbon balances.
The main tools developed by Alianza del Pastizal to respond to this important challenge of integrating conservation and production include the dissemination of good grassland management practices and training of technicians for a direct assistance to producers. These actions take place through field days and demonstration units on Alianza certified properties that offer a model for native grasslands management.
Alianza seeks economic incentives for producers who preserve their native grasslands:
- “Bird-friendly “ seal: a quality seal has allowed for the creation of a bonus program for meat from Alianza certified farms. The producer receives a bonus of up to 2% per animal marketed. Alianza del Pastizal certified meat is already available in a large supermarket chain in Brazil and allows consumers to identify a product contributing to the conservation of native grasslands and their associated biodiversity.
- Financial incentives through a blended finance model: as a result of a partnership with Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento do Extremos Sul (BRDE - Extreme South Regional Development Bank) and the Brazilian Fund for Biodiversity (Funbio), a pilot initiative was developed to provide a special credit line aimed at implementing best practices for the management of native grasslands, which included bank financing for investments in farms combined with a non-refundable financial incentive of up to 10% of the loan amount.
- Auctions: Alianza del Pastizal carries out exclusive auctions for the cattle produced in Alianza certified properties, opening an important market line for producers, who benefit from higher market values than in the traditional auctions of the region. Of the total amount sold, 2.5% are reverted to Alianza, representing an important source of income for the maintenance and sustainability of the project.
In parallel, biodiversity monitoring is carried out using birds as a biological indicator. A total of 49 certified properties already had their birds evaluated with a list of 266 species, of which 80 rural and 13 globally threatened with extinction.
These results attest to the success of Alianza del Pastizal in responding to the challenge of integrating rural production and biodiversity conservation in the Pampa biome within a sustainable model where economic gains are directly aligned and depend on the maintenance of native grasslands.
For more information, watch the video:
Integrating birds and production
About the author
Pedro F. Develey, Biologist, graduated from the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), where he also concluded a M.Sc. and Ph.D. on bird ecology. Currently works as Executive Director for BirdLife/SAVE Brasil. He has published scientific and dissemination papers in national and international magazines, as well as book chapters on bird ecology and conservation. He also worked as the President of the Ornithological Brazilian Society (SBO) in 2016 and 2017.
SAVE Brazil
The Sociedade para a Conservação das Aves do Brasil - SAVE Brasil (Society for the Conservation of Birds in Brazil) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and nature. Following a participatory approach, we work together with governments, civil society organizations, universities, business and communities, to develop and implement strategies, programmes and actions that contribute to a better and healthier planet for animals, plants and people. SAVE Brasil is an official BirdLife International partner in Brazil.
