Browsing by Author "Monar, Carlos"

Now showing 1 - 15 of 15
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    Assessment of nitrogen dynamics and cropping system sustainability in the Andean region of South America with a new tool available for computers and smartphones
    Delgado, Jorge A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Escudero, Luis O.; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Monar, Carlos; Barrera, Victor H.; Botello, Rubén C. (2013)
    Implementation of best soil and water conservation practices will be key to addressing challenges we will confront in the 21st century. With challenges such as climate change and continued population growth, there is a need for tools that can help us quickly assess how to maintain sustainability of cropping systems, which will be essential for maximizing agricultural production, especially in fragile soils of the Andean region of South America. Nitrogen (N) inputs are key for agricultural production, but because N is so mobile, high efficiency in the management and use of N input is necessary to reduce risk of N losses to the environment while maximizing production. One of the key crops in this region is the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop. This crop leaves a small amount of crop residue after harvest, which increases the potential for a high rate of erosion, especially in the steep soils where the crop is cultivated in this region. A new Nitrogen Index with a Sustainability Index has been calibrated and validated for this region. The tool is available in the English and Spanish languages and can be run in metric or English units. It can be run on desktop and laptop computers (using the software written in the programming language Java™), or on a smartphone that has the Android™ system (via the “app”). The tool is very user friendly and can be used by conservationists, field agronomists, technical personnel, and others. It was found that the tool can accurately assess nitrogen dynamics and evaluate the crop uptake for crops grown in this region, such as corn (Zea mays L.) and potato (P
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    Assessment of nitrogen dynamics and cropping system sustainability in the Andean segion of South America with a new tool available for computers and smartphones
    Delgado, Jorge A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Escudero, Luis O.; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Monar, Carlos; Barrera, Victor H.; Botello, Rubén C. (2013)
    Implementation of best soil and water conservation practices will be key to addressing challenges we will confront in the 21st century. With challenges such as climate change and continued population growth, there is a need for tools that can help us quickly assess how to maintain sustainability of cropping systems, which will be essential for maximizing agricultural production, especially in fragile soils of the Andean region of South America.
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    Evaluación de la pérdida productiva y económica por la erosion hídrica en tres sistemas de producción en la microcuenca del río Alumbre, Provincia Bolívar, Ecuador
    Cruz, Elena; Chela, E.; Monar, Carlos; Valverde, F.; Cartagena, Y. (Sociedad Ecuatoriana de la Ciencia del Suelo, 2010)
    Paper discusses soil loss measurements from three different production systems in Ecuador and estimates the yield losses (and subsequent income losses) from this erosion.
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    Evaluación de la pérdida productiva y económica por la erosion hídrica en tres sistemas de producción en la microcuenca del río Alumbre, Provincia Bolívar, Ecuador
    Cruz, Elena; Chela, E.; Monar, Carlos; Valverde, F.; Cartagena, Y. (Sociedad Ecuatoriana de la Ciencia del Suelo, 2011)
    This presentation discusses research completed on soil loss measurements from three different production systems and the estimated yield losses (and subsequent income losses) from this erosion.
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    Evaluation of soil loss from water erosion in three production systems of the Alumbre River watershed in Ecuador
    Chela, E.; Monar, Carlos; Valverde, F.; Cruz, Elena (Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, Office of International, Research, Education, and Development, 2008)
    La investigación se desarrolló en la subcuenca del río Chimbo, en la franja altitudinal entre los 2000 y 3600 m. El objetivo primordial del programa es contribuir al desarrollo sostenible de la subcuenca hidrográfica del río Chimbo, a través del manejo integrado de los recursos naturales para agricultura de pequeña escala, con equidad ambiental, social y de género. Para ello, se planificó analizar participativamente el grado de vulnerabilidad de las áreas productivas dentro de las unidades piloto del programa; diseñar, implementar y evaluar el plan de mejoramiento consensuado de las áreas productivas; y fomentar la generación de espacios para el intercambio y la socialización de las experiencias entre los productores. Los enfoques conceptuales en los cuales se enmarca esta propuesta investigativa son la Planificación Participativa, el Aprendizaje Social y el Manejo Adaptativo consolidado a través de la Gestión Integrada de Cuencas Hidrográficas. Al término del programa se dispondrá de una base de información técnica sobre los objetivos señalados, información sobre el seguimiento y evaluación de las prácticas tecnológicas implementadas para la conservación del capital Natural, la fotodocumentación y caracterización de especies vegetales presentes en áreas de recarga hídrica que tengan -ademásotros usos alternativos dentro de las estrategias de sustento familiar, y un modelo para generar escenarios donde se evalúen el nivel de impactos ambientales sobre los recursos suelo, agua y el ciclo del agua en la subcuenca.
  • Experiences in integrated management of natural resources in the sub-watershed of the Chimbo River, Ecuador
    Barrera, Victor H.; Cruz, Elena; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Escudero, Luis O.; Monar, Carlos (St. Joseph, MI: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 2010)
    As is typical of many rural areas in developing countries, the Andean region of Ecuador is characterized by extreme poverty, owing to low agricultural productivity, limited human skills in business management and implementation of production technologies as well as lack of access to product, input, and capital markets. Compounding the situation, high poverty indices occur together with the degradation of natural resources, infant malnutrition, social inequity, and a downward development spiral. Communities in these areas produce various food crops, however, these production activities degrade soil and water resources and contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. This article summarizes and describes a process of adaptive watershed management which contributes to sustainable development in the Chimbo River sub-watershed. The process begins with technical studies of the state of soil resources, water, and biodiversity in the sub-watershed with the intent of designing a plan to modify production systems by incorporating more environmentally friendly practices. Challenges for watershed management are described. The conceptual framework, empirical strategy, and final results are presented which show how implementation of better practices for natural resource management and food production contribute to reducing environmental vulnerability and improvement in the welfare of local farm families in the watershed.
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    Finding means to promote the integrated management of natural resources in the Chimbo River sub watershed, Ecuador
    Barrera, Victor H.; Cruz, Elena; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Escudero, Luis O.; Monar, Carlos (2010)
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    Gestión integrada de recursos naturales en la subcuenca del río Chimbo, Ecuador
    Barrera, Victor H.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Cruz, Elena; Escudero, Luis O.; Monar, Carlos (2011)
    Como ocurre en varias zonas rurales en los países en desarrollo, las poblaciones de la zona Andina del Ecuador están caracterizadas por pobreza extrema, derivada de la baja productividad de los sistemas de producción agropecuaria, de la limitada capacitación del capital humano en materia de gestión empresarial y tecnologías de producción así como la falta de acceso equitativo a los mercados de productos, insumos y capital. Para hacer más grave la situación, los altos índices de pobreza van aparejados con la degradación de los recursos naturales frágiles, la desnutrición infantil, la inequidad social y de género, lo que conduce a una espiral de sub-desarrollo. Las comunidades localizadas en estas áreas producen variados alimentos; sin embargo, las actividades productivas generan fuertes impactos en el ambiente como la degradación del recurso suelo, afectación de la calidad y reducción de la cantidad de agua, deforestación y pérdida de la biodiversidad. Este artículo resume y describe un proceso de manejo adaptativo aplicado a la gestión integrada de cuencas que contribuye al desarrollo sostenible de las poblaciones asentadas en la subcuenca del río Chimbo. El proceso inicia desde la generación de estudios técnico-científicos sobre el estado de los recursos suelo, agua y biodiversidad en la subcuenca, para luego diseñar un plan de modificaciones de los sistemas productivos mediante la incorporación de prácticas de manejo amigables con el ambiente. Además, se analizan los desafíos del enfoque de cuencas, se discute sobre el marco conceptual, la estrategia empírica y al final se presentan los resultados que muestran cómo las implementaciones de las mejores prácticas para el manejo de los recursos naturales y las alternativas de sustento, contribuyen a reducir la vulnerabilidad física y ambiental y al mejoramiento del bienestar de las familias productoras localizadas en la subcuenca.
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    Investigation of the promotion and adoption of sustainable natural resource management agricultural practices in the Chimbo watershed of Ecuador
    Alwang, Jeffrey R. (Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2009)
    Final report for SANREM summer internship in Ecuador. Describes evaluation of determinants of adoption of soil conservation practices in Chimbo watershed, Ecuador
  • A new nitrogen index for assessment of nitrogen management of Andean mountain cropping systems of Ecuador
    Escudero, Luis O.; Delgado, Jorge A.; Monar, Carlos; Valverde, F.; Barrera, Victor H.; Alwang, Jeffrey R. (Soil Science, 2014)
    Corn (Zea mays L.) is important for food security in much of Ecuador. Small-scale farmers are using nitrogen (N) fertilizer without technical advice based on soil, crop, and climatologic data. The literature lacks studies where tools that can quickly assess management practices’ effects
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    A new nitrogen index to assess sustainability of cropping systems of Andean regions of South America
    Delgado, Jorge A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Monar, Carlos; Escudero, Luis O.; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Barrera, Victor H.; Botello, Rubén C. (2012)
    Population growth, impacts from a changing climate, and other challenges highlight the need to conserve soil and water quality so that maximization of crop yields to feed the expanding world population can be achieved and sustained into future generations. The Andean regions of South America are predominantly risky landscapes that have high slopes susceptible to erosion, especially after harvesting crops that leave low amounts of crop residue such as potatoes, and/or removing the straw from grain systems following cultivation of these landscapes. Tools that can be used by technical personnel who work with local farmers on these agricultural systems are needed to enhance communication with farmers and local communities in Andean regions and increase conservation. A new Nitrogen Index available in the English and Spanish languages, in metric and English units, and with a Soil Sustainability Index, was developed and evaluated for these regions by comparing results from the tool with research data. This Index is being used as an educational tool at the Universidad Estatal de Bolìvar in Guaranda, Ecuador, and is helping its users assess the effects of management practices on the sustainability of cropping systems in their region. Preliminary results from evaluation of the new Nitrogen Index and its Soil Sustainability Index for these high-risk cropping system-landscape combinations of South America will be presented. These preliminary results suggest potential exists to use the tool to help assess effects of management practices on the sustainability of systems and on nitrogen use efficiencies in Andean regions of South America.
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    Nitrogen Index 4.4. User Manual
    Gagliardi, P. M.; Delgado, Jorge A.; Rau, E. J.; Fry, R.; Figueroa, U.; Gross, C.; Cueto-Wong, J.; Shaffer, M. J.; Kowalski, K.; Neer, D.; Sotomayor-Ramirez, D.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Monar, Carlos; Escudero, Luis O.; Saavedra Rivera, A. K. (USDA ARS, 2011)
    User manual for a web-based tool to help farmers make optimal decisions about nitrogen application in degraded and other lands.
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    Participatory planning for land-use change in the Chimbo River watershed, Ecuador, based on an integrated approach to management of the river basin and its ecosystems
    Cruz, Elena; Barrera, Victor H.; Monar, Carlos; Escudero, Luis O.; Montúfar, C.; González, D. (Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, Office of International Research Education and Development, 2008)
    La investigación se desarrolló en la subcuenca del río Chimbo, en la franja altitudinal entre los 2000 y 3600 m. El objetivo primordial del programa es contribuir al desarrollo sostenible de la subcuenca hidrográfica del río Chimbo, a través del manejo integrado de los recursos naturales para agricultura de pequeña escala, con equidad ambiental, social y de género. Para ello, se planificó analizar participativamente el grado de vulnerabilidad de las áreas productivas dentro de las unidades piloto del programa; diseñar, implementar y evaluar el plan de mejoramiento consensuado de las áreas productivas; y fomentar la generación de espacios para el intercambio y la socialización de las experiencias entre los productores. Los enfoques conceptuales en los cuales se enmarca esta propuesta investigativa son la Planificación Participativa, el Aprendizaje Social y el Manejo Adaptativo consolidado a través de la Gestión Integrada de Cuencas Hidrográficas. Al término del programa se dispondrá de una base de información técnica sobre los objetivos señalados, información sobre el seguimiento y evaluación de las prácticas tecnológicas implementadas para la conservación del capital Natural, la fotodocumentación y caracterización de especies vegetales presentes en áreas de recarga hídrica que tengan ¿ademásotros usos alternativos dentro de las estrategias de sustento familiar, y un modelo para generarescenarios donde se evalúen el nivel de impactos ambientales sobre los recursos suelo, agua y el ciclo del agua en la subcuenca.
  • Positive impacts in soil and water conservation in an Andean region of South America: Case scenarios from a US Agency for International Development multidisciplinary cooperative project
    Monar, Carlos; Saavedra, Ana Karina; Escudero, Luis O.; Delgado, Jorge A.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Barrera, Victor H.; Botello, Rubén C. (2013)
    The Andean region of South America faces many challenges to increasing agricultural productivity: shrinking farm sizes, poor soils, erratic rainfall, and very high erosion rates. This article summarizes the positive impacts of the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program’s (SANREM CRSP) promotion of conservation agriculture (CA) in the region. SANREM emphasizes thorough and holistic evaluation of the impacts of CA, and active participation of local farmers. Farmer field schools in the Illangama watershed in Ecuador proved an effective means of encouraging CA adoption by demonstrating its positive effects. Other positive impacts are listed, emphasizing the increases in yields and economically beneficial diversification. A need for new, bilingual tools to assess the impacts of CA is identified; the article presents the adaption of the Mexican Nitrogen index for Ecuador and Bolivia as a successful example of tool development. The strong international cooperation for this project has provided an illustration of the positive results of soil and water conservation practices that will assist in addressing the environmental challenges and constraints of the twenty-first century.
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    Potential use of cover crops for soil and water conservation, nutrient management, and climate change adaptation across the tropics
    Delgado, Jorge A.; Barrera Mosquera, Victor H.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Villacis, Alexis H.; Cartagena Ayala, Yamil E.; Neer, Donna; Monar, Carlos; Escudero López, Luis O. (Elsevier, 2021-01-01)
    One of the greatest challenges in the 21st century is the question of how humanity will adapt to a changing climate to continue producing food at the production levels that will be necessary to feed an increasing global population while conserving soil and water resources. While there are political, social and economic factors that impact agricultural development, this paper will not be focusing on those factors, instead focusing on the potential use of cover crops as a nutrient management tool, a soil and water conservation practice, and a good approach to adapting to a changing climate. The potential of using cover crops for climate change adaptation and mitigation will be reviewed. Cover crops are a key tool that could contribute to increased yields, conservation of surface and groundwater quality, reduced erosion potential, sequestration of atmospheric carbon (C), and improved soil quality and health across the tropics. However, there are a lot of research gaps, and there is a need for additional research about the potential use of cover crops for soil, human, and animal health, as well as a need for an open-access data information system about research on cover crops in the tropics. While cover crops show a lot of promise, they are not a silver bullet, and in some circumstances, they can also contribute to reduced yields. We evaluated the use of cover crops and we ranked the different ways that cover crops can contribute to climate change adaptation, on a scale ranging from very low potential to contribute to climate change adaptation to very high potential. For example, cover crops have very high potential to reduce erosion generated by a changing climate in humid systems. On average, cover crops appear to be a good practice for climate change adaptation and mitigation across the tropics, and nutrient managers, agronomists, and soil and water conservation practitioners could add them to their management toolbox for different regions of the tropics. The 4 Rs of cover crops should be applied when using this tool (the right cover crop, the right timing of placement, the right timing of killing, and the right management).