The process of environmental degradation, product of the inadequate management practices and use of the soils, which include the felling, the burning, intensive extra-shepherding and the inadequate establishment of crops in not suitable soils for this activity, has provoked an advanced state of degradation of 27% of the soils of Panama. Among the most affected zones by this process is the zone called the “Arco seco” (central provinces of Panama) where the losses of soil overcome rates of 200 ton/hectare/year; this together with the annual levels of rainfall that do not exceed 1000 mm of rain and the periods of drought that spread even for 7 months are causing a significant fall in the flow of the principal rivers of the region and negative effects in the areas of shepherding used in the cattle breeding and in the water availability for the use in the agricultural activities, industrial and domestic, threatening in this way the local economy, taking into account that the agricultural sector represents its engine. 

The village Las Guabas of the district “Los Santos” and the villages El Cedro and El Corozal of the district of “Macaracas” constitute the WAFLA zones of panama, being these some of most affected areas by the adverse factors of the climate, such as droughts and floods. As other sub-humid dry ecosystems of Central America this zone possesses a period of drought of six months included between November to May with rainfalls average of 1040 mm per year and a flat topography to lightly wavy. The principal roads are accessible during the whole year, the telephonic connections are very good and the same as the radio (National, State and local), and the television is via satelital and the access to internet via Dial-up occur just in one of the WAFLA zones.

 

The pastures dedicated to the cattle-breeding of double purpose together with specially fruit-bearing perennial crops represent the main use of the soil, being this the main economic activity of the area, however they are carried out other such important economic activities as the agriculture (Cultivations of corn, tomato and sugar cane), the trade, the industry, the tourism and the fishing.

In the selected communities from Panama the common practice used for the conservation of water, it is the integration of fruit trees as the Marañón (Anacardium occidentali), the Mango (Mangifera indica) and woody trees like Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) in the productive systems, due to the resistance that they present during the periods of drought, being able to also take advantage of the organic matter resultant of the pruning for the improvement of the soil which results in better infiltration and use of the water. On the other hand there are initiatives of reforestation for the protection of the hydrographic basins of Los Santos with native species that can be fruit or wood trees.

 

The use of fruit and wood trees for firewood and shade with natural pastures and forage trees is the principal use of the soil (predominant in the zone); this zone is characterized by the presence of silviculture systems with species adapted to the zone. These systems have been successful for supporting climatic adverse effects like hurricanes and droughts, besides being less dependent to external inputs. 

CCAD- Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo

FANCA- Red Centroamericana de Acción del Agua

IDIAP- Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá

MIDA- Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario

ANAM- Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente

ANAGAN- Fortalecimiento del sector ganadero de la provincia

Asociación de Productores de Maíz y Arroz.

Grupo de Damas Santeñas.