Diets of leaf litter-associated invertebrates in three tropical streams

Shredders play a major ecological role in temperate streams, but their numerical importance is highly variable within the tropics. Detailed studies on the diets of tropical stream invertebrates are advisable to be able to better describe and understand this variation. Here, we examined the diets of invertebrates collected from the leaf litter of three tropical streams in Colombia, using gut content analysis. Fine and coarse particulate organic matter were the main food resources for invertebrates, which could be divided into four main dietary groups: predators, shredders, specialist collectors and generalist collectors. While the specialist collectors were the most numerically abundant group (54%), shredder biomass accounted for 63% of total invertebrate biomass, suggesting that shredders play a significant ecological role in the study streams. We describe the diets of 12 out of 47 taxa that were previously unknown, which indicates that knowledge about the feeding ecology of tropical stream invertebrates is still incipient. © 2012 EDP Sciences.Peer Reviewe

Effect of different genotypes of Tithonia diversifolia on fermentation of feed mixtures with Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandú

Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) is a shrub used for animal feed that has outstanding agronomic and chemical characteristics. Its potential to modify the dynamics of fermentation and improve the supply of nutrients to ruminants has received considerable attention. This study was designed to determine the effect of different genotypes of T. diversifolia on ruminal fermentation and degradation of dry matter (DM), concentration of volatile fatty acids, and production of methane (CH4) when mixed with a low-quality tropical grass, Urochloa brizantha (palisade grass). In a randomised complete block design, mixtures of seven genotypes of T. diversifolia with U. brizantha cv. Marandú were evaluated by using the in vitro gas production technique. The effect of fertilisation was also evaluated for each genotype. Inclusion of T. diversifolia significantly (P < 0.05) increased the supply of nutrients and modified fermentation parameters. DM degradation of biomass after 72 h was greater in the presence of T. diversifolia than for feeds based only on U. brizantha (68.0% vs 63.4%; P < 0.01). CH4 production was lower (P < 0.05) during fermentation with some T. diversifolia genotypes (25.3 vs 27.7 mg CH4 g–1 incubated DM), and the acetic:propionic acid ratio was also lower. Fertilisation of T. diversifolia genotypes increased DM degradation, increased the content of certain nutrients (e.g. crude protein) and modified CH4 production. Therefore, inclusion of T. diversifolia in mixtures based on low-quality tropical grasses such as U. brizantha increases the supply of nutrients (crude protein, minerals, energy) and can modify the products of enteric fermentation, with some genotypes decreasing enteric CH4 emissions

Eficacia del programa de reintegración en el departamento del cauca 2003-2015

The following article evidences achievements of the program of attention to population demobilized from illegal armed groups performed by the Colombian Agency for Reintegration in the Department of Cauca between 2003 and 2015. In order to establish the efficacy of institutional intervention and coherence with national law in matters of reintegration, the methodological design is based on documental analysis of the Colombian laws governing attention to reintegrated population, and analysis of aggregated statistical data provided by the Colombian Agency for Reintegration, in order to evidence the progress of such attention program in axles such as educative formation, reintegration to the civilian life, and promotion of productive undertakings, everything within a context of growing inclusion of demobilized population into the program in the Department of Cauca, a department undergoing presence of many illegal armed actors.El siguiente artículo busca evidenciar los logros del programa de atención a la población desmovilizada de grupos armados ilegales adelantado por la Agencia Colombiana para la Reintegración en el departamento del Cauca entre los años 2003 al 2015, con el ánimo de establecer la eficacia de la intervención institucional y la coherencia con la legislación nacional en materia de reintegración de excombatientes a la sociedad civil y la garantía de sus derechos a partir de los reportes de ejecución de la Agencia Colombiana para la Reintegració

Diseño y documentación de un sistema de gestión de calidad, basado en el modelo de la norma ISO 9001 : 2000, para los procesos de prestación de servicios de la compañía mercadogar, ubicada en el barrio Tunjuelito.

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Sistemas silvopastoriles y su contribución al uso eficiente de los recursos y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible: Evidencia desde América Latina

Este documento representa el esfuerzo conjunto entre dos redes de acción de la Agenda Global: (i) Cerrando la brecha de la eficiencia y (ii) la Red Global en Sistemas Silvopastoriles. Un marco de referencia para evaluar el uso de los recursos naturales es aplicado a una variedad de modelos de producción silvopastoril para determinar su productividad y sus beneficios socioeconómicos y ambientales. Se presenta una visión general de los SSP, sus principales características y ventajas en términos productivos, ambientales y climáticos, y su contribución a los ODS, describiendo los resultados de diez estudios de caso de adopción de sistemas silvopastoriles en diversos contextos en Colombia, México, y Argentina, concentrándose en la productividad de la tierra, producción de carne y leche, y desempeño económico a nivel de finca. Basados en los resultados, se presentan recomendaciones de política pública que sirvan para el escalamiento y promoción de los SSP en Latinoamérica y otras regiones.EEA Santa CruzFil: Chará, Julián. Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria (CIPAV); Colombia.Fil: Reyes, Ernesto. Red internacional Agri Benchmark; Alemania.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Otte, Joachim. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; ItaliaFil: Arce, E. Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock; ItaliaFil: Schneider, Fritz. Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock; Itali

Sensitivity of Elmidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) to habitat disturbance and physicochemical water quality in lotic environments of the colombian Andes

Introducción: Los élmidos son organismos acuáticos frecuentemente asociados con aguas corrientes, limpias y bien oxigenadas. Sin embargo, algunos géneros de esta familia también se encuentran en aguas moderadamente contaminadas, lo cual puede ser un reflejo de su tolerancia a algún grado de deterioro del hábitat. Objetivo: Determinar la sensibilidad o tolerancia a la contaminación y los principales factores que influyen en la presencia y composición taxonómica de Elmidae en microcuencas colombianas. Métodos: Se muestrearon 60 localidades entre 450 y 4000 msnm, principalmente en la región Andina, los muestreos se realizaron entre 2002 y 2013 con 70 eventos no simultáneos en cinco zonas. En un transecto de 100 m, se registraron datos físico-químicos, bacteriológicos y de calidad del hábitat (ICH), se hicieron arrastres con red D y Surber, y se determinaron los géneros de Elmidae. Se realizó un Análisis de Correspondencia Canónica entre las variables ambientales y la composición de Elmidae, las relaciones significativas se confirmaron con una prueba de Mantel y se realizó una prueba Mantel parcial incluyendo la ubicación geográfica como tercera matriz. Se calcularon los Índices de Contaminación ICOs y de Calidad de Agua ICA-FSN y se definieron intervalos de aparición de géneros para variables ambientales e índices. Para obtener las significancias estadísticas, se realizaron Análisis de Varianza ANOVA, pruebas t de Student y Modelos Lineales Generalizados MLG con distribución Poisson. Resultados: Se encontraron 22 géneros y 15 especies que representan el 78.5 % de la riqueza nacional conocida. Tyletelmis y las especies Gyrelmis pusio, G. simplex, Xenelmis sandersoni, X. leechi, X. granatoides y X. teres, corresponden a nuevos registros para Colombia. Los principales factores que influyeron en la riqueza y composición de Elmidae fueron: saturación de oxígeno, deposición de sedimentos, sólidos suspendidos, disponibilidad de sustratos, altura, ubicación geográfica, conductividad, alcalinidad, turbidez, nitratos, nitrógeno amoniacal y fósforo. Conclusiones: Los géneros de Elmidae difieren en su tolerancia a la contaminación y, por lo tanto, no pueden ser clasificados bajo el mismo grado de sensibilidad. Esta información puede ser útil para la clasificación de los géneros de Elmidae de acuerdo con su sensibilidad a los cambios en las condiciones ambientales y la degradación del hábitat, lo cual será un primer paso para la incorporación en un índice biótico de calidad de agua adaptado para las condiciones locales o el ajuste de los índices preexistentes.Riffle beetles are aquatic organisms frequently associated with well-oxygenated clean running water. However, some genera of Elmidae can also be found in moderately polluted streams proving their tolerance to certain degree of habitat degradation. To determine the pollution sensitivity and tolerance of each genus of Elmidae in Colombian streams, and the main factors that influence its presence and taxonomic composition. Methods: Sixty locations between 450 and 4 000 m.a.s.l. were sampled, mainly in the Andean Region of Colombia. Collection was carried out between 2002 and 2013 with 70 non-simultaneous events in five zones. In a 100 m transect, physicochemical, bacteriological and environmental quality information was recorded. Samples of Elmidae were collected with D and Surber nets and determined taxonomically. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis of the Elmidae assembly and environmental data was carried out, significant relationships were confirmed with a Mantel test and a partial Mantel test was carried out including the geographic location as the third matrix. The Pollution (ICO) and Water Quality (ICA-NSF) Indices were calculated, and the occurrence intervals by genus were plotted for environmental variables and indices. Analysis of Variance ANOVA, Student?s t-test and Generalized Linear Models GLM with Poisson distribution, were calculated in order to establish the significance of the results.Twenty-two genera and 15 species were found in the evaluated streams; which represent 78.5 % of known national generic richness. Tyletelmis and the species Gyrelmis pusio, G. simplex, Xenelmis sandersoni, X. leechi, X. granatoides and X. teres correspond to new records for Colombia. The most important factors influencing the presence and composition of Elmidae were: oxygen saturation, sediment deposition, suspended solids, epifaunal substrate availability, altitude and geographic location, conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, nitrates, ammonia nitrogen and phosphorus. The genera of Elmidae differ in their tolerance to contamination and therefore cannot be classified in the same degree of sensitivity. This information can be useful for classifying genera of Elmidae according to their sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions and habitat degradation, which will be a first step to incorporate Elmidae in water quality biotic indices adapted to local conditions or to adjust preexisting indicesFil: Gonzalez Cordoba, Marcela. Universidad del Valle; Colombia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina. Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria; ColombiaFil: Zúñiga, María del Carmen. Universidad del Valle; Colombia. Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria; ColombiaFil: Giraldo, Lina Paola. Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria; ColombiaFil: Ramírez, Yuly Paulina. Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria; ColombiaFil: Chará, Julián. Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria; Colombi

Effect of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray intake on in vivo methane (CH4) emission and milk production in dual-purpose cows in the Colombian Amazonian piedmont

The inclusion of Tithonia diversifolia in pasture-based diets is a promising alternative to increase bovine productivity, due to its chemical compo sition and wide adaptation, but there are few in vivo studies to determine its effect on methane yield and animal production in grazing systems. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the T. diversifolia inclusion in a basal diet of Brachiaria humidicola on methane (CH4) emissions by enteric fermentation, and on milk yield and quality in dual-purpose cows. The polytunnel technique was used for the determination of methane yield and two diets were evaluated (Diet 1: Brachiaria humidicola 100%; Diet 2: T. diversifolia 15% + B. humidicola 85% dry matter basis) in the moderate rainy and rainy seasons using a cross-over experimental design; milk production was measured by daily milk weighing, and milk quality was determined using a LACTOSCAN analyzer. The inclusion of T. diversifolia did not increase the dry matter intake (P = 0.369), but increased the intake of crude protein and minerals, and reduced fiber intake, resulting in the increased yield of milk and its components in the moderate rainy season (P = 0.012). The inclusion of T. diversifolia reduced the absolute CH4 emissions (P = 0.016), Ym and emission intensity (per unit of fat, protein and kilogram fat and protein corrected milk yields) both in the moderate rainy and rainy seasons (P < 0.05). We conclude that the inclusion of T. diversifolia in the forage feed base in the humid tropics such as the Amazon piedmont can be used as a tool to both mitigate enteric CH4 emissions and to increase animal productivity and hence reduce emissions intensity, and thus reduce pressure on the agricultural frontier in critical areas such as the Amazon

Propuesta de mejora en el procedimiento de evaluación del desempeño laboral en la empresa Electroingeniería S.A.S. de Tuluá - Valle para el año 2020

La Evaluación del Desempeño Laboral (EDL) es un proceso muy importante que consiste en integrar los elementos más importantes para medir el desempeño individual de los empleados, alineando sus actividades diarias e identificando sus fortalezas y debilidades para tener un buen desempeño y productividad en el trabajo. Por tal motivo, se realiza una propuesta para mejorar este proceso en la empresa Electroingeniería SAS de la ciudad de Tuluá, para este año 2020. Se usarán métodos e instrumentos cualitativos, como una encuesta a los empleados, para conocer el nivel de satisfacción y cuánto es la aceptación frente a los procesos actuales en la empresa. Este proceso va a ayudar a los empleados a tener un desempeño óptimo en la empresa y a reconocer el logro de las metas organizacionales, promoviendo el desarrollo y la calidad de vida de los empleados.The Assessment of the Labor Performance (ALP) is a very important process that consists in integrate the most important elements for measuring the individual performance of employers, aligning their daily activities and identifying their strengths and weakness for having a good performance and productivity in the job. For this reason, it was created a proposal to improve this process in the company Electroingenieria SAS of Tuluá city, for this year 2020. It will be used methods and qualitative instruments such as a poll to employers to know the satisfaction level and how much is the acceptance in front of the current processes in the company. This process is going to help the employees to have an optimize performance in the company and recognize the attainment of the organizational goals, promoting the development and quality of life of the employees

Integrating climate mitigation and environmental peacebuilding objectives through sustainable land use systems: Theory of change and indicators

Land is an essential natural resource for climate mitigation and peace. It is commonly connected with sources of GHG emissions and with drivers of (violent) conflict. Therefore, climate mitigation and peacebuilding strategies are co-designing sustainable land-use systems (SLUS) with affected communities to integrate land-based climate mitigation and peacebuilding objectives. SLUS is practiced within agricultural production systems that meet sustainability principles (environmental, social, and economic). Nevertheless, there needs to be more program evaluation frameworks, especially measurable indicators, that integrate these two objectives (achieving peace and climate mitigation). This study aims to develop a methodology and criteria to evaluate the precise mechanisms of SLUS influencing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and drivers of conflict. A mix-method approach was used in two case study regions, Cesar and Caquetá, Colombia, where SLUS strategies where implemented. First, we conducted three workshops, two in-person and one virtual (n = 103). Secondly, we held semi-structured interviews (n = 115) to make an analysis of the conflict. Our research focused on the drivers of land-based emissions and conflict drivers targeted by the SLUS implementation. Lastly, through a household survey (n = 929), we illustrated the impacts of SLUS in peacebuilding at the farm level. Results show that SLUS, such as cocoa agroforestry, can contribute to climate change mitigation and deliver co-benefits in four core factors: (i) socio-economic inclusion by creating jobs and diversifying livelihoods, (ii) dialogue and conflict transformation by allowing negotiations around the participatory design of farms, including conservation agreements, (iii) natural resource governance, and (iv) cooperation by creating knowledge exchange and a community of practice

Benefits of Leucaena diversifolia in grazing steer’s diet: performance, methane and fatty acids

Leucaena diversifolia (Ld) is a legume species that has received little attention in terms of its nutritive value, methane (CH4) emissions, and impact on meat quality. To address this gap, a study was conducted to compare the performance, CH4 emissions, and fatty acid content of steers grazing on a monoculture of tropical grass Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman versus a combination of Cayman and Ld. Over a period of 15 months, 14 Angus crossbred steers weighing an average of 374±7.5 kg were used in the study, with half of them grazing only Cayman grass and the other half grazing on a combination of Cayman and Ld at a ratio of 74:26. Live weight gain was recorded and CH4 emissions were measured after the animal productivity test. Meat quality and fatty acid profiles were measured after the steers were slaughtered. The results showed that steers grazing on a combination of Cayman and Ld consumed more dry matter, crude protein, and energy per day than those grazing on grass alone, and this difference was still evident when digestibility was considered (P≤0.05). Moreover, animals grazing on a combination of Cayman and Ld weighed an average of 63 kg more at the end of the experiment compared to those grazing only Cayman (466 vs. 403 kg; P≤0.05). Interestingly, animals that consumed only Cayman grass emitted more CH4 than those that included Ld in their diet (168 vs. 144 g/d; P≥0.05). The total polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acid concentrations in the meat did not differ between the two groups (P≥0.05). In conclusion, incorporating Ld in the diet of grazing steers can increase nutrient intake (protein and energy) and animal productivity without affecting daily net CH4 emissions or fatty acid concentrations in the meat. This study sheds light on the potential benefits of legume inclusion in animal diets and highlights the need for further research in this area