Our research assesses the effects of four forest species, namely, Swietenia macrophylla King, Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jack., Pinus occidentalis Swartz, and Pinus caribaea Morelet var. Caribaea, on the soil and litter organic carbon (C) stocks, C dioxide equivalent balance (BCO₂ Eq.) diurnal, and periodic dynamics beneath these species. Reforestation projects in the study region cover 1200, 543, 770, and 1152 hectares, respectively, with these four species being the most relevant in reforestation projects within the country. To determine the BCO₂ Eq. per unit area, we compared the greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) expressed as CO₂ Eq. units with the organic C stocks found in the mineral soil to a depth of 30 cm and in the forest litter. In four measurement periods over 18 months, we conducted field measurements in sixteen stands, four per species. Our results indicate that S. mahagoni emitted the lowest CO₂ Eq., while S. macrophylla released the highest amount into the atmosphere. At the end of the 18 months, BCO₂ Eq. from S. macrophylla soils was 299.70 metric tons ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, while for P. occidentalis, P. caribaea, and S. mahagoni, the corresponding quantities were 103.64, 146.41, and 72.34, respectively. All species showed a general upward pattern in soil respiration from September 2020 to March 2022. The average CO₂ Eq. flux rates to the atmosphere were approximately 65.4, 51.1, and 75.9 percent higher in S. macrophylla soils compared to the respective rates of P. occidentalis, P. caribaea, and S. mahagoni.

Este artículo presenta resultados donde se caracteriza energéticamente la fracción degradable de los residuos domésticos mediante la prueba de poder calorífico, además se determinó el potencial de generación eléctrica de esta fracción con tecnologías termoquímicas en un caso de estudio para la ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros, República Dominicana. De acuerdo con los resultados, el poder calorífico promedio arrojó un valor de 9.337,6 kJ·kg-1. El valor más alto fue obtenido por los residuos de jardinería 10.560,6 kJ·kg-1. Seguido por los residuos de alimentos 10.385,4 kJ·kg-1. Los desechos de madera, cartón y papel arrojaron 9.875,0 kJ·kg-1, 9.227,4 kJ·kg-1 y 6.639,7 kJ·kg-1, respectivamente. El potencial de generación bruta de electricidad por día con respecto a los desechos orgánicos alcanzó un máximo de 308,8 MWh por día a través de la Gasificación de Ciclo Combinado (GCC).

Garlic is a widely consumed plant species around the world. In the Dominican Republic there is high genetic diversity in the white and purple garlic varieties cultivated in Constanza, La Vega, with more than twenty genotypes having been cultivated; however, some have disappeared, or their production has been discontinued due to poor adaptability, productivity, or convenience, mainly due to the lack of chemical characterization. In this research, the total fat content and bioactive compounds of the prevailing and cultivated genotypes were analyzed: Taiwan 1, Taiwan 2, Taiwan 3, Taiwan 3A, Taiwan 05, Cuban Morado, Cuban Morado #3, Morado Rosello, Morado Rosello #1, Morado Niño, IDIAF 1, IDIAF SEA 14 and Ramón Collado. A completely randomized design was used, and an ANOVA and Tukey's test were applied at 95% confidence. The results were: total fat (0.08 to 0.38 % dry basis), allicin (167.92 to 2,335.55 mg/kg), antioxidant activity (23.83 to 98.83 μmolTE/100g), total phenolic content (89.70 to 136.85 mgGAE/100g), tannins (293.33 to 535.76 mg TAE/kg) and flavonoids (23.78 to 61.62 μgEqRutin/g). Total fat and bioactive compounds fluctuated between genotypes, highlighting the difference in chemical composition according to their genetic variation. El ajo es una especie vegetal muy consumida alrededor del mundo. En República Dominicana existe alta diversidad genética en las variedades de ajo blanco y morado cultivadas en Constanza, La Vega, habiendo sido cultivados más de veinte genotipos; sin embargo, algunos han desaparecido o su producción ha sido descontinuada debido a poca adaptabilidad, productividad o conveniencia, principalmente por la ausencia de caracterización a nivel químico. En esta investigación se analizó el contenido de grasa total y compuestos bioactivos de los genotipos que prevalecen y se cultivan: Taiwán 1, Taiwán 2, Taiwán 3, Taiwán 3A, Taiwán 05, Morado cubano, Morado cubano #3, Morado Rosello, Morado Rosello #1, Morado Niño, IDIAF 1, IDIAF SEA 14 y Ramón Collado. Se empleó un diseño completamente al azar y se aplicó un ANOVA y la prueba de Tukey al 95% de confianza. Los resultados fueron: grasa total (0,08 a 0,38 % base seca), alicina (167,92 a 2.335,55 mg/Kg), actividad antioxidante (23,83 a 98,83 μmolTE/100g), contenido fenólico total (89,70 a 136,85 mgGAE/100g), taninos (293,33 a 535,76 mg TAE/Kg) y flavonoides (23,78 a 61,62 μgEqRutin/g). La grasa total y los compuestos bioactivos fluctúan entre los genotipos, remarcando la diferencia en la composición química según su variación genética.

Our research assesses the effects of four forest species, namely Swietenia macrophylla King, Swietenia mahogany (L.) Jack., Pinus occidentalis Swartz, and Pinus caribaea Morelet var. Caribaea, on organic carbon (OC) dynamics and carbon dioxide equivalent balance (BCO2 Eq.) in the soils beneath these species. Reforestation projects in the study region cover 1,200, 543, 770, and 1,152 hectares, with these four species, respectively, being the most relevant species in reforestation projects within the country. To determine the BCO2 Eq. per unit area, we compared the greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) with the OC reserves found in the mineral soil to a depth of 30 cm and in the forest litter. For 18 months, we conducted field measurements in sixteen stands, four for each species. Our results indicate that S. macrophylla absorbed the highest amount of CO2, while S. mahogany released the highest amount into the atmosphere. BCO2 Eq. from S. macrophylla soils was -23.19 metric tons of CO2 Eq. ha-1 year-1, while for P. occidentalis, S. mahogany, and P. caribaea, the corresponding quantities were -3.838, -2.299, and +0.982, respectively. During the measurement period, soils under S. macrophylla, P. occidentalis, and P. caribaea were net sinks of CO2 Eq., while soils under S. mahogany behaved as a source. The absorption rate of CO2 Eq. from the atmosphere was approximately 6, 10, and 24 times higher in S. macrophylla when compared to the respective rates of P. occidentalis, P. caribaea, and S. mahagony.

This study investigated the occurrence and population dynamics of Ips calligraphus within remnant Pinus forest stands with varying floristic compositions on the northwestern slope of the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. The study aimed to assess the influence of floristic diversity and forest management on the abundance of I. calligraphus in these fragmented ecosystems. Sampling was conducted across multiple forest stands with varying management and floristic compositions. A total of 18 plots of 20 x 20 meters were established, and I. calligraphus abundance was monitored using pheromone-baited traps over a five-week period. Tree dimensions, species richness, and floristic diversity were measured in each plot. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, diversity indices, and multivariate techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering. The results indicated that I. calligraphus populations were more abundant in forest stands with higher floristic diversity, particularly in unmanaged sites. Significant variability in beetle populations was observed between managed and unmanaged forests, with unmanaged sites showing greater beetle pressure. PCA and clustering analyses revealed distinct capture profiles, suggesting that site-specific factors such as microclimate, forest management, and tree species composition influenced I. calligraphus dynamics. The study highlighted the complexity of managing I. calligraphus populations in fragmented pine forests. Floristic diversity, while beneficial for overall ecosystem health, did not appear to mitigate beetle infestations. The findings suggested the need for adaptive, site-specific pest management strategies that considered both ecological and management variables.

Ips calligraphus is the primary pest of Pinus occidentalis Sw. forests in the Dominican Republic and acts as a potential vector for ophiostomatoid fungi. The symbiotic association between Ips and these fungi compromises the host tree’s defense mechanisms by overcoming the toxicity of secondary metabolites, facilitating the beetle’s colonization and reproduction. This lethal combination poses a significant threat to conifers and results in substantial economic losses for the forestry industry. To address this issue, fungi were isolated on malt extract agar from insect bodies collected from infested trees. Identification was based on the morphological characteristics of the mycelium and DNA sequencing using ITS1-ITS4 primers. Six morphotypes of ophiostomatoid fungi were identified: four Ophiostoma ips, one Leptographium manifestum, and one Ophiostoma spp. This study provides the first report of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with I. calligraphus in the country.