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In this work, a bibliographic review was carried out based on agricultural, agroecological and agroforestry systems and subsystems, which, over the years, have been replicated and implemented in most of the Ecuadorian territory; focusing on the traditional and representative agricultural systems of each region of the country, such as the Andean Chakra (Sierra), Finca Montubia (Coast) and Aja Shuar (Amazon), which are currently used in order to know, improve and take advantage of efficiently natural resources with the help of silvopastoral, agrosilvopastoral and shifting agriculture systems, which are components of the agroforestry system. In addition, it is intended to analyze the impact of the systems on the management and conservation of resources, soils, solid waste, socio-economic and political-institutional aspects, which contribute to ecological integrity and the promotion of sustainable human development in different areas of the country; through which it has been possible to implement a variety of production processes for the transformation and commercialization of products. Likewise, new mechanisms are emerging that aim to develop forms of sustainable production with environmentalist tendencies, which raise the need to replace the dominant models of agricultural production with more sustainable ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeledonia is the property of Asociacion Ornitologica de Costa Rica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The introduction of exotic legumes (Trifolium repens) in humid Puna grasslands improves forage quality and soil nutritional status. The objective was to determine the influence of phosphate fertilization and seeding density (legume) on the grass-legume ratio in a grassland dominated by Festuca dolichophylla and Calamagrostis vicunarum, during two years, based on the percentages of survival, establishment and relative cover of white clover. The experimental area was located in the Huancavelica region of Peru (4 500 masl). A completely randomized design with a 3x2 factorial arrangement was used, with three doses of phosphorus (0, 15 and 30 grams of rock phosphate) and two planting densities (20 and 40 seeds per hole). The best response to fertilization was obtained with the application of 15 g of rock phosphate per hole. The seeding density with which the best results were obtained in terms of percentage cover of clover in the native prairie was 20 seeds per hole. The white clover cover patterns varied with the season, with higher proportions in the rainy season than in the dry season, which did not exceed on average the recommended grass-legume ratio (70:30). The trials were conducted in the absence of grazing, a determining factor in the grass-legume balance. It is recommended to examine interactions between sowing density and fertilization under different grazing schemes on the grass-legume balance and ecosystem integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of the hydrobiological resources (HBR) of three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the Colombian Pacific was evaluated: Utría National Natural Park (NNP), Uramba Bahía Málaga NNP and Sanquianga NNP. Four fishery indicators were used for the analysis: 1) relative abundance given as landing per Unit Effort (LPUE); 2) effort (h); 3) size (cm); and 4) percentage of individuals captured below the average size at sexual maturity (ASM). The LPUE and effort indicators obtained low ratings in the MPAs according the categories constructed in Herrera (2020), with the exception of PNN Utría. Regarding the indicators "sizes" and "percentage of individuals captured below the ASM, these presented low scores, and are closely related to the reduced sizes of capture in the areas. Given the evidence that the resources in the MPAs are in a condition that is not sustainable (PNN Uramba Bahía Málaga and PNN Sanquianga), it is necessary to advance in the establishment of management measures (minimum catch sizes, time and space closures, selectivity control of fishing gear), which result in the reduction of fishing effort and the increase of catches above the TMM of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Entramado is the property of Universidad Libre Seccional Cali and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biosphere reserves constitute a management proposal that aims to reconcile multiple types of land use on a surface area that is representative of the planet's ecological and cultural diversity. Among their objectives are safeguarding the ecological integrity of core areas dedicated to conservation, which ultimately means taking into account the needs of those human populations inhabiting the reserve. This essay postulates that in order to legitimize conservation efforts within biosphere reserves it is necessary to activate two distinct processes: sustainability and territorialization. In other words, biosphere reserves need to be considered as sustainable territories if they are to achieve their conservation goals. In this case, environmental sustainability is accomplished through the provision of ecosystem services by means of establishing multifunctional landscapes, whereas social sustainability implies the institutionalization of social processes. Territorial appropriation of the reserve on the part of its inhabitants should furthermore be sought. Brought about jointly, environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and territorialization would enable biosphere reserves to become sustainable territories, thus underpinning their conservation potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dung beetles are excellent indicators of ecosystem ecological integrity, accomplishing an essential role in nutrient cycling process that includes fertilization and soil aeration. Nevertheless, very little is known about the influence of season variation on the assemblage composition and ecological function of dung beetles from high Andean zones. We aimed to investigate the seasonal effect on the diversity and ecological function of dung beetles in terms of biomass. We sampled two pasture patches of the "Reserva Biológica Encenillo", located in Cundinamarca-Colombia, using ten pitfall traps baited with feces placed 50 m apart for 24 hours. This sample design was replicated during each season (dry, transition, and rain). A significant seasonal variation was documented, demonstrating an important association with the rainy season. Significant differences were found for the biomass between species and seasons. The species with the highest biomass was Homocopris achamas. It is evident that high Andean pastures assemblages have low diversity, due to the strong human disturbance, the pressures associated with the altitude, and the evolutionary dynamics of these regions. The marked seasonality of the registered species and the close association with the rainy season are consistent with the pattern established for the Neotropical region. Likewise, a strong seasonal variation of the biomass is evident, which could have a significant impact on the ecological functionality and the ecosystem services in this habitat. In future studies, it is necessary to quantify the functional contribution of the species and their seasonal variation to contribute to their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ambiente e Água is the property of Revista Ambiente e Agua and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Therya is the property of Asociacion Mexicana de Mastozoologia, A. C. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Royal Decree 159/2022, published on March 1st, establishes the basic rules for the conservation of forest genetic resources and wild flora in Spain. The main objective is to promote the genetic diversity of key species for their adaptation to changing conditions and contribute to the integrity of ecosystems. The decree establishes the creation of a network of "in situ" genetic conservation units throughout the country, in collaboration with the autonomous communities. Measures are also established for the "ex situ" conservation of genetic material from protected wild flora species. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Revista Facultad de Ciencias Basicas is the property of Revista Facultad de Ciencias Basicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gestión y Ambiente is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ciencia, Tecnología y Salud is the property of Ciencia, Tecnologia y Salud and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Boletín Científico Centro de Museos de Historia Natural is the property of Universidad de Caldas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The research aimed to link the concepts of ecological integrity and ecosystem services in mangroves, in search of food security and greater resilience to climate change. It was carried out in two coastal areas in the southwest of the province of Pinar del Río, Cuba; namely, Protected Area of Managed Resources Punta Cortés and Coloma-Las Canas (one in a state of deterioration). A methodological proposal was developed that relates the concepts of ecological integrity, ecosystem services and food security in coastal areas with the presence of mangroves, for which indicators are taken into account to assess the ecosystems in question and compare results through the application of surveys and interviews with residents, as empirical methods of support. In the case of Punta Cortés, according to the indicator range, a score of 28 was obtained, which places the area as high integrity, but not in the case of La Coloma-Las Canas, whose score was 11, remaining, according to the methodology, in the low integrity range. The results of the surveys carried out among the residents coincide with the previous ones, concluding that the La Coloma-Las Canas sector does not have the necessary food security for the local development of its residents due to the deterioration of its mangroves, which threatens the scarce possibility of resilience to climatic changes, especially hurricanes and tropical storms, as well as sea level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The ecological integrity of gallery forests on the San José de Matadepantano Farm was observed between July 2010 and October 2011 to determine the current state of the ecosystems. Gallery forests border the Tiestal, Güio, and Las Flores streams, surrounded by savannah covering 1200 acres of territory. Ecological integrity was measured by variables such as coverage, density, extent of forest corridors, richness, diversity, and fragmentation levels or discontinuities of forests along the waterways. The structure was described by scale representations in plan views and side views. Forest cover was determined as the percentage of area occupied by each of the following categories: 1) non-intervened forest, 2) regenerating forest, 3) intervened forest, 4) agricultural crops, and 5) paths and works. Gallery forests showed high ecological integrity, especially in places that are the farthest from the Utopia campus, which is the biggest center of human activity. Close to campus there is a wide range of activities represented in agriculture, constructions and paths, and, therefore, the gallery forests located in the vicinity exhibited a smaller ecological integrity, lowest forest cover, and higher structural degradation than those in other parts of the farm. Forests surrounding the Güio stream are in a good state of conservation, covering 70% of forested formations in the farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gorgona, located in the southern zone of the Pacific Ocean of Colombia, is an insular territory at 35km in a straight line from the continental margin. Although historically this island was used in different forms, since 1984 it has been among the most important protected marine areas of the Colombian Pacific Ocean. Here we review the historical development of scientific research in Gorgona island and its importance for marine and coastal conservation in the Colombian Pacific region. The island is an strategic location for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Conservation Corridor. Its ecological status is acceptable but the populations of Bradypus variegatus and Proechymis simispinosus are too small and monitoring and scientific programs need to continue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is presented an overview of silviculture as a critical element for the sustainability and management of the forest, considering the definition of silviculture that supports the sustainable management of natural forest, the role of silviculture within the new paradigms for the sustainable use of natural forest, the limitations in research and silvicultural practice in tropical forests and the priority themes for achieving the sustainable management of natural forest. It was stablished that for the maintenance of the adaptive capacity of forests to various and unexpected disturbances without losing their ecological integrity, the forester needs biological and ecological knowledge that enables him to comprehend the forest as a whole. It is concluded that in order to obtain greater benefits from the ecosystem goods and services it is required to overcome the traditional silviculture approach. It is necessary to develop research leading to maximize the benefits of local communities from the combined use of timber and non-timber products, without neglecting their role to ensure the ecological integrity of the ecosystem intervening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the creation of the National Central Office for the Analysis of Information on Illegal Environmental Activities in Spain. This office, created within the framework of the Spanish Action Plan against the illegal trafficking and poaching of wild species, aims to coordinate and optimize the available resources to combat illegal trafficking and poaching, which represent a serious threat to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. The Office will serve as a national reference point and will work closely with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. Its creation has received European support from the Life Nature Guardians project. [Extracted from the article]

Costa Rica is recognized as one of the most diverse countries in species and ecosystems, in their terrestrial realm as well as in the marine. Besides this relevance, the country presents a delay on conservation and management of marine and coastal biodiversity, with respect to terrestrial. For 2006, the marine protected surface was 5 208.8km², with 331.5km of coastline, in 20 protected areas. The country has made progress on the conservation priority sites identification for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity, with few efforts on marine planning. This research presents the analysis and results of the gap identification process, for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in the protected areas system of Costa Rica. The analysis was built with the spatial information available on the presence and distribution of coastal and marine biodiversity, the establishment of the conservation goals and a threat analysis over the ecological integrity of this biodiversity. The selection of high-priority sites was carried out using spatial optimization techniques and the superposition over the current shape of marine protected areas, in order to identify representation gaps. A total of 19 076km2 of conservation gaps were identified, with 1 323km² in the Caribbean and 17 753km² in the Pacific. Recommendations are aimed at planning and strengthening the marine protected areas system, using the gaps identified as a framework. It is expected that the results of this study would be the scientific base needed for planning and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the country. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 829-842. Epub 2011 June 01. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En América Central existe un interés creciente por el diseño y manejo de los sistemas desde un enfoque holístico, con el fin de mejorar y diversificar la productividad de las fincas. En este sentido los sistemas silvopastoriles constituyen una opción en los sistemas de explotación de los rumiantes, ya que diversifican los productos (leche, carne, madera, postes y leña), brindan sombra, mejoran la dieta de los animales y reducen la utilización de los fertilizantes químicos y los concentrados, lo cual se manifiesta en un menor empleo de insumos externos a la finca. Además, permiten la generación de servicios ambientales, tales como el secuestro de carbono, la conservación de la biodiversidad, la protección de las cuencas hidrográficas y la belleza escénica. El objetivo del presente artículo es mostrar el estado del recurso arbóreo en las pasturas, así como el impacto de los sistemas silvopastoriles en la productividad y la generación de servicios ambientales en las fincas ganaderas. Además, se demuestra cómo el pago de servicios ambientales puede convertirse en una herramienta para incentivar la adopción de estos sistemas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]