Lagunita Complex – Paraguay

Background Lagunita Complex

The Lagunita Complex comprises 29 lagoons and is situated in the Mbaracayu Forest Natural Reserve (MFNR) in the eastern region of Paraguay. The shallow lagoons with a maximum depth of one metre lie in the department Canindeyú near the Brazilian border and cover a surface of 0.3 square kilometres. The complex is surrounded by the Mbaracayu Forest Natural Reserve (MFNR), which is the nucleus area of the Mbaracayu Forest Biospere Reserve (MFBR).

The whole Lagunita Complex has a great importance for the fauna of the reseve in general. The MFNR is one of the places in Paraguay with a big range of biodiversity: 1,088 registered plant species, 412 bird species, 89 mammal species, 22 amphibian species, 21 reptile species and 64 fish species. In 2000, the Mbaracayu Forest Biospere Reserve (MFBR) was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Mbaracayu Forest Nature Reserve (MFNR) is privately owned by the non-governmental organisation Fundación Moisés Bertoni (FMB) and is one of the largest remaining tracts of privately owned dense humid sub-tropical forest in South America.

Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris), Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila ruficollis), Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea), Broad-snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris) and Southern Toad-headed Turtle (Mesoclemys vanderhaegei) are threatened and rare species living in the region. Many migratory birds use the area as resting place such as Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa Solitaria), Wilson´s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) as well as the before mentioned three different species of seedeater.

Project measures Lagunita Komplex

The unique biodiversity of the whole area is threatened by soil erosion, improper use of agrochemicals, poaching as well as hunting and timer theft.

The organisation Fundación Moisés Bertoni (FMB) is responsible for the administration of the Mbaracayu Forest Nature Reserve (MFNR). FMB has developed an environmental education and public relations campaign with the nearby communities. There are more than 20 communities devoted to planting native trees, organic gardening and bee keeping. FMB has also respected the rights of the indigenous Ache group in the reserve.

Since November 2012, the project “Conservation of Biodiversity and Traditional Cultures in the Mbaracayu Biosphere Reserve through Sustainable Forestry Management in Paraguay” is implemented by the GNF and the partner organisation Fundación Moisés Bertoni (FMB). This project is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Partner Organisation Lagunita Komplex

Fundación Moisés Bertoni (FMB)

Contact person: Danilo A. Salas-Dueñas, Programme Coordinator

CC 714 - Prócer Arguello

208 e/Mcal López y Boggiani Asunción - Paraguay

Phone: 595 – 21 – 608 – 740 / 741

Fax: 595 – 21 – 608 – 740 / 741

E-mail: dsalas@mbertoni.org.py; Danilosalas@gmail.com

Website: www.mbertoni.org.py/