Tomo River Report card

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Tomo River Report card

2016 O

M TO

ER

RIV

Risk s wa to qua ter lity

W a & ter de s m up an pl d y

tem sys es Ecoervic s

quency

Terres connec trial tivity

ATE

R

EC S & L OSYSTE M S A N D SC APE

N lan atur d c al ov er

Water ex quality ind

W

T

H

T

P CU E

T/ EN CE AN

N HEAL

Fire fre

r ve s Ri phin l do

A-

SI

B

A

TY

r Rive ins h p l do

O RI VE OM

R

Biodiversity Knowledge Gap Index

SI

The Tomo River Basin received an overall A- grade (84%), the second highest of all the sub-basins within the Colombian portion of Orinoco River Basin. Of the eight indicators assessed, all were excellent (>80%) with the exception of ecosystem services (63%) and the human nutrition (53%). These lower scores are likely due to very poor soil fertility and changes in indigenous nomadic traditions. A noteworthy score of 100% was achieved for risk to water quality, and mining in sensitive ecosystems which is a positive indication that this basin is experiencing low pressures. There is, however, a need to know more. There are currently no IDEAM National Network Monitoring water quality sites making the water quality index unavailable for this sub-basin. Additionally, no river dolphin data was available for this version of the report card, but it is anticipated that new information on river dolphin abundance will become available for future report cards.

MA N GOV AGE ER M N

E& PL E O TUR L

BIO DIVER

Tomo River has the second highest score in the Orinoco River Basin

an m ion Hu trit nu

The Tomo River originates in the Altillanura and stretches 902 km in length before flowing into the Orinoco near the Tuparro River. The basin includes several ecosystems dominated by seasonal savannas, but showcases distinctive flooded gallery forests and flooded savannas. Much of the Tomo River Basin is protected within Tuparro National Park, but increasingly threats from exploitation of natural resources and land ownership conflicts are becoming more apparent.

M in ec sen ing os sit in ys ive te m s

Characteristics of the Tomo River Basin

What do the scores mean?

a b

80–100% 60–80%

c d

40–60% 20–40%

f

0–20% no data

Tomo River fisheries tell a story of opportunity and peril

© He

inz St

al d

er

-W

W

F

Each year, during the wet season, the level of the Tomo River rises, and thousands of migratory fish arrive and spawn. During the dry season, the large peacock bass takes its place as the predominant fish species in the river. This richness of fish, however, has given rise to illegal fishing which is currently the main threat to the river. The Tomo River passes through the Tuparro National Park and the Tuparro Biosphere Reserve where commercial fishing is prohibited. Despite the best efforts of park rangers from the National Park Office to control and police illegal fishing, it is difficult to stop fishermen from entering the Park, especially those from Venezuela who don’t recognize fishing bans. Illegal fishermen use unsustainable fishing methods which can capture up to 40 tons of fish per day from the river. This situation poses a huge challenge for the protection and conservation of fish in the Tomo river. These impacts, in turn, greatly affect the six indigenous communities that live in the area and depend on the river’s fish as their primary food source. © Hein z St

ald er -

W

W

A need to know more The extensive biological diversity found in the basin demands significant investments in biodiversity assessments and monitoring to supplement important yet fragmented biodiversity records. Additionally, agricultural and livestock certification information is currently inconsistent throughout the region and more information is needed on the topics of fisheries, river-related cultural values, and the state of water resources in protected areas in order to include related indicators in subsequent report cards.

F

VALUES B

FUTURE INDICATORS

IODIVERSITY

Q

WATER L I TY INDE A U

X

PEOPLE & CUL TURE

S N

WATER

The Tomo River is part of Tuparro National Park and the Tuparro Biosphere Reserve.

FL O R A CHNESS

RI

ULTUR R IC A AG T I F ICAT IO L R

CE

N AG E M E N T / MA ERNA NCE V O G

M M AL MA CHNESS RI

D I G EN O U IN AREAS S

ILLEGAL TAKE

RI

FISH CHNESS

R I V ER LPHINS DO