Colombia
Getting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buckBackgroundMangrove forest restoration projects have a range of benefits, like carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, that are important for different stakeholders. An analysis of the economic benefits and returns of mangrove restoration at country-level scales can encourage future support from these key investors and decision makers. Open access copy available |
Drivers of global mangrove loss and gain in social-ecological systemsBackgroundThe gain and loss of mangrove forests worldwide depends on both biophysical factors and socioeconomic factors. With global mangrove cover decreasing since the 1990s and biophysical pressures on mangrove forests (i.e., shoreline erosion, extreme weather events) increasing due to climate change, it is important to understand which forms of national conservation policies, programs, governance, and local economic activity most rapidly reverse the rate of loss of mangrove forests. Open access copy available |
The status of forest carbon markets in Latin AmericaBackground:Latin America (LATAM) hosts some of the world’s largest tropical forests, which provide significant carbon sequestration and a major share of global forest carbon credits. Despite these benefits, deforestation and forest degradation remain critical issues. Forest carbon markets, both compliance and voluntary, have emerged as key mechanisms to finance conservation, reduce emissions, and enhance climate resilience. Open access copy available |
Current trends and future directions for integrating social values into mangrove restorationBackgroundDifferent communication styles, governance, and social issues create barriers to successful mangrove forest restoration projects, and may hinder the ability to scale up projects to meet global restoration goals. Incorporating social values and stakeholder preferences into restoration projects can help identify best management practices, promote successful outcomes, and prevent distrust and inequality between restoration practitioners and stakeholders with different needs and perceptions of mangrove forests. Open access copy available |
The drivers and impacts of Amazon forest degradationBackgroundThis research examines the growing threat of forest degradation across the Amazon, a region critical to global carbon balance and biodiversity. Beyond deforestation, widespread disturbances such as fire, edge effects, selective logging, and extreme drought have emerged as major causes of ecological and social disruption. These human-driven stressors, intensified by climate change, now affect approximately 2.5 million km²—around 38% of remaining Amazon forests—posing risks comparable to deforestation itself. Open access copy available |
Nitrogen Fixing Trees for Animal Production on Acid SoilsBackgroundNitrogen-fixing trees play a crucial role in improving pasture and livestock systems on acid soils, which are prevalent in tropical regions. Acid soils often challenge agricultural productivity due to low fertility and high aluminum toxicity. Nitrogen-fixing trees, such as Erythrina poeppigiana, Cratylia argentea, and Alnus acuminata, enhance soil chemistry and fertility by adding nitrogen through organic matter and improving physical soil properties like porosity and bulk density. They are integrated into silvopastoral systems, where trees and shrubs coexist with pastures, offering multiple benefits such as soil stabilization, increased forage quality, and diversified farm outputs. Open access copy available |
Characterizing a tropical deforestation wave: a dynamic spatial analysis of a deforestation hotspot in the Colombian AmazonBACKGROUND:Tropical forests, which harbor most of the Earth’s biodiversity, are rapidly diminishing due to land cover changes driven by human activities. This deforestation is particularly severe in concentrated areas, such as the Amazon Basin and Southeast Asia, where human population and resource use increase the likelihood of land clearing. The study focuses on understanding the spatial dynamics of land cover change in a deforestation hotspot in the Colombian Amazon. GOALS AND METHODS: Full resource not available online |
Restoring soil carbon and chemical properties through silvopastoral adoption in the Colombian Amazon regionBackground:The traditional livestock production in this region causes the loss of forest areas each year, leading to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity. Silvopastoral systems have become an attractive alternative with positive effects for the environment, society, and the regional economy. The study was conducted in two counties in the northwestern Colombian Amazon, which are representative of the hilly landscape typical for Silvopastoral systems implementation. Available with subscription or purchase |
The Embedded Agroecology of Coffee Agroforestry: A Contextualized Review of Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption and ResistanceBackgroundAgroforestry crops are known to provide many benefits to both people and nature. Implementing agroforestry practices can be complex and requires improvement in certain regions and practices. Coffee agroforestry is not widely adopted and there is a lack of knowledge about the implementation of agroforestry techniques for coffee production. Goals and MethodsThe authors conduct a literature review including coffee production in Colombia, Malawi, and Uganda to understand their perceptions of coffee agroforestry, decisions on implementation, local policies, and capacity to adopt new practices. Open access copy available |
Disrupted montane forest recovery hinders biodiversity conservation in the tropical AndesBackgroundIn the U.N. Decade on Restoration, recovering degraded forests is a high priority. Andean montane forests are a biodiversity hotspot, storing large quantities of carbon, and providing many sources for human livelihood. Many parts of the Andean forests are recovering after agriculture abandonment, but it is not yet known how the dynamics of these recovery processes progress over time. Knowledge of forest regeneration trajectory is crucial for further restoration planning. Open access copy available |
