Legislación de ordenamiento territorial ambiental y conservación de primates en Colombia

Environmental land use planning legislation aims to regulate land use and ensure the provision of ecosystem services that are fundamental to human well-being. These services include support of biodiversity, which must include habitat conservation for species of high ecological value, such as primates. However, scenarios complexity related to primate conservation has resulted in efforts being focused on specific species or geographical areas. As a result, legislation importance on environmental territorial planning has not been thoroughly explored. Colombia is home to 38 species of primates, among which the ornate titi monkey (Plecturocebus ornatus) is endemic. This species plays an ecological role as a seed disperser, pollinator, and insect consumer in the lowland and foothills forests of Meta and parts of Cundinamarca departments. Despite this, it remains vulnerable to extinction, making it a valuable model for analysis. This study aims to analyze the existing legislation and its effectiveness for the conservation of primate habitat, with a particular focus on the ornate titi monkey. As input, a systematic review of legal and technical literature has been conducted. In addition, interviews were conducted with actors involved in environmental land use planning at municipal and regional levels. Results of our research suggest that although there is a normative goal of habitat conservation for species, there is a lack of implementation in many regions of significant biological importance. It is hoped that this research will contribute to strengthening institutions responsible for environmental territorial management, formulating laws to protect non-human species, and reducing primate populations.