Case Study #01: Colombia - Agricultural driven nature loss in the tropical forest frontiers of Orinoquía

This case study analyzes nature loss driven by agriculture and livestock farming in the Orinoquía region of Colombia, a biodiversity hotspot covering 22% of the national territory. The expansion of extensive livestock farming and monocultures (rice, oil palm, soy, cacao) has led to accelerated deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of ecosystem services, exacerbated by social conflicts, informal land tenure, and market pressures. The document identifies integrated solutions, including silvopastoralism, agroforestry, sustainable intensification, payments for ecosystem services, certification, and territorial governance, highlighting the Orinoquía Pact as a key multisectoral coordination mechanism. The study offers strategic evidence for moving toward zero-deforestation, climate-resilient production systems that are compatible with biodiversity conservation in tropical landscapes of South America.