Introduction

The signing of the Peace Agreement is a breaking point for Colombia and for the department of Guaviare, from which it is interesting to understand the evolution of forest cover on regard of the political and social transitions. From a long-term social and historical analysis perspective, seeing a before and after transition can bring inputs about forest management strategies and governance, acknowledging that the analysis of the evolution of forest cover has focused mainly on deforestation but not on forest degradation.

Objectives


To compare the data offered by national and international databases on deforestation and forest degradation processes for the 2015-2020 period in Guaviare.
To advance in the understanding of variations in deforestation and forest degradation trends from a social and historical analysis for the 2015-2020 period in Guaviare


Methods


Information sourcing from the JRC database and comparison with official data sources IDEAM and SINCHI in the period 2015-2020 for the department of Guaviare.
Semi-structured interviews with regional and local institutions and farmers of one of the deforestation hotspots, bordering the Serranía del Chiribiquete National Park.


Results


A strong increase in forest degradation in Guaviare is evident for the period 2015-2020 overcoming deforestation, which coincides with the transition period after the signing of the Peace Agreement.
Problems visible over the historical trajectory and conflict persistence affect local actors’ perceptions of forest management strategies and territorial governance, making it difficult to implement concerted strategies aimed at preventing deforestation.


Conclusions


It is necessary to combine complementary methods and sources of information to address both deforestation and forest degradation processes.
Beyond deforestation, it is important to advance in the understanding of forest degradation in the Colombian Amazon.
Some conflicts persist despite the signing of the peace agreement and some specificities of socioecological context can prevent the effectiveness of concerted strategies aimed at preventing deforestation.