Social Aspects
Socioecological transition in the Cauca river valley, Colombia (1943–2010): towards an energy–landscape integrated analysisBackgroundGlobally, agroecosytems are facing signficant challenges due to socio-ecological trends in which they are pressured to intensify in order to meat growing economic demands while also attempting to avoid the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services typically associated with agricultural intensification. This study uses the Cauca river valley in Colombia as a case-study in order to investigate the land use change and the ways human disturbance in agroecosystems are associated with landscape processes. 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 |
Native trees and shrubs for the productive rehabilitation of tropical cattle ranching landsBackgroundLatin America, much like the rest of the rest of the world, has experienced significant deforestation rates. In this region, the primary driver has been large-scale land conversion to unsustainable uses, like industrial cattle ranching and agriculture. This article recognizes the deep-rootedness of cattle in Latin American economies and cultures, yet stresses the need to shift the paradigm by adopting intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) that utilize native species. Available with subscription or purchase |
A local perspective on drivers and measures to slow deforestation in the Andean-Amazonian foothills of ColombiaBackgroundThe Andean-Amazonian foothills in Colombia are highly valuable economically, ecologically, and socially, yet they continue to be under extreme threat of deforestation. This study aims to identify drivers and trends of this deforestation, using a unique methodological approach, seeking to compliment past monitoring studies with on-the-ground information. 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 |
Toward a post‐conflict Colombia: restoring to the futureBackgroundAfter emerging from over 60 years of armed conflict, Colombia is positioned to pursue ecological restoration. Through this pursuit, the country will restore ecosystem services that were severly impaired, thus restoring both natural and social capital that can actively contribute to the peace-building process. Moreover, the Colombian government has also undertaken national and international engagements that commit to reforesting and restoring the country's ecosystem. This article provides suggested goals and guidelines to aid in these ambitious restoration efforts. 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 |
