Just Accepted
Naturaleza y Sociedad. Desafíos Medioambientales shares with the public in this section its just accepted articles: manuscripts that have been submitted to the journal, submitted to peer review, and approved for publication. This is a preview of the articles that will soon be published, announcing title, author(s), abstract and keywords.
Passionflowers from the perspective of socio-ecological systems: an alternative for strengthen the society-nature relationship in the province of Lengupá, Boyacá (Colombia)
Karla Juliana Rodríguez Robayo, Emerson Duván Rojas Zambrano, Erika Patricia Martínez Lemus, Johan Andrés Vergara Ávila, Jaime Esneider Aguirre Rodríguez, Ginna Natalia Cruz Castiblanco, Juan Clímaco Hío.
Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria AGROSAVIA (Colombia)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53010/nys14.01
Abstract. Colombia has established itself as one of the world’s leading exporters of passionflower. A significant portion is cultivated in regions like the province of Lengupá (Boyacá, Colombia). These crops are viewed as an economic alternative that supports balancing conservation and development goals. For some time, efforts have been underway to develop production systems focused on sustainability. This article helps us understand, through the lens of socio-ecological systems, the factors that both promote and hinder progress toward sustainable production. Based on structured and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the region and passionflower producers, it is possible to identify main limitations such as a lack of knowledge about the origin of the plant material, limited technical support, the absence of soil analysis for decision-making, and the small number of certifications in good agricultural practices. However, positive aspects include the widespread recognition of ecosystem services by producers, the region’s abundant water resources, organizational capacity, the role of women in promoting the crop, and the increasing adoption of agroecological production practices.
Keywords: socio-ecological systems, Lengupá, Colombia, passion fruit, sustainability, governance.
Climate suitability of three invasive vertebrate species in protected natural areas in northeastern Mexico
Jorge E. Ramírez-Albores
Department of Botany, Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University (Mexico)
Heliot Zarza
Department of Environmental Sciences, Lerma Campus, Autonomous Metropolitan University (Mexico)
Marlín Pérez-Suárez
Institute of Agricultural and Rural Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (Mexico)
José F. González-Maya
Department of Environmental Sciences, Lerma Campus, Autonomous Metropolitan University (Mexico)
Javier Ochoa-Espinoza
Department of Renewable Natural Resources, Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University (Mexico)
Abstract. Protected Natural Areas (PNAs) are fundamental pillars for biodiversity conservation, yet they remain vulnerable to multiple pressures, particularly biological invasions driven by constant and intense human activities. The northeastern region of Mexico, encompassing Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, exhibits high biodiversity and elevated endemism, with over 80 PNAs. However, in recent years, the presence of highly invasive exotic species (IES) has been recorded in this region. This study presents a review of the issue of biological invasions through an assessment of the current and future climatic suitability of three IES: the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), feral pig (Sus scrofa), and Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) within Protected Natural Areas of northeastern Mexico. The aim is to identify high-risk invasion zones and contribute to the design of preventive management and conservation strategies. Using ecological niche modeling via the MaxEnt software, potential geographic distribution areas for these species were obtained, and zones of greatest risk within PNAs were delineated. The potential distribution of the three species was found to cover approximately 44% of the surface area of the PNAs; the most vulnerable areas correspond to Maderas del Carmen, Ocampo, and Cumbres de Monterrey. The models indicate an increase in distribution under future climate scenarios for A. lervia and S. scrofa domesticus, while S. decaocto shows a slight decrease. This study suggests the implementation of a regional monitoring and surveillance strategy for invasive exotic species to enable management actions that halt the spread of these species and mitigate their impact on the native flora and fauna of northeastern Mexico.
Keywords: Protected Natural Areas, invasive species, northeastern Mexico, modeling, ecological niche.
Towards a Colombian Amazonian Bioeconomy: Experiences of the SINCHI Institute in Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Territory
Luz Marina Mantilla Cárdenas, Gladys Inés Cardona, Marcela Piedad Carrillo Bautista, Juliana Erika Cristina Cardona Jaramillo, Kimberly Lozano Garzón, Raquel Oriana Díaz Salcedo, María Soledad Hernández Gómez
Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas SINCHI (Colombia)
Abstract. The Amazonian tropical rainforest is one of the planet’s most important biodiversity reservoirs, yet it faces threats stemming from deforestation, lack of knowledge, and limited research, innovation, and technological development capacity in the region. In this context, bioeconomy emerges as a key strategy to sustainably value and utilize biological resources, integrating modern science with the traditional knowledge of local communities. This article aims to examine the role of bioeconomy in the Colombian Amazon, based on the experiences developed by the Amazonian Institute of Scientific Research SINCHI over more than two decades of research and innovation. The methodology involves the systematization of bioeconomic management models built by the Institute, the analysis of three representative case studies in Amazonian value chains, and a comparison with other experiences across the Pan-Amazon region. This approach enables the identification of lessons learned, success factors, and limitations. The findings show that the integration of scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and traditional practices is essential to strengthen sustainable value chains, reduce pressure on forests, and generate economic alternatives for communities. Furthermore, public policy and benefit-sharing frameworks (ABS) play a critical role in consolidating fair and viable bioeconomic processes. The study concludes that bioeconomy in the Amazon not only represents an alternative for sustainable development but also a pathway to recognize the strategic value of biodiversity in the Global South. This work presents the experience of the SINCHI Institute as a practical reference in the construction of Amazonian bioeconomic models, contributing to academic and policy discussions on sustainable biodiversity management.
Keywords: bioeconomy, biodiversity, Colombia, traditional knowledge, innovation, Amazon.
Strategy for the Formulation of Microbial Inoculants as a Complement to More Sustainable Agriculture Over Time
Universidad INNCA de Colombia (Colombia)
Universidad INNCA de Colombia (Colombia)
Abstract. Microbial inoculants represent sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, contributing to the reduction of soil degradation and the enhancement of agricultural productivity. This review aims to synthesize formulation strategies that preserve the viability and effectiveness of beneficial microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi, addressing their limitations under adverse environmental conditions and their integration into sustainable agricultural practices. To systematize the information, scientific literature published between 1992 and 2025 was reviewed through searches in specialized databases (Web of Science, PubMed, NCBI, Google Scholar). Original articles, scientific reviews, and regulatory documents were selected, prioritizing studies on inoculant formulation, carriers, microbial stability, and regulation of agricultural bioinputs. The results were categorized into themes related to formulation types, encapsulation technologies, and factors affecting field performance of inoculants. Key findings include encapsulation and co-encapsulation techniques using protective metabolites, the use of solid, liquid, and biopolymer-based carriers, and the development of microbial consortia that enhance the stability and functionality of bioinoculants. Additionally, challenges were identified regarding interactions with native soil microbiota, edaphoclimatic conditions, and compatibility with conventional agricultural inputs and practices. The review highlights that the effectiveness of inoculants depends not only on the selection of efficient strains but also on their proper formulation and field application, which are critical to their performance. This article provides an updated perspective on trends and challenges in microbial inoculant formulation, emphasizing their role in the transition toward sustainable and resilient agriculture.
Keywords: formulation, biological inoculants, microorganisms, soil degradation, agriculture.
Ecological Restoration in Ethnic and Peasant Territories of Montes de María: Trajectories and Approaches to Social Participation in Projects
Abstract. In the Montes de María subregion (Colombia), various ecological restoration initiatives have aimed to enhance the connectivity of tropical dry forests and maintain ecosystem services through strategies involving rural communities. This article outlines analytical elements to understand the role of ethnic and peasant organizations and communities in this context. First, the initiatives are described from a perspective focused on social participation and the mechanisms used to incorporate this dimension. Subsequently, analytical elements developed in collaboration with members of organizations and communities in the Montes de María territory are presented. These highlight approaches centered on co-creation, the recognition of community-based conservation practices, and the visibility of organizational struggles for water, land, and autonomy. These aspects guide an initial analysis toward understanding the approaches and frameworks of social participation in ecological restoration in Montes de María, as well as a pathway for analyzing the implications of such initiatives in socio-ecological, ethnic, and peasant contexts.
Keywords: co-creation, tropical dry forest, rural communities, ecological connectivity, social participation, ecological restoration.
Narratives on Nature and the Climate Crisis: An Analysis from Relationality in Response to Hierarchical and Exclusionary Dualisms of the Anthropocene/Capitalocene
Complutense University of Madrid (Spain)
Abstract. In the context of the climate crisis and ongoing debates surrounding the Anthropocene/Capitalocene, this article examines dominant narratives and discourses about nature from a necessarily incomplete, partial, and situated theoretical and sociohistorical perspective. Moving beyond the dichotomy between organicist and mechanistic metaphors, the analysis focuses on how a certain “reinvention of nature” is being shaped through contributions from diverse ethnographic, theoretical, and political experiences. These are closely linked to critiques of hierarchical and exclusionary dualisms that have legitimized domination over the bodies, voices, and territories of otherness and difference. Finally, as a pathway to address the complexity and uncertainty of contemporary environmental challenges, this work seeks to highlight the potential of anthropology as a decolonizing theory-practice that fosters the discernment of active and dynamic agencies within interdependent networks that co-inhabit and co-constitute with the technological and the social.
Keywords: nature, culture, dualisms, relationality, sociohistorical.
Allometric Model for Estimating Biomass and Stored Carbon in Cashew Trees (Anacardium occidentale) in Agroecosystems of Vichada, Colombia
Fundación Cataruben (Colombia)
Fundación Cataruben (Colombia)
Abstract. Climate change represents one of the main contemporary environmental challenges, driven by the increase in greenhouse gases resulting from human activities. In this context, nature-based solutions offer effective alternatives for mitigation, such as carbon sequestration through agroforestry systems. This study presents the development of a specific allometric model to estimate aboveground biomass and stored carbon in cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale L.) within agroecosystems in the Vichada department, Colombia. A total of 62 plots were established across age strata, where dendrometric variables were collected, including trunk diameter at 30 cm above ground (D30), total height, and crown diameter. Based on these measurements, a polynomial regression model with logarithmic transformations was constructed, selecting the following final expression: LN(BA)=−3.777+3.158⋅LN(D30)−0.118⋅(LN(D30))2.\text{LN(BA)} = -3.777 + 3.158 \cdot \text{LN(D30)} - 0.118 \cdot (\text{LN(D30)})^2.The model showed a high degree of fit (adjusted R² = 0.99) and low standard deviation, ensuring its applicability in similar contexts. A biomass expansion factor of 1.895 was adopted for carbon estimation, based on specialized literature. The results highlight the potential of cashew as a carbon sink, positioning it as a strategic species for ecological restoration programs and carbon credit generation. This work contributes to strengthening technical tools for quantifying removals in afforestation and reforestation projects.
Keywords: Allometric equation, aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, regression equation, Anacardium occidentale L.
The São Paulo Experience through the Voice of Carlos Joly: From Scientific Research to Public Management and Communication for Environmental Conservation
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo and Universidad Nacional de Río Negro (Argentina)
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil)
Abstract. Environmental issues and tensions arising from productive developments are topics that require thorough analysis within the environmental and climate change agenda in Latin America. The articulation between science, public management, and local communities is essential for the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of environmental public policies aimed at reducing biodiversity loss in the region. Based on a dialogue with biologist, researcher, and renowned ecologist Carlos Joly, this article presents an experience in Brazil as a model case for conservation and restoration policies of the Atlantic Forest and its ecosystems. The specialist highlights the complexity of factors involved in this issue, which determine the continuity or disruption of environmental policies in response to political circumstances and legislative changes. In this regard, the interview delves into restoration actions carried out in municipalities of São Paulo, as well as sectoral controversies related to Brazil’s productive matrix, possible alternatives, and the debate agenda for COP30. Furthermore, the exchange underscores the importance of communicating science beyond academia, along with postgraduate training and outreach strategies for environmental awareness and preservation.
Keywords: biodiversity, conservation ecology, public policies, science communication, BIOTA/FAPESP Project.