A5027895136- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant and soil sciences
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Organic Food and Agriculture
- Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development
- Global trade, sustainability, and social impact
- Agricultural and Food Production Studies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- Coffee research and impacts
- Date Palm Research Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Environmental and Ecological Studies
Universidad del Valle
2015-2024
Universidad del Valle
2022
Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria
2018
University of Göttingen
2015
University of Cauca
2010
University of Michigan
2003-2006
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
2006
Abstract 1. Intensive agricultural practices drive biodiversity loss with potentially drastic consequences for ecosystem services. To advance conservation and production goals, should be compatible biodiversity. Traditional or less intensive systems (i.e. fewer agrochemicals, mechanisation, more crop species) such as shaded coffee cacao agroforests are highlighted their ability to provide a refuge may also enhance certain functions predation). 2. Ants an important predator group in tropical...
Abstract The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems ( https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/our-work/biodiversity/predicts.html )—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database comparable samples biodiversity multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base develop global and regional statistical models how local responds these measures....
Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction alien species. Existing global databases species' threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic The collation datasets with broad taxonomic biogeographic extents, that support computation a range biodiversity indicators, is necessary enable better understanding historical declines project - avert future declines. We...
A pattern noted in ecology is that diversity at one level begets other levels. In the case of consumers competing for similar resources, those resources thought to provide some degree niche diversification which a diverse set consumer species can coexist. If, however, are not sufficiently distinct from another, standpoint species, such will exist. We experimentally show array twigs attracted 80% more twig-nesting ants than monospecific collection twigs. The specific tree were derived did...
Leaf-cutting ants, being the principal herbivores and ecosystem engineers in Neotropics, have been considered to be a keystone species natural ecosystems agroecosystems, due direct indirect effects of their plant defoliation activities. This review summarizes current concepts biological ecological importance leaf-cutting ants. The ants' pest status is briefly assessed from both evolutionary points view. A general overview control measures provided. ants evolved physical, symbiotic...
Abstract: Coffee agroecosystems have recently undergone a dramatic intensification in Colombia, megadiverse country, especially terms of the nature shade cover. We tested for changes composition, ecological associations, and diversity ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) along gradient coffee production Colombian Andes. surveyed 16 farms two regions, classified into four management types: (1) forest (no agriculture), (2) organic polygeneric shaded coffee, (3) monogeneric (4) sun (unshaded). Forty...
Abstract Soil‐dwelling ants, many of which are generalist predators, more diverse in shaded than sun coffee plantations without trees. We compared ant predation on the berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) three and Apía, Colombia, both wet dry seasons. found that H. adults exposed to ants for 5 days suffered higher removal season. In laboratory, we observed killed 74–99% over course days. Ants appear be important predators , particularly
Abstract Riparian vegetation has great functional importance in agroscapes because it establishes physical connections between natural ecosystems embedded an agricultural matrix. Throughout the tropics, historical demand for cropland and pastures lands adjacent to streams led replacement of forests by exotic grasses. In order find new methods initiating restoration riparian forests, we evaluated use pioneer shrubs Tithonia diversifolia Piper auritum as nurse species their effects on (1)...
Termite communities reflect soil conditions and the condition of ecosystem services that they provide. The present study first evaluated relationship between termite in a wide range land use systems deforested areas Colombian Peruvian Amazon. Then, we identified indicator species for service levels provided by them. Termites were collected on 38 farms both countries (12 Colombia 26 Peru) at 190 sampling points (five per farm). Eight types plant cover identified: natural forests, secondary...
Abstract The conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural land uses in mountainous Andean landscapes threatens an array key ecological processes and ecosystem services (ES). In protected areas buffer regions that provide water cities, it is critical understand how interactions between plants soil communities sustain a range functions associated with nutrient recycling, structure, erosion control. We sought examine use within tropical forest landscape influences the diversity macrofauna...
Open‐pit coal mining causes strong negative impacts on biodiversity because this activity completely removes thick layers of soil. Focusing ants as functional agents responding to mine site rehabilitation has proven useful in improving restoration practices. This study sought evaluate the success 20‐year‐old ecological program at El Cerrejón, one world's largest open‐pit operation located a vulnerable dry tropical forest region Colombia. compared ant assemblages 13 sites classified along...
Abstract 1. This study examines limitation of nesting resources for leaf‐litter and twig‐nesting ants as a mechanism diversity loss across an intensification gradient coffee production in Colombia. Twelve farms were selected classified into four management types: forest, polygeneric shade coffee, monogeneric sun (unshaded monocultures). 2. At each the farms, treatment subplots established at corners 10 25 m 2 plots: (i) twig augmentation (adding empty bamboo twigs); (ii) litter (tripling...
Abstract Whether an ecological community is controlled from above or below remains a popular framework that continues generating interesting research questions and takes on especially important meaning in agroecosystems. We describe the regulation of three coffee herbivores, leaf herbivore (the green scale, Coccus viridis), seed predator berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei), plant pathogen rust disease, caused by Hemelia vastatrix) various natural enemies, emphasizing remarkable complexity...
Ant richness within 14 Colombian dry forest fragments varies from at least 34–128 species. We have collected the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) in each of fourteen fragments, by means tuna baits, pitfall traps, sampling logs, understory vegetation and litter sampling. A highly significant negative relation was found between percentage W. samples per fragment for ant community. Additionally, a positive relationship abundance number ant-plant associations nine fragments. The...