Geographies in conflict: Overlapping extractive activities in Peruvian wetlands

Peru boasts a rich diversity of wetlands crucial for climate change adaptation. However, these ecosystems face growing threats from changes in land use, extractive activities, and urban expansion. This study aims to assess the pressures on Peruvian Ramsar sites and wetlands arising from extractive activities, urban expansion, and community presence. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are employed to identify the overlap between mining concessions, forestry, oil fields, urban expansion, and wetland distribution. Results reveal significant overlaps of Ramsar wetlands with mining concessions (12 664.28 ha), oil fields (3 744 897.37 ha), and urban expansion (28 979 ha). A greater overlap of mining concessions (403,885.31 ha) with the wetlands has been evident, while the overlap of the oil lots was 897 439.33 ha, being greater on shrubby swamps. It is common to find frequent overlaps of extractive activities in areas occupied by native communities on the Abanico del Río Pastaza. In addition, 81 873.87 hectares of wetlands and lagoons in peasant communal territories overlap with mining concessions. It is concluded that there are conflicts in the rights to use wetlands, and wetlands with more superposition are the priority. Despite current legislation, significant progress is still required; therefore, collaborative practices are proposed for sustainable wetland management in Peru.