Silvopastoral systems (SPS) integrate tree, herbaceous, and livestock components into a single production unit, promoting environmental and economic sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate carbon storage in a traditional Amazonian silvopastoral system and its contribution to climate change mitigation. The research was conducted at the Amazonian Research and Production Experimental Center (CEIPA), Napo Province, Ecuador. Three 1,000 m2 plots were established, in which a floristic inventory of the herbaceous and tree strata was carried out. Forest biomass was estimated using allometric equations, and forage biomass was evaluated using the square frame method (1 m2). Stored carbon was estimated considering a carbon coefficient of 47% of dry biomass. In addition, soil samples were collected to a depth of 30 cm to determine soil organic carbon content. Sixty-one individuals were recorded, distributed among 14 forest species and 9 botanical families. The Lauraceae family had the highest number of species. Herbaceous cover was dominated by Brachiaria decumbens (65%) and B. brizantha (30%), with the presence of Arachis pintoi (3.5%) and Desmodium spp. (1.5%). The largest carbon reservoir was the soil (34.72 t ha-1), followed by the forest component (25.15 t ha-1) and herbaceous component (6 t ha-1), accumulating a total of 65.87 t ha-1 of carbon. It is concluded that traditional silvopastoral systems (SPS) in the Ecuadorian Amazon have high potential as carbon sinks, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation.
The objective of this study was to document local ethno-ornithological knowledge and to characterize the tourism potential of the avifauna in El Chial community, Manabi Province, Ecuador. Free listing, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and field surveys were applied, complemented by spatial analysis using GIS. A total of 14 bird species belonging to 10 families were identified, distributed across four types of land cover: grasslands (175.55 ha), natural forest (122.76 ha), traditional crops (122.39 ha), and shrub vegetation (69.86 ha). The species with the highest cultural salience were Psittacara erythrogenys (0.66), Pionus menstruus (0.53), and Brotogeris pyrrhopterus (0.53), all psittacids with high tourism appeal due to their coloration, vocalization, and gregarious behavior. Local knowledge largely coincided with documented ecological patterns, including feeding habits, nesting sites, and reproductive periods. The species Melanerpes pucherani, Ortalis erythroptera, and Momotus subrufescens were recognized as suitable for interpretive walks and environmental education. In agricultural areas, Molothrus bonariensis and Crotophaga sulcirostris stand out for their accessibility and ease of observation, facilitating initial birdwatching experiences. The results demonstrate that local avifauna constitutes a strategic resource for designing community-based tourism products grounded in conservation, Montubio identity, and sustainable dry forest management. This study highlights that the integration of traditional knowledge, ecological analysis, and spatial tools provides a solid foundation for the development of sustainable birdwatching tourism in rural territories.
The contribution of clones from a seed orchard to cone production determines the effective population size and is highly correlated with seed production. The objective was to determine clonal variation and stability in the productive capacity of female cones of Pinus patula clones established in a 1.5 generation asexual seed orchard . Mature cones of all clones were collected and counted at the end of March in the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Genetic variation between clones and years of production, broad heritability (H (2) c), Spearman's correlation coefficient of mean cone production per clone between years of evaluated were determined, phenotypic correlations of clone means (r p) and genetic correlation type B (r B ) were estimated. Female cone production showed a wide variation between clones and years. Spearman's correlation coefficients between production and production years were high and positive from 0.80 to 0.88. The degree of variation in cone production was higher among clones (sigma (2) c ) than within clones (sigma (2) e ,), the r B was 0.79 and H (2) cwas 0.83 in the joint analysis of cone production over four years of evaluation, indicating high genetic control in cone production ability. Only 12 clones contributed between 80 and 85 % of the total female cone production. The HSA presents an imbalance in clonal contribution to cone production which negatively affects the effective population size.
The objective of this research was to evaluate the technical, financial, and economic feasibility of the pine sawing process in the south-central region of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, to determine its potential as a sustainable source of income for local communities and its contribution to climate change mitigation. The results show a positive trend in cash flows, accumulating a total of 16.43 million pesos over six years.Although there were deficits in 2024 and 2029, the project quickly recovered, generating positive cash flows afterward, demonstrating an adequate capacity to cover operating costs and financial commitments with increasing revenues. Net profits reached 10.40 million pesos, consistently growing to 2.41 million in 2029, reflecting improvements in operational efficiency and profitability. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 7.95% indicates that the project can recover the initial investment, and a positive Net Present Value (NPV) at a rate of 34.91% suggests that the project is viable and profitable above its capital cost. Fixed costs remain stable, and variable costs increase linearly with production. The break-even point is at 0.39 million board feet, where revenues equal total expenses. Exceeding this point is crucial for profitability. The project's average sustainability is acceptable, with an average annual profit of approximately $500,000.00, indicating that despite fluctuations, the project can maintain consistent profitability with efficient management.
Los sistemas agroforestales amazónicos integran componentes agrícolas y forestales que contribuyen a la sostenibilidad productiva y a la conservación de la biodiversidad. El objetivo del estudio fue proponer una estrategia de rehabilitación ecológica para la finca Yana Rumi mediante la caracterización del sistema agroforestal chakra y la evaluación estructural del bosque secundario asociado. La investigación se desarrolló en la parroquia Madre Tierra, cantón Mera, provincia de Pastaza (Ecuador). Se aplicó un enfoque descriptivo basado en diagnóstico productivo participativo y evaluación florística. Para el análisis del bosque secundario se establecieron cuatro parcelas de 10 × 10 m bajo muestreo estratificado, donde se registraron especies arbóreas, abundancia y diámetro a 1.30 m. Se calcularon los índices de diversidad de Shannon, Simpson y el Índice de Valor de Importancia (IVI). El sistema chakra evidenció limitaciones edáficas asociadas a drenaje deficiente y procesos de acidificación que afectaron cultivos tradicionales. El bosque secundario presentó baja diversidad (H’ promedio = 0,280) y dominancia estructural de Apeiba membranacea y Piptocoma discolor. La estrategia de rehabilitación propuesta incluyó diversificación agrícola con Carica papaya L., Ananas comosus (L.) Merr e Hibiscus sabdariffa L., incorporación de fertilización orgánica y enriquecimiento forestal con especies multipropósito. Los resultados indican que la integración de prácticas agroecológicas y enriquecimiento forestal puede mejorar la resiliencia ecológica y la funcionalidad productiva del sistema agroforestal.
