Colombia - Country Profile

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Colombia is listed as one of the world’s “megadiverse” countries, hosting close to 14% of the planet’s biodiversity. Colombia possesses a rich complexity of ecological, climatic, biological and ecosystem components. The country counts 35,000 vascular plants, 467 mammal species, 1,768 bird species, 609 amphibian species and 475 reptile species... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Colombia, with the establishment of the National Nature Parks System has consolidated the conservation of more than 10 million acres, corresponding to 10% of the national territory. All ecosystems are represented within this protected area network, where dry forests and savannahs are the least abundant.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The primary terrestrial biomes in Colombia have undergone several changes. The areas covered by each type of biome are distributed as follows: 378,000 ha humid tropical forest, 1,200 ha of dry and sub-humid tropical forest, 9,500 ha desert and thicket, 45,000 ha Andean forest, 14,000 ha Amazonian savannahs, 1,000 ha Caribbean savannahs, and 3,300 ha of mangrove forests... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The National Biodiversity Policy looks to manage biodiversity resources considering them as a key element for the present and future sustainable development of Colombia. Biological diversity is made up of tangible components such as molecules, genes and species populations and communities, grasping entire ecosystems and landscape scenarios... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Colombia has incorporated the millennium development goals into various plans, programmes and strategies. One of the main goals established by regional environmental authorities is to reinstate organic agriculture systems. For example, the Triennial Action Plan 2004-2006 of the Valle del Cauca Environmental regional Authority has set as goals: the reversion towards organic agriculture on at least 100 ha; the operation of agro-ecological models on 210 ha of agricultural areas; and the establishment and operation of agro-ecological plantations on 64 ha... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The National Development Plan proposed as one of its objectives the consolidation of a National Network of Protected Areas, which is to be implemented through six regional strategies. Some of the more specific goals of this strategy include: creation of 2 new protected areas within the National Natural Park System (NNPS); formulation of 14 management plans for areas already established within the NNPS; development of a system of georeferenced information for 12 protected areas; coordination of a National Environmental Policy for the sustainable use of marine resources as well as coastal and island ecosystems; and formulation and establishment of a National Plan of Action for Combating Desertification and an Ecosystem Management Plan for Arid Areas of Colombia... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The first major project was the implementation of a project dealing with capacity building and information processes for the effective implementation of Article 8(j) pertaining to the protection of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. This initiative was coordinated by the Office of International Affairs of the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

S.E. Dra. Patti Londoño Jaramillo	CBD Primary NFP
Mr. Gonzalo Andrade	GTI NFP
Dr. Julia Miranda Londoño	Protected Areas NFP
Mr. Alberto Gomez Mejia	GSPC NFP
Ms. Ángela M. Suárez-Mayorga	CHM Informal Advisory Committee
Doctora Brigitte Baptiste	CHM NFP
Dr. Adriana Soto Carreño	SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP (ONLY)

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

S.E. Dra. Patti Londoño Jaramillo	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
José Leonardo Bocanegra Silva	BCH NFP