EVALUATION REPORT FOR SUBTROPICAL LANDS DEVELOPMENT -- ECOLOGIST"S REPORT

This special evaluation covers the period 9/1/74-11/31/78 and is based on a contracted ecologist"s observations of the San Julian colony. Present settlement patterns seem compatible with the area"s natural resource potential. However, any permanent settlement must include on-farm management techniques to protect the area from environmental degradation. No matter which type of settlement technique is used, the final environmental impact of clearing and settling forested land will be similar, given areas of comparable ecology. Slash-and-burn land-clearing methods deposit ashes which result in 2-3 years of greater soil fertility than in lands mechanically cleared. Thereafter, farm yields are similar for both methods. Soil erosion from wind and water; stream degradation; loss of soil fertility; drainage and other watershed problems; destruction of native plant and animal species; and use of farmland for cattle grazing are some of the area"s potential problems. Proposed solutions include leaving undisturbed buffer-zones of trees to act as windbreaks and to prevent soil erosion; leaving vegetated areas along the banks of all permanent streams to prevent sedimentation buildup; and establishing perennial tree crops or other vegetative cover in abandoned areas to hasten reforestation, increase soil fertility and water infiltration rates, and lessen soil erosion. Colonies built on very wet areas should use drainage canals to minimize the time the soils remain under water. Sufficiently large sections of native habitat should be protected from any development whatsoever. Culverts and small bridges are necessary in road construction to prevent road sections from being washed out. Where existing roads block natural drainage routes, the road should be cut away and small dips installed. Lastly, the farmers should be taught a crop rotation system. Rather than allowing cattle grazing on fallow fields, grazing should be restricted to areas planted with fruit trees or other perennial crops. A demonstration farm should be established to test perennial varieties.