General
The ecology of peace: preparing Colombia for new political and planetary climatesBackgroundWritten in 2018, this article recognizes that Colombia is emerging from a decades long conflict and this newfound social peace will have ecological and environmental effects. The authors aim to examine how the current, stable state of Colombia along with the continuing changes in global climate may shape both the ecological character and biodiversity of the country. They do so by first reviewing the socio-political state of Colombia and then go on to identify challenges in research and policy and discuss management decisions in the country that may lead to beneficial outcomes. Open access copy available |
Greening peace in ColombiaBackgroundWritten in 2017, this article reviews the connection between Colombia's recent peace agreement after 50 years of conflict and the country's immense biodiversity. Given the social peace, the forests of Colombia are now more prone for development, specifically the increase of both official and unofficial road and infrustructures, which could have a detrimental affect on wildlife and ecosystem services. This article seeks to outline the challenges and opportunities that Colombia faces to integrate forest biodiversity conservation into economic development. Available with subscription or purchase |
Partnering with cattle ranchers for forest landscape restorationBackgroundIn order to address land degradation due to agricultural expansion and intensification throughout Latin America, silvopastoral systems are being promoted as a forest landscape restoration (FLR) approach. Yet, the success of these strategies rely on ranchers voluntary participation and full adoption at a regional scale. The author recognizes a knowledge gap in regards to why ranchers are driven to adopt silvopastoral systems and thus seeks to understand this issue through the examination of a cast study in Colombia. Open access copy available |
Pastures and Cash Crops: Biomass Flows in the Socio-Metabolic Transition of Twentieth-Century Colombian AgricultureBackgroundThe authors acknowledge that the appropriation of biomass worldwide has significantly increased over the twentieth century, primarily due to the expansion of industrial agriculture. These trends have caused detrimental issues, including soil erosion, a decline in biodiversity, damage to human health, and deforestation. Using Colombia as a case-study, this article presents a long-term estimation of biomass flows. Open access copy available |
Before Bonn and beyond: the history and future of forest landscape restorationBackgroundThis article presents an overview of the history of restoration at an international scale. It begins with the origins of forestry in 1990s and goes to the landmark decision in 2011 to establish the Bonn Challenge. The authors focus specifically on the emergence of forest landscape restoration and how this concept has evolved over time. Open access copy available |
Forest Landscape Restoration: Progress in the Last Decade and Remaining ChallengesBackgroundDefined in 2000, forest landscape restoration (FLR) has recently been actively promoted as a means to provide both ecolocial and societal benefits. This article aims to reflect on the evolution of FLR since 2000, using a framework of 13 key issues put forth in 2005. It identifies both progress and challenges and provides suggestions for steps forward. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoring tropical forests from the bottom upBackgroundWritten in 2017, this article acknowledges that numerous countries around the world have committed to restoring large areas of forest in the next decade or so. Given these challenging targets, the authors seeks to understand how they can be met given competing land uses. She draws on several case studies to answer this broad question, including ones from Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Open access copy available |
Strategic Insights for Capacity Development on Forest Landscape Restoration: Implications for Addressing Global CommitmentsBackgroundGlobal initiatives, like the Aichi Targets and Bonn Challenge, have recognized capacity development as a key strategy in achieving the large-scale restoration goals, particularly those that utilize the complex forest landscape restoration (FLR) approach. Still though, the concept of capacity development is largely undefined. This article seeks to answer key questions in regards to integrating capacity development strategies into FLR projects. Open access copy available |
Banco de semillas del suelo y su papel en la recuperación de los bosques tropicales (Soil seed banks and its role in tropical forest recovery)EspañolantecedentesEntender los factores que determinan la regeneración natural en el trópico es crucial para la planificación y dirección de esfuerzos de restauración exitosos. objetivos y metodologíaEl estudio presenta una descripción sobre el significado y la importancia del banco de semillas en el trópico, de sus características, de los factores determinantes para su existencia y de su aporte en la restauración y conservación. Open access copy available |
Ecological restoration success is higher for natural regeneration than for active restoration in tropical forestsbackgroundThis meta-analysis of 133 studies challenges the widely-held notion that active restoration methods are more effective at ecosystem restoration and hold higher conservation value than natural regeneration. Given the vast commitments for ecosystem restoration across the globe, and the high cost, effort, and resources needed for these commitments, this study proposes that increasing use of natural regeneration and assisted natural regeneration is necessary to achieve these commitments. Open access copy available |
