Site selection

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13 candidate sites
Four sites chosen in discussion with local partners:
Cover the forest transition curve
Representative of main land use and forest types in the landscape
Presence of partners in the site
Security and accessibility
Forest cover
Tuma-La Dalia, Nicaragua
Fragmented landscape with low forest cover
Land use: basic grain production, coffee agroforestry and cattle ranching
Farm sizes approximately 0.5 ha–300 ha, most commonly smallholders with individual private land tenure
Good accessibility
Part of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) key territory
Very high population density >250 persons/km2 (Center for International Earth. Science Information Network [CIESIN] estimates for 2010)
Columbus, Nicaragua
Part of the Tasba-Pry indigenous territory (Miskitu indigenous reserve)
High percentage of non-indigenous settlers: 50% in the area. This is a source of conflict
Indigenous communities, recognized by the government, communal land
Settlers – individual private land tenure
Forest in recovery phase from a large event disturbance: Hurricane Felix in 2007
Migratory agriculture and livestock encroachment in tropical forest – particularly after Felix
Very low population density of 1-5 persons/km2 (CIESIN estimates for 2010)
Rio Blanco, Honduras
Main land use: pasture – cattle ranching and basic grain production
Small pockets of forest remnants (mostly along rivers)
A massive conversion from forest to cattle ranching started in the 1980s
Located between three protected areas (Patuca, Sierra de Agalta and Tawahka National Park)
Low population density, 5-25 persons/km2 (CIESIN estimates for 2010)
Rio Platano, Honduras
Still largely covered by primary forests (in mountainous areas within reserves)
Reserve land belongs to the government
Cattle ranching in fertile valleys, where population settle, managed as private land tenure (even within national territories)
People share agricultural activities and forest management (concessions) as sources of livelihood
Home to several indigenous groups within the reserve. Rights over land not recognized by the government
Low population density, 5-25 persons/km2 (CIESIN estimates for 2010)
Security issues – drug trafficking and land grabbing

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