Identifying a Fire Ecology Research Agenda for Colombia

Over the years, isolated research efforts in Colombia have highlighted the ecological importance of natural wildfires in some areas and the risks of fire-driven biodiversity losses in others. However, these efforts do not form part of a consolidated research agenda on fire ecology. As a result, strategies to deal with wildfires are short-term attempts at damage control and contribute little to our understanding of fire as an integral part of Colombian ecosystems.

The Humboldt Research Institute organized a Fire Ecology Colloquium in Bogotá in June 2016, with the aim of bringing together fire experts and environmental management institutions to develop and agree on a research agenda. Participants included representatives from environmental organizations, public institutions, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and a representative from the U.S. Forest Service.