The current study determined the floristic composition, structure, and aboveground biomass (AGB) of the individuals of the Moraceae family. This occurred in order to value them as a source of biomass carbon, which itself is dependent on the altitudinal gradient (601–1000 m.a.s.l.) in the evergreen foothill forest of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The study encountered 117 individuals belonging to the Moraceae family, which was grouped into 32 species. Hereby, the most abundant were the genus Ficus sp., with 9.40% relative abundance, Brosimun alicastrum with 6.84%, and Aucleopsis sp. with 5.98%. Forest structural characteristics, such as the horizontal and vertical structure, diameter at breast height (DBH), and the diameter of the tree crown, were considered for the analysis. The horizontal profile determined that the crowns of the species of the Moraceae family cover approximately 16.43% of the upper canopy within the sampling unit area. The trees of the Moraceae family have a carbon capture capacity in the projected AGB per hectare of 35.09 (Mg ha−1), with the Ficus cuatracasana Dugand species being the species with the highest projected capture per hectare, with 15.737 (Mg ha−1). These results highlight the relevance of similar studies assessing the carbon accumulation capacity of species from other families, emphasizing high commercial value species due to their timber resource.
The variability of climatic conditions throughout the year and the physiological maturity of plant material can have effects on the nutritional value of plants and the productive performance of animals. The aim was to determine the effect of three tropical forage species (Tithonia diversifolia, Erythrina poeppigiana and Cratylia argentea) harvested at four cutting ages (30, 45, 60 and 75 days), during the dry and rainy seasons on in vitro gas production, rumen pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and CH4 production. A completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (three forage species, four cutting ages and two seasons) was used. Four Brahman bulls of 250.0 ± 20.5 kg of live weight were used, provided with a ruminal cannula for the extraction of ruminal fluid. The animals were kept separately in individual pens, where they were fed with P. maximum and water was provided ad libitum. Gas production among forage species was lower (p = 0.0001) in T. diversifolia and E. poeppigiana in the dry season. The cutting age had an influence on gas production, showing lower production (p = 0.0164) at 30 and 45 days in the dry season. The VFA production showed differences for the effect between forages in the rainy season, with higher values (p < 0.05) for acetic, propionic and butyric acid in the species E. poeppigiana, C. argéntea and T. diversifolia respectively. CH4 production showed differences between forage species, showing the lowest (p = 0.0001) production of CH4 in T. diversifolia for the dry and rainy seasons. It is concluded that the use of shrubby species (T. diversifolia, E. poeppigiana and C. argéntea) in ruminant production systems in the rainy and dry seasons, with an early regrowth age (30 and 45 days), present a promising alternative on the reduction of CH4.
Esta investigación presenta un análisis de las oportunidades y desafíos que enfrentan las comunidades indígenas ante un escenario REDD+, utilizando a la Nacionalidad Sápara como estudio de caso en Ecuador. La metodología utilizada se basó en una revisión bibliográfica y entrevistas a líderes indígenas que permitió conocer los sistemas de gobernanza, organización, tenencia de tierra, participación en el programa Socio-Bosque y debilidades en el sistema de gobernanza forestal que se maneja dentro de la Nacionalidad Sápara. Los resultados señalan que la Nacionalidad Sápara enfrenta desafíos en la gobernanza de recursos naturales y la implementación de REDD+, como conflictos internos, falta de unificación de comunidades, territorio no legalizado y necesidad de capacidades técnicas. Sin embargo, REDD+ brinda oportunidades como unificar el liderazgo, fortalecer la gobernanza, legalizar tierras y mejorar la gestión forestal. El estudio resalta la importancia de abordar estos desafíos mediante estrategias de fortalecimiento de la gobernanza y participación de las comunidades en políticas públicas. Además, se enfatiza la necesidad de reconocer y legalizar los territorios indígenas para su participación en la conservación de recursos naturales. En conclusión, la investigación ofrece una valiosa contribución al análisis de los desafíos y oportunidades que enfrentan las comunidades indígenas al implementar REDD+ en América Latina, y plantea importantes recomendaciones para el fortalecimiento de la gobernanza y la participación activa de las comunidades en el manejo de los recursos naturales.
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