Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of the Estuary of the River Rancheria (La Guajira, Colombian)

Objective: This research was to formulate the Environmental Action Plan (PAA), as a strategy for the ecological restoration that describes the programs and projects on the basis of the ecosystem goods and services provided to communities living in the area of study; especially the Wayuu indigenous population. Materials and Methods: The identification of the stressors, constraints, goods and services, was established through secondary information; which was organized in a matrix of Excel. With the above, it identified and prioritized the issues that affect the estuarine ecosystem of the River Rancheria. The tool implemented for the analysis of causality was the array of Vester. With this we identified the critical issues that present a high level of causality. These include problems: Passive, indifferent, total liabilities and assets. Findings: The estuarine system of the river Rancheria is a natural resource that has a variety of living organisms on which they depend as a source of food and shelter. Presents numerous habitats such as mangroves, mudflats, wetlands and permanent and temporary lagoons; which give protection to the coastal areas and shelter for wildlife. Application: As a strategy for ecological restoration is proposed programs within the PAA are: Water quality, wildlife management, scientific research, biological monitoring and management and follow-up. In the ecoregion identified the main problems, pressures and threats that are intimately related to the nature of the wetland, and their environments.