Do provisioning ecosystem services change along gradients of increasing agricultural production?

Ronju Ahammad Stephanie Tomscha Sarah Gergel Frédéric Baudron Jean-Yves Duriaux Chavarría Samson Foli Dominic Rowland Josh Van Vianen Terence Sunderland (2024, [Artículo])

Context: Increasing agricultural production shapes the flow of ecosystem services (ES), including provisioning services that support the livelihoods and nutrition of people in tropical developing countries. Although our broad understanding of the social-ecological consequences of agricultural intensification is growing, how it impacts provisioning ES is still unknown. Objectives: We examined the household use of provisioning ES across a gradient of increasing agricultural production in seven tropical countries (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nicaragua and Zambia). We answered two overarching questions: (1) does the use of provisioning ES differ along gradients of agriculture production ranging from zones of subsistence to moderate and to high agriculture production? and (2) are there synergies and/or trade-offs within and among groups of ES within these zones? Methods: Using structured surveys, we asked 1900 households about their assets, livestock, crops, and collection of forest products. These questions allowed us to assess the number of provisioning ES households used, and whether the ES used are functionally substitutable (i.e., used similarly for nutrition, material, and energy). Finally, we explored synergies and trade-offs among household use of provisioning ES. Results: As agricultural production increased, provisioning ES declined both in total number and in different functional groups used. We found more severe decreases in ES for relatively poorer households. Within the functional groups of ES, synergistic relationships were more often found than trade-offs in all zones, including significant synergies among livestock products (dairy, eggs, meat) and fruits. Conclusions: Considering landscape context provides opportunities to enhance synergies among provisioning services for households, supporting resilient food systems and human well-being.

Agricultural Production Zones Agricultural Intensifcation Synergies and Trade-Offs Landscape Multifunctionality Social-Ecological Systems CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA AGRICULTURE INTENSIFICATION ECOSYSTEM SERVICES LANDSCAPE SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Strong floristic distinctiveness across Neotropical successional forests

Catarina Jakovac Jorge Arturo Meave del Castillo Frans Bongers Susan Letcher JUAN MANUEL DUPUY RADA Daniel Piotto Danaë Rozendaal Marielos Peña-Claros Dylan Craven Braulio Santos Alexandre Siminski Alfredo Fantini Alice Cristina Rodrigues Alma Hernandez-Jaramillo Álvaro Idárraga-Piedrahita André Junqueira Angelica Almeyda Zambrano Bernardus de Jong Bruno X. Pinho Bryan Finegan Carolina Castellanos Castro Daisy Christiane Zambiazi Daisy Dent Daniel Hernán Garcia-Villalobos Deborah Kennard Diego Delgado Eben Broadbent Edgar Ortiz-Malavasi Eduardo A. Pérez-García Edwin Lebrija-Trejos Erika Berenguer Erika Marin-Spiotta Esteban Alvarez_Davila EVERARDO VALADARES DE SÁ SAMPAIO Felipe Melo Fernando Elias Filipe França Florian Oberleitner Francisco Mora Ardila G. Bruce Williamson Gabriel Colletta George Cabral Geraldine Derroire Geraldo Fernandes Hans van der Wal Heitor Mancini Teixeira Henricus F.M. Vester Hernando Garcia Ima Vieira Jaider Jiménez-Montoya Jarcilene Almeida Cortez Jefferson Hall Jerome Chave Jess Zimmerman Jhon Edison Nieto Vargas Joice Ferreira JORGE ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ VELAZQUEZ Jorge Ruiz Jos Barlow Jose Aguilar Cano JOSE LUIS HERNANDEZ STEFANONI Julien Engel Justin Becknell Kátia Janaina Zanini Madelon Lohbeck Marcelo Tabarelli Marco Antonio Romero Romero Maria Uriarte Maria das Dores Magalhães Veloso Mário do Espírito Santo Masha van der Sande Michiel van Breugel Miguel Martínez-Ramos Naomi Schwartz Natalia Norden Nathalia Pérez-Cárdenas Noel Antonio González_Valdivia PASCAL PETRONELLI Patricia Balvanera Paulo Massoca Pedro Brancalion Pedro Manuel Villa Peter Hietz Rebecca Ostertag René López Camacho Ricardo Cesar Rita Mesquita Robin Chazdon Rodrigo Muñoz Saara DeWalt Sandra Müller Sandra M Duran Sebastião Martins Susana Ochoa-Gaona Susana Rodriguez-Buritica T. Mitchell Aide Tony Vizcarra Bentos Vanessa de Souza Moreno Laura Vanessa Granda William Thomas Whendee Silver YULE NUNES Lourens Poorter (2022, [Artículo])

Forests that regrow naturally on abandoned fields are important for restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services, but can they also preserve the distinct regional tree floras? Using the floristic composition of 1215 early successional forests (≤20 years) in 75 human-modified landscapes across the Neotropic realm, we identified 14 distinct floristic groups, with a between-group dissimilarity of 0.97. Floristic groups were associated with location, bioregions, soil pH, temperature seasonality, and water availability. Hence, there is large continental-scale variation in the species composition of early successional forests, which is mainly associated with biogeographic and environmental factors but not with human disturbance indicators. This floristic distinctiveness is partially driven by regionally restricted species belonging to widespread genera. Early secondary forests contribute therefore to restoring and conserving the distinctiveness of bioregions across the Neotropical realm, and forest restoration initiatives should use local species to assure that these distinct floras are maintained. Copyright © 2022 The Authors, some rights reserved.

CONSERVATION ECOSYSTEMS FORESTRY BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) ECOLOGÍA VEGETAL ECOLOGÍA VEGETAL

Plantas herbáceas de la duna costera en Sabancuy, Campeche, México

Eliana Josefína Noguera Savelli (2022, [Artículo])

Como parte del Golfo de México, Campeche ocupa el séptimo lugar a nivel nacional por la extensión de su litoral. En general los ecosistemas costeros del país se encuentran afectados por la pérdida de biodiversidad debido al desarrollo de las actividades humanas, aumento de zonas urbanas, turismo y/o actividades agrícolas; situación que también ocurre en la zona de Sabancuy. En este trabajo se presenta un listado de las especies herbáceas que crecen en un fragmento de duna costera en la zona de Sabancuy, el objetivo fue identificar especies de plantas nativas que puedan ser de utilidad en estrategias para la restauración de zonas que se encuentran deforestadas. Es importante conocer la diversidad de las plantas que aún persisten en dunas costeras, en este caso de Sabancuy, a fin de permitir el diseño de planes que faciliten la reforestación y conservación de estos ecosistemas.

COSTA FLORA PLAYA VEGETACION XEROFÍTICA CONSERVACION BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) ECOLOGÍA VEGETAL ECOLOGÍA VEGETAL

Willingness to pay (WTP) for heat-tolerant maize hybrids in the Mid-Western Terai region of Nepal

Atul Kulkarni Keshab Babu Koirala Pervez Zaidi (2023, [Artículo])

Heat-Tolerant Maize Hybrid Preference Heterogeneity CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA HEAT TOLERANCE MAIZE HYBRIDS WILLINGNESS TO PAY CONTINGENT VALUATION

User manual: How to use Agvisely to generate climate service advisories for livestock in Bangladesh

T.S Amjath-Babu Timothy Joseph Krupnik (2023, [Libro])

The Agvisely digital service for livestock integrates location-specific meteorological forecasts generated by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) with species specific biological thresholds for weather variables (Temperature, rainfall, and temperature-humidity index (THI). When a biological threshold is to be breached in next five days' forecast, the system automatically generates location-specific management advice for livestock farmers. Advisories are based on a decision tree developed by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and CIMMYT. Agvisely is a smart phone app and web-based service developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) CIMMYT with the support of USAID, securing the Food Systems of Asian Mega- Deltas (AMD) for Climate and Livelihood Resilience and the Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) initiatives in collaboration with Bangladesh Dept. of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CLIMATE SERVICES LIVESTOCK DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Calibrated multi-model ensemble seasonal prediction of Bangladesh summer monsoon rainfall

Nachiketa Acharya Carlo Montes Timothy Joseph Krupnik (2023, [Artículo])

Bangladesh summer monsoon rainfall (BSMR), typically from June through September (JJAS), represents the main source of water for multiple sectors. However, its high spatial and interannual variability makes the seasonal prediction of BSMR crucial for building resilience to natural disasters and for food security in a climate-risk-prone country. This study describes the development and implementation of an objective system for the seasonal forecasting of BSMR, recently adopted by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The approach is based on the use of a calibrated multi-model ensemble (CMME) of seven state-of-the-art general circulation models (GCMs) from the North American Multi-Model Ensemble project. The lead-1 (initial conditions of May for forecasting JJAS total rainfall) hindcasts (spanning 1982–2010) and forecasts (spanning 2011–2018) of seasonal total rainfall for the JJAS season from these seven GCMs were used. A canonical correlation analysis (CCA) regression is used to calibrate the raw GCMs outputs against observations, which are then combined with equal weight to generate final CMME predictions. Results show, compared to individual calibrated GCMs and uncalibrated MME, that the CCA-based calibration generates significant improvements over individual raw GCM in terms of the magnitude of systematic errors, Spearman's correlation coefficients, and generalised discrimination scores over most of Bangladesh areas, especially in the northern part of the country. Since October 2019, the BMD has been issuing real-time seasonal rainfall forecasts using this new forecast system.

Multi-Model Ensemble Seasonal Forecasting CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CLIMATE SERVICES FORECASTING MONSOONS

Agricultural lime value chain efficiency for reducing soil acidity in Ethiopia

Moti Jaleta (2023, [Artículo])

Soil acidity is challenging agricultural production in Ethiopia. Above 43% of the farmland is under soil acidity problem and it leads to low crop yields and production losses. Ag-lime is widely considered as an effective remedy for amending soil acidity. This study assesses the current structure of ag-lime value chain and its functionality focusing on central parts of Ethiopia where lime is produced and channeled to acidity affected areas. The study uses Ethiopia as a case study and applies qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from different actors in the ag-lime value chain. Key findings indicate that both public and private ag-lime producing factories are operating below their capacity. Due to limited enabling environments, the engagement of private sector in ag-lime value chain is minimal. In addition, farmers have a good awareness of soil acidity problem on their farms, and its causes and mitigation strategies in all regions. However, the adoption of ag-lime by smallholders was minimal. Overall, the current structure of the ag-lime value chain appears fragmented and needs improvement. Addressing soil acidity challenge through efficient ag-lime value chain could narrow lime supply-demand mismatches and increase widespread adoption by farmers to enhance crop productivity and food security in acidity-prone areas of the country.

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA LIMES PRODUCTION COSTS VALUE CHAINS SOIL PH

Women, economic resilience, gender norms in a time of climate change: what do we know?

Cathy Farnworth Anne Rietveld Rachel Voss Angela Meentzen (2023, [Artículo])

This literature delves into 82 research articles, published between 2016 and 2022, to develop a deep understanding of how women manage their lives and livelihoods within their agrifood systems when these systems are being affected, sometimes devastatingly, by climate change. The Findings show that four core gender norms affect the ability of women to achieve economic resilience in the face of climate change operate in agrifood production systems. Each of these gender norms speaks to male privilege: (i) Men are primary decision-makers, (ii) Men are breadwinners, (iii) Men control assets, and (iv) Men are food system actors. These gender norms are widely held and challenge women’s abilities to become economically resilient. These norms are made more powerful still because they fuse with each other and act on multiple levels, and they serve to support other norms which limit women’s scope to act. It is particularly noteworthy that many institutional actors, ranging from community decision-makers to development partners, tend to reinforce rather than challenge gender norms because they do not critically review their own assumptions.

However, the four gender norms cited are not hegemonic. First, there is limited and intriguing evidence that intersectional identities can influence women’s resilience in significant ways. Second, gender norms governing women’s roles and power in agrifood systems are changing in response to climate change and other forces, with implications for how women respond to future climate shocks. Third, paying attention to local realities is important – behaviours do not necessarily substantiate local norms. Fourth, women experience strong support from other women in savings groups, religious organisations, reciprocal labour, and others. Fifth, critical moments, such as climate disasters, offer potentially pivotal moments of change which could permit women unusually high levels of agency to overcome restrictive gender norms without being negatively sanctioned. The article concludes with recommendations for further research.

Economic Resilience Intersectional Identities Women Groups Support CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA ECONOMICS RESILIENCE CLIMATE CHANGE GENDER NORMS AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS WOMEN

El precio del tratamiento de las aguas residuales

CARL ANTHONY SERVIN JUNGDORF Gabriela Mantilla Morales (2017, [Ítem publicado en memoria de congreso])

Se analiza la estructura del precio del tratamiento de aguas residuales, utilizando como modelo una planta mecanizada de lodos activados o similar, por ser este tipo de planta las que tienden a abandonarse debido al alto costo por consumo de energía. Si bien se tienen conceptos que elevan el precio, también se abre la posibilidad de incorporar operaciones que permitan generar ahorros para tener como efecto la disminución del precio, o la generación de ingresos para pagar parte o la totalidad de los costos, e inclusive tener utilidad. Se concluye que analizar integralmente el precio de tratamiento del agua residual, entendido éste como el monto que cubre la totalidad de los costos obteniendo además de generar cierto margen de utilidad, permite tener un panorama completo para establecer las políticas y acciones encaminadas a sufragar la operación del sistema de saneamiento, incluidos: la conducción, el tratamiento y la disposición y/o reúso de las aguas residuales.

Tratamiento de aguas residuales Costos y análisis de costo INGENIERÍA Y TECNOLOGÍA

Los médicos costarricenses formados en México durante el cardenismo: retorno e inserción laboral (1934-1961)

Costa Rican doctors trained in Mexico during the Cardenismo: return and labor insertion (1934-1961)

Marco Calderón-Blanco (2021, [Artículo])

El presente trabajo analiza el retorno de los estudiantes costarricenses que viajaron a México durante el cardenismo para cursar la carrera de medicina, con el fin de determinar su inserción laboral en el sistema de salud costarricense entre las décadas de 1940 y 1960. Se exploran las circunstancias que giraron alrededor del retorno y la inserción laboral de dichos profesionales. Al respecto, se evidencia que la integración a la fuerza de trabajo en el Hospital San Juan de Dios permitió un rápido ascenso en el escalafón médico. Esta dinámica posibilitó que un número considerable de los médicos tratados en el presente estudio ocupara puestos de poder en instituciones de salud costarricenses, situación que llevó a que se integraran al proceso de creación de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Costa Rica, la cual entró en funciones en el año de 1961.

The present work analyzes the return of Costa Rican students who traveled to Mexico during the cardenismo period to study medicine, in order to determine their labor insertion in the Costa Rican health system between the 1940s and 1960s. The circumstances surrounding the return and work insertion of these professionals are explored. In this regard, it is evident that the integration to the workforce of the San Juan de Dios Hospital allowed a rapid ascent in the medical ladder. This dynamic made it possible for a considerable number of the doctors treated in this study to hold positions of power in Costa Rican health institutions, a situation that led to their integration into the process of creating the University of Costa Rica’s School of Medicine, which became operational in 1961.

HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA Medicina social Médicos costarricenses Cardenismo Retorno Inserción laboral Social medicine Costa Rican doctors Lázaro Cardenas government Return Labor insertion