This article addresses the main threats to biodiversity in Ecuador and evaluates current conservation initiatives. Using a qualitative literature review approach, secondary data were analyzed and interviews were conducted with conservation and biodiversity experts. Results indicate that deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, mining and oil extraction, as well as water and soil pollution, are the most significant threats to Ecuador's biodiversity. Conservation initiatives, such as reforestation programs, silvopastoral systems and the implementation of the NDCs and SDGs, have shown promising results, but face challenges in terms of implementation and community participation. The discussion focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of these strategies, highlighting the need for a more integrated and participatory approach. Improvements are suggested to increase the effectiveness of conservation initiatives. In conclusion, biodiversity protection in Ecuador requires a holistic and collaborative approach, addressing both direct and underlying threats, and is crucial to preserve the country's rich biodiversity for future generations.

Silvopastoral system (SPS) has been considered as a sustainable management system contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, among other benefits compared with open pasture. However, little research has been conducted on the soil and tree biomass carbon stored in traditional pasture with dispersed trees (PWT) compared with pasture in monoculture (PM). The present study was conducted in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR), along an elevational gradient from 400 to 2000 masl., within the buffer and transition zone of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR), using 71 temporary circular plots of 2826 m², where 26 plots were stablished in PWT and 45 plots in PM. The main results in PWT show significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) between aboveground carbon biomass (AGC_trees) from 41.1 (lowlands), 26.5 (Middle hills) and 16.7 (high mountains) Mg ha⁻¹ respectively, with an average of 31.0 Mg ha⁻¹ in the whole study area. The total carbon pool along the altitudinal gradient in five components: (AGC_trees), belowground carbon (BGC_trees), pasture carbon (AGC_{litter+pasture}) and carbon in soil components (0–10 and 10–30 cm) for PWT ranged from 112.80 (lowlands) to 91.34 (high mountains) Mg ha⁻¹; while for the PM systems assessing three components (AGC_{litter+pasture}) and carbon in soil components (0–10 and 10–30 cm) ranged from 52.5 (lowlands) to 77.8 (middle zone) Mg ha⁻¹. Finally, the paper shows the main dominant tree species in pasture systems that contribute to carbon storage along elevational gradient and concludes with recommendations for decision-making aimed at improving cattle ranching systems through a silvopastoral approach to mitigate the effects of climate change.

La Biotecnología Ambiental emplea el uso de organismos para la prevención, monitoreo y remediación de los ecosistemas, al mismo tiempo permite la generación de bioproductos y energía limpia. El libro consistió en tres capítulos, en el primero se establece los fundamentos de la Biotecnología Ambiental y sus aplicaciones en entornos terrestre, acuático y aéreo; además, se presentan herramientas aplicadas como los biosensores en el monitoreo ambiental, la fitorremediación en varios contextos de América Latina y el fortalecimiento de la agricultura sustentable. En el segundo capítulo se describe la importancia de un estudio bibliométrico y el enfoque para las diversas investigaciones, se detalla un manual de uso, que permite su replicabilidad en otros contextos. Además de presentar un caso de estudio aplicado al tema central de este libro, que sistematiza los temas más estudiados, las tendencias, revistas y países con mayores contribuciones. En el tercer capítulo se presentan varias prácticas de laboratorio y una sección de preguntas, que pueden ser empleadas en otras instituciones educativas o de manera autónoma. En conclusión, los capítulos son complementarios entre sí, facilitando la comprensión e interés del lector. El área de mayor relevancia corresponde a la biorremediación en suelos contaminados por hidrocarburos y metales pesados, los grupos más frecuentes en la revisión fueron hongos, cianobacterias y organismos genéticamente modificados. Finalmente, existe una oportunidad del uso y la potencial combinación de las técnicas basadas en metagenómica, ADN ambiental, inteligencia artificial para el desarrollo de las nuevas tendencias de la Biotecnología Ambiental

The current study determined the floristic composition, structure, and aboveground biomass (AGB) of the individuals of the Moraceae family. This occurred in order to value them as a source of biomass carbon, which itself is dependent on the altitudinal gradient (601–1000 m.a.s.l.) in the evergreen foothill forest of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The study encountered 117 individuals belonging to the Moraceae family, which was grouped into 32 species. Hereby, the most abundant were the genus Ficus sp., with 9.40% relative abundance, Brosimun alicastrum with 6.84%, and Aucleopsis sp. with 5.98%. Forest structural characteristics, such as the horizontal and vertical structure, diameter at breast height (DBH), and the diameter of the tree crown, were considered for the analysis. The horizontal profile determined that the crowns of the species of the Moraceae family cover approximately 16.43% of the upper canopy within the sampling unit area. The trees of the Moraceae family have a carbon capture capacity in the projected AGB per hectare of 35.09 (Mg ha⁻¹), with the Ficus cuatracasana Dugand species being the species with the highest projected capture per hectare, with 15.737 (Mg ha⁻¹). These results highlight the relevance of similar studies assessing the carbon accumulation capacity of species from other families, emphasizing high commercial value species due to their timber resource.

Scientific studies on silvopastoral systems have led to permanent changes oriented toward better silvopasture practices, as well as to policy strategies to respond effectively to the global objectives of restoration and sustainable development. In this work, we performed a bibliometric analysis with the purpose of identifying changes associated with different silvopastoral systems. We applied Bibliometrix in R to analyze 5708 documents published between 1983 and 2022 by including the terms “silvopastoral” and “silvopasture”, among others. The results showed a longitudinal and exponential increase in silvopasture studies over the last 20 years. We adjusted the growth to an S-Curve function with an R² of 96.06%. The interest of researchers regarding knowledge about silvopasture has evolved; initially, it focused on the characterization of silvopasture, whereas recently, it has focused on the search for strategies to improve the sustainable use of silvopasture, including ecosystem restoration and the implementation of better practices. The following countries stand out as those with the largest scientific production of studies on silvopasture: The United States, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina in the Americas; China and India in Asia; and Spain; and Germany, and the United Kingdom in Europe. In the case of Ecuador, cited leaders in silvopasture facilitated the construction of a group of experts who contribute to the development of public policies. The most cited publications appeared in journals published by the Springer group, Elsevier, and MDPI Journals, mostly in open-access systems. In the future, the disruptive contribution of open-access systems in the global dissemination of knowledge, breaking through the economic constraints of countries, universities, and researchers, should be evaluated.