Soil fauna is an essential component of the soil ecosystem for maintaining nutrient cycling and biological soil fertility. This study assessed the soil biodiversity (macrofauna, mesofauna, and microfauna) to define strategies for the sustainable management of tropical agricultural soils. The study was carried out in 200 agricultural production units in the Department of Sucre, in northern Colombia. Physicochemical properties (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH) were determined for each soil sample. The Berlesse-Tullgren method was used to determine the [...] ABSTRACT Soil fauna is an essential component of the soil ecosystem for maintaining nutrient cycling and biological soil fertility. This study assessed the soil biodiversity (macrofauna, mesofauna, and microfauna) to define strategies for the sustainable management of tropical agricultural soils. The study was carried out in 200 agricultural production units in the Department of Sucre, in northern Colombia. Physicochemical properties (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH) were determined for each soil sample. The Berlesse-Tullgren method was used to determine the

Introducción— En el departamento de Sucre, Norte de Colombia los agroecosistemas han sufrido pérdidas a lo largo del tiempo, ya que el cambio climático ha derivado en desastres naturales que han cobrado miles de hectáreas de siembra, vidas animales e incluso pérdidas humanas. El concepto de resiliencia ha sido debatido principalmente en el ámbito científico. Sin embargo, la aplicación del concepto de resiliencia agrícola es escaso y se requiere una mejor consideración de las perspectivas de los agricultores. Objetivo— El propósito de este artículo consistió en evaluar la percepción de los agricultores sobre resiliencia, teniendo en cuenta la información ambiental e institucional de los eventos climáticos ocurridos en el departamento de Sucre. Metodología— Se seleccionaron cinco municipios dentro del departamento de Sucre. Por cada municipio se seleccionaron 40 Unidades Productivas Agrícolas (UPAs). A los propietarios o encargados de las UPAs se les aplicó una encuesta de caracterización participativa. La información se analizó utilizando una metodología descriptiva y exploratoria, empleando técnicas de análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos. En la primera sección de la encuesta se evaluó la percepción ambiental de los agricultores y en la segunda sección el apoyo institucional que ha realizado el gobierno en la región. Resultados— La encuesta de caracterización participativa indicó la percepción de la comunidad sobre resiliencia. El término resiliencia suele ser indiferente para los productores agrícolas porque no es común el uso del término. Sin embargo, en la práctica utilizan técnicas para mejorar la productividad de los cultivos. Conocen el término riesgo, pero no cuentan con planes de acción para la prevención de riesgos. También informaron que el clima ha cambiado en las últimas décadas y que la mayor necesidad es de tipo económico. Conclusiones— Los agricultores han percibido cómo los eventos climáticos han afectado sus cultivos en las últimas décadas afectando su sustentabilidad y seguridad alimentaria. Entender el nivel de conocimiento de los agricultores es importante para formular estrategias que aumenten significativamente la resiliencia en las comunidades campesinas. En cuanto al nivel de conocimiento de resiliencia y su aplicación en la agricultura, se hace necesario aumentar la divulgación y educación sobre el tema.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Irrigation system water quality is a complex issue that involves the combined effects of various surface water management parameters. Monitoring of irrigation water quality is essential for the sustainability of crop production and productivity. The department of Sucre, in northern Colombia, is predominantly a ranching and agricultural region where agriculture is the main source for livelihoods. The purpose of this study was to assess the physicochemical quality of surface water in irrigation systems at 141 farms.METHODS: To this end, 141 water samples were taken to determine 22 physicochemical parameters. All in-situ measurements and laboratory analysis were performed using standard methods. The results obtained were compared with the international standards proposed by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Salinity and sodicity were measured using the irrigation water classification diagram, and the level of correlation between the 22 variables was assessed by means of correlation analysis.FINDINGS: The results obtained indicate that based on the measured parameters, the water is classified as appropriate for use in irrigation systems. The maximum and minimum pH values were 9.32 and 4.40, respectively; the maximum and minimum values of electrical conductivity were 669 and 19.80 µS/cm respectively; the maximum and minimum values of total dissolved solids were 478 and 11.80 mg/L respectively, and the maximum and minimum values of the sodium adsorption ratio were 1.72 and 0.01 mEq/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cation and anion concentrations were within the limits allowed by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO. According to the irrigation water classification diagram, the waters were classified as C1S1 and C2S1, which implies that there are no restrictions for their use in irrigation systems, water type (I) and type (II).

This study aims to assess the physicochemical characteristics regulating the distribution and abundance of M. marcella larvae in six wetlands in the northern Colombia. Standardized techniques for collecting invertebrate and physicochemical data were used in 29 sampling points in an intraannual period. Mean pH and temperature oscillated in narrow ranges within wetlands (7.7 ± 0.09–8.6 ± 0.07; 28.1 ± 0.29–32.8 ± 0.17 °C, respectively), whereas ammonium concentrations and conductivity exhibited a wide variation (0.2 ± 0.03–2.8 ± 0.54 mg NH₄ L⁻¹; 861 ± 30.7–19254 ± 1706 µS cm⁻¹, respectively). A total of 2586 individual M. marcella larvae were collected. Abundance was greater in wetlands influenced by the Magdalena River, with 19.4 ± 1.7 and 9.3 ± 1.4 individuals; followed by wetlands hydrologically influenced by seasonal runoff, with 8.1 ± 0.4 and 6.4 ± 0.4 individuals; and lowest in wetlands with influence of the Caribbean Sea, with 3.9 ± 0.3 and 0.3 ± 0.1 individuals. Abundances of M. marcella larvae exhibited similar variations at different months during the sampling period. Abundance and distribution of M. marcella larvae in wetlands of northern Colombia is strongly dependent on water conductivity, transparency and alkalinity. This study evidence that Odonata larvae are a valuable tool as bioindicators for wetland assessment and monitoring.

The butterfly Morpho helenor peleides (Kollar) is negatively impacted by the fragmentation of Tropical Dry Forests (TDF), as disturbances in vegetation structure may alter the availability of host plants for immature stages, potentially disrupting its life cycle. To assess variations in the life cycle of this species under natural conditions at the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Colorados, a protected area of the Colombian Caribbean Region. A “vivarium” was constructed and stocked with 18 adults of M. helenor peleides. Individuals were provided with a fruit-based diet and monitored daily to document behavioral patterns, and oviposited eggs were collected for further analysis. In total, 187 eggs were obtained and distributed into three treatment groups: control (hermetically sealed and removed from the study site), protected (retained in the study area with predator exclusion), and unprotected (exposed to natural predation). Detailed morphological and morphometric descriptions were performed for eggs, larvae, and pupae. The horizontal life table method was applied to estimate survival and mortality rates across immature stages, net reproductive rate, and mean generation time. Natural enemies were identified to the genus or family levels. Under natural conditions, the complete life cycle of M. helenor peleides lasted 86 d (±2). Higher survival rates were recorded during the egg and early larval instar, except during the fifth instar. The findings underscore the importance of evaluating species–environment interactions under natural conditions, as life history parameters differed markedly from those reported under captive conditions in previous studies.