Shrub facilitation increases plant diversity along an arid scrubland-temperate rainforest boundary in South America

Theoretical models predict nurse plant facilitation enhances species richness by ameliorating stressful environmental conditions and expanding distributional ranges of stress-intolerant species into harsh environments. We studied the role of nurse facilitation on the recruitment of perennial plants along an arid scrubland–temperate rain forest boundary to test the following predictions: (1) nurse shrub canopy increases seedling abundance and species richness along the rain forest–scrubland boundary; (2) scrubland species are less dependent on facilitative interactions than temperate rain forest species, especially at the moister, upper end of the gradient

Combining interactive GIS tools and expert knowledge in validation of tree species models

Poster presented at XIII Congreso Forestal Mundial. FAO, Buenos Aires (Argentina). 18-25 Oct 200

Linking genebanks and farmers to urban high-value markets - The case of chili peppers in Peru and Bolivia [Poster]

Poster presented at Tropentag Conference. Stuttgart-Hohenheim (Germany), 17-19 Sep 201

De ideale zorgboerderij met dieren

Onderzoeker Reina Ferwerda onderzoekt welke ervaringen biologische en gangbare zorgboeren hebben met kinderen met stoornissen in het autistisch spectrum (ASS), hoe ze hun dieren inzetten, hun bedrijf inrichten en waar ze tegenaan lopen. Daarvoor gaat ze bij zorgboerderijen langs

Training manual on spatial analysis of plant diversity and distribution

This training manual is intended for scientists and students who work with biodiversity data and are interested in developing skills to effectively carry out spatial analysis based on (free) GIS applications with a focus on diversity and ecological analyses. These analyses offer a better understanding of spatial patterns of plant diversity and distribution, helping to improve conservation efforts. The training manual focuses on plants of interest for improving livelihoods (e.g. crops, trees and crop wild relatives) and/or those which are endangered. Spatial analyses of interspecific and intraspecific diversity are explained using different types of data: • species presence • morphological characterization data • molecular data Although this training focuses on plant diversity, many of the types of analyses described can also be applied for other organisms such as animals and fungi. The manual is based on specific exercises, based on real project data. In order to use the manual, you will also need to download (please click on reference material to download exercises) the relevant exercise data (listed below). Exercise data: 2.1 Importing observation data 5.2 Diversity - Phenotypic data 2.2 Importing climate data 5.3 Diversity - Molecular marker data 3.1 Basic elements 5.4 Conservation strategies 3.2 Export to Google Earth 6.1 Realized niche 4.1 Quality control – Administrative units 6.2_potential_distribution.zip 4.2 Quality control – Atypical points 6.3 Climate change 5.1 Species diversity 6.4 Gap analysis The manual can be used for self-learning as well as for training events like seminars or short courses on the fundamentals of spatial analysis

The future of coffee and cocoa agroforestry in a warmer Mesoamerica

Climate change threatens cofee production and the livelihoods of thousands of families in Mesoamerica that depend on it. Replacing cofee with cocoa and integrating trees in combined agroforestry systems to ameliorate abiotic stress are among the proposed alternatives to overcome this challenge. These two alternatives do not consider the vulnerability of cocoa and tree species commonly used in agroforestry plantations to future climate conditions. We assessed the suitability of these alternatives by identifying the potential changes in the distribution of cofee, cocoa and the 100 most common agroforestry trees found in Mesoamerica. Here we show that cocoa could potentially become an alternative in most of cofee vulnerable areas. Agroforestry with currently preferred tree species is highly vulnerable to future climate change. Transforming agroforestry systems by changing tree species composition may be the best approach to adapt most of the cofee and cocoa production areas. Our results stress the urgency for land use planning considering climate change efects and to assess new combinations of agroforestry species in cofee and cocoa plantations in Mesoamerica

Decision-Making to Diversify Farm Systems for Climate Change Adaptation

On-farm diversification is a promising strategy for farmers to adapt to climate change. However, few recommendations exist on how to diversify farm systems in ways that best fit the agroecological and socioeconomic challenges farmers face. Farmers' ability to adopt diversification strategies is often stymied by their aversion to risk, loss of local knowledge, and limited access to agronomic and market information, this is especially the case for smallholders. We outline seven steps on how practitioners and researchers in agricultural development can work with farmers in decision-making about on-farm diversification of cropping, pasture, and agroforestry systems while taking into account these constraints. These seven steps are relevant for all types of farmers but particularly for smallholders in tropical and subtropical regions. It is these farmers who are usually most vulnerable to climate change and who are, subsequently, often the target of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) interventions. Networks of agricultural innovation provide an enabling environment for on-farm diversification. These networks connect farmers and farmer organizations with local, national, or international private companies, public organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and research institutes. These actors can work with farmers to develop diversified production systems incorporating both high-value crops and traditional food production systems. These diversified farm systems with both food and cash crops act as a safety net in the event of price fluctuations or other disruptions to crop value chains. In this way, farmers can adapt their farm systems to climate change in ways that provide greater food security and improved income