Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Tropical dry forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems in Colombia. The department of Valle del Cauca retains less than 2 % of its original coverage. The Meléndez campus of Universidad del Valle, located in the city of Cali, preserves a patch of dry forest adjacent to areas in a state of arrested natural succession. In this work, a participatory restoration strategy was formulated and implemented in a land invaded by Megathyrsus maximus, wherein 11 strips measuring 3 x 100 meters were created. Enrichment processes were carried out with native pioneer and intermediate species. 572 people participated in the restoration sessions, who hoped to learn about this ecosystem and contribute to its conservation. 143 individuals of 46 species were planted, with a survival rate of 80%. This research sought to contribute to knowledge management in order to design socio-ecological strategies that enable the restoration and conservation of dry forests.

The Colombian coffee region hosts Guadua angustifolia bamboo forests between 900 and 2000 meters above sea level, providing ecological benefits and multiple uses. This study assessed the structure, productivity, and quality of culms in three stands (28 ha) in the Colombian Coffee-Growing Axis to establish sustainable management and utilization criteria at the farm scale. Using multivariate analysis, environmental and quality patterns were identified, allowing for the classification of four distinct site groups. A harvesting rate of 431 culms.ha-1 every 12 months was deemed viable. The results highlight the importance of adapting harvesting practices to local heterogeneity, supporting informed decision-making to optimize production while ensuring the sustainability of guadua stands.

Eucalyptus urograndis is a hybrid between Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus grandis that is widely planted in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, which is home to many species of cerambycids. Therefore, this study conducted sampling activities using direct search in plantations and their surrounding vegetation. The composition of cerambycids in these areas grouped 52 individuals from the subfamily Lamiinae, which exhibited the greatest abundance within the plantations, recording 42 specimens distributed among Dorcasta dasycera (Erichson, 1848), Lepturges sp., Adetus tayronus Galileo and Martins, 2003, Oedopeza sp., and Steirastoma histrionica White, 1855. Meanwhile, the subfamily Cerambycinae recorded five species: Oxymerus aculeatus lebasi Dupont, 1838, Ceralocyna sp., Hexoplon albipenne Bates, 1872, Chrysoprasis chevrolati Lameere, 1884, and Trachyderes succinctus succinctus (Linnaeus, 1758). It was concluded that, concerning the diversity of cerambycids within E. urograndis plantations, the subfamily Lamiinae is favored by rainfall.

Functional traits are characteristics related to ecosystem functions, and they are useful in selecting species for restoration. The functional traits, propagation, and field performance of Buddleja bullata, Viburnum triphyllum, and Coriaria ruscifolia were evaluated, as well as their potential for high Andean forest restoration. Individual, foliar, regenerative, and root traits were measured. Seeds were collected, and the percentage of germination and survival were determined, in addition to the growth rates for height and cover. B. bullata exhibited the highest values regarding cover, litter production, and germination, suggesting its usefulness in canopy formation and its high seed viability. V. triphyllum is useful in canopy formation and fauna attraction, and it reported the highest growth and survival rates. C. ruscifolia favors fauna attraction and exhibited symbiosis with mycorrhizae and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Using advanced remote sensing, a comprehensive evaluation of the vegetation at the Amazonian Center for Experimental Research and Production (CEIPA) of Universidad Estatal Amazónica was conducted. Landsat 9 satellite images from 2023 were analyzed, focusing on the red and near-infrared spectral bands in order to calculate the normalized difference vegetation index. This index provided detailed information on vegetation health and type in the study area. The results indicated that over 90% of the CEIPA's surface exhibits medium to high-density vegetation, suggesting a healthy state. These findings are crucial for decision-making, land management, and environmental conservation in the academic sphere and in environmental management.

The purpose of this research was to assess the abundance of mosses in substrates of 11 forest trails in the Proaza Council in Spain. 100 surveys and cover data recordings were carried out using a 25 x 20 cm2 quadrat. Biological diversity (alpha and beta) and the distribution in substrates of different habitats were determined. 41 species were recognized, distributed among 31 genera and 16 families. The substrate with the highest species distribution uniformity was rock, and soil-rock was the one with the greatest diversity. The results evidenced the similarities of moss flora that is sensitive to abundance due to the natural physical features of the studied sites. We recommend conducting similar studies in other Councils of Asturias in order to learn more details about the mosses in the region.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two industrial residues (soybean oil and burnt oil) as preservative products under three different treatments in increasing the resistance of pine wood to degradation by xylophagous agents. To this effect, 46.6 x 5.0 x 2.0 cm pine samples were subjected to immersion treatments for 24 hours in both oils; to brushing treatments with three layers applied in 1-hour intervals; and to hot-cold baths in both oils for 1 hour at temperatures of 90 to 100 °C, followed by immersion for 2 hours. After the treatments, all samples were air-dried for 48 hours. The treatments with burnt oil and hot-cold baths with soybean oil were more efficient in protecting pine wood, which is why their use as preservative products is recommended.

Conventional agricultural management has accelerated soil degradation, affecting soil quality and sustainability. Biochar, a carbonaceous material produced by pyrolysis, has emerged as a solution to restore agricultural soils and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. In this work, the impact of biochar on soil quality was analyzed through a systematic review of scientific articles. Agricultural biomass was found to be the main source of biochar (61%), followed by forest biomass (23%), animal manure (8%), urban biomass (5%) and industrial biomass (3%). Biochar improves key soil properties such as water retention (by up to 31%) and porosity (14-19%), in addition to stimulating microbial and enzymatic activity. These benefits highlight its potential to optimize soil quality and increase agricultural yields.

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative case study examining pre-service teachers’ perceptions of materials development during their practicum in state high schools. The study involved 15 pre-service teachers from the English Language Teaching Program at Universidad de la Amazonia. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and artifacts and analyzed using the coding principles of grounded theory. The findings revealed that pre-service teachers perceive materials development as a cornerstone of their practicum experience. They reported that developing materials heightened their awareness of the importance of the practicum. Additionally, they emphasized the need to contextualize materials and integrate technology to enhance students’ learning experience. Nevertheless, findings suggest that pre-service teachers faced several constraints when designing their teaching materials, due to uncertainty about fulfilling their students’ expectations, limited institutional resources, and differing perspectives between cooperating and supervising teachers. These findings have important implications for teacher education programs and material development practices.

This paper presents a review of the literature on bilingual literacy in deaf and hearing-impaired students in Latin America, the United States, and Canada. The documents selected for this study included undergraduate and graduate thesis projects, governmental documents, and published academic articles. The review indicates that when deaf and hard-of-hearing students learn a second language, it contributes to their professional, academic, and personal growth, enabling them to interact more effectively with people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. However, the literature also highlights that deaf students face difficulties when entering the educational system, as there are not enough certified bilingual teachers in these countries to instruct this population in sign language. Additionally, the findings suggest that the role of parents is crucial in supporting the learning process of deaf students; thus, a close relationship between schools and families is essential to better assist students with hearing disabilities.