Latin American Protected Areas: Protected from Chemical Pollution?

IGNACIO A. RODRÍGUEZ-JORQUERA; PABLO A. SIROSKI; WINFRED ESPEJO; JORGE NIMPTSCH; PALOMA GUSSO CHOUERI; RODRIGO BRASIL CHOUERI; CLAUDIO A. MORAGA,; MIGUEL MORA; GURPAL TOOR

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management

ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Año: 2016

Protected areas are critically important means to preserve species and maintain natural ecosystems. However, the potential impacts of chemical pollution on protected areas are seldom mentioned in the scientific literature; in-depth assessments of how chemical contaminants may adversely affect the maintenance of species abundance, species survival, and ecosystem functions are scarce to non-existent. We review, as case studies, what is known about chemical contaminants and resulting pollution in four Latin American protected areas. To date, the focus of chemical pollution research inside protected areas has been primarily on the detection of contamination, typically limited to trace metals. Where management actions have occurred, they have been reactive rather than proactive. Protected areas established in wetlands are the most affected by chemical pollution. Based on these case studies, Latin American protected areas are not well safeguarded from chemical pollution, resulting in both challenges and opportunities to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems.