tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90313302127384316212024-03-06T02:32:43.979-05:00EnviroCéntrico"EnviroCéntrico" is a Spanish/English blog aimed at reflecting on environmental issues from Costa Rica, the U.S. and the world. I will also discuss some other matters I may find beguiling. ¡Lo que me dé la gana!Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-20087307160699638382012-07-29T13:28:00.002-04:002012-07-29T13:39:58.746-04:00Las Bondades del Frijol de Palo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvS_sb9oSKOI_7HXAZWjatzUl1oWj83yw5CgUMYKv3_-U5hJCJybkj-H81HUEqeY6_O38MhIHv8jmqYe9sKu47LC6VwRbjgklLEhOATSODwlB2HZVv4oqE-EY8t0PrnAhaBOS1M1VQx8/s1600/Cajanus+fl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvS_sb9oSKOI_7HXAZWjatzUl1oWj83yw5CgUMYKv3_-U5hJCJybkj-H81HUEqeY6_O38MhIHv8jmqYe9sKu47LC6VwRbjgklLEhOATSODwlB2HZVv4oqE-EY8t0PrnAhaBOS1M1VQx8/s400/Cajanus+fl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flores del Frijol de palo (<i>Cajanus cajan</i>).</td></tr>
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En este día caliente de verano norteño recordé uno de mis cultivos tropicales favoritos, el Gandul o Frijol de Palo <a href="http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/PF000150.HTM" target="_blank">(<i>Cajanus cajan</i>)</a>, también conocido como Guandul, Quinchoncho, Gandú, entre otros nombres comunes con los que se le conoce en otros países latinoamericanos. En inglés se le denomina <i>Pigeon Pea</i> mientras que en los países francófonos de África Occidental se le llama <i>Pois d'angole</i>. <br />
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En Costa Rica se le cultiva en zonas tropicales húmedas de la vertiente del Caribe y en el Pacífico sur en donde crece sin mayores dificultades en suelos ácidos y pobres como los <a href="http://soils.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/ultisols.htm" target="_blank">ultisoles</a> de color rojizo comunes en las tierras bajas de ambas vertientes, en especial en la zona sur del país. El gandul es, efectivamente, una de las leguminosas más adaptables y tolerantes de las sequías.<br />
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El gandul es originario de India en donde se ha cultivado por más de 4000 años. Su uso se extendió luego a África Oriental en donde se desarrollaron frijoles de grano más grande cuyo uso se esparció por el resto del continente. De África pasó a América con el comercio de esclavos de donde se cree que proviene su nombre común, posiblemnte originario de Gabón según el botánico costarricense Jorge León en su excelente libro titulado <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/Bot%C3%A1nica_de_los_cultivos_tropicales.html?id=NBtu79LJ4h4C" target="_blank">Botánica de los Cultivos Tropicales</a>. <br />
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En las zonas del Pacífico Central y Sur de Costa Rica este frijol crece hasta en suelos erosionados en donde requiere poco mantenimiento. Como buena leguminosa el gandul es un buen fijador de nitrógeno (¡de hecho es la leguminosa que produce más N biomásico por hectárea!) además de ser un excelente forraje de alto contenido proteínico para el ganado bovino, cerdos, cabras y ovejas. <br />
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¡Pero lo mejor de todo es su uso culinario y sus propiedades nutricionales! Los frijoles del gandul contienen hasta 26% de proteína y son de buen sabor. Aunque en Costa Rica no es tan popular como en otros países latinoamericanos, en la zona sur del país es quizás en donde más se le consume (debido a la influencia cultural panameña evidente en esa zona). Un simple arroz con gandules o gandules guisados son un excelente almuerzo después de una caminata o un día de trabajo bajo el sol tropical. Otra bondad del gandul es que produce poca flatulencia, una característica que algunos individuos proclives a sinfonías "pedológicas" indeseadas agradecerían. <br />
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El gandul es indudablemente uno de esos cultivos tropicales altamente prometedores en el contexto actual de cambio climático, degradación de los suelos y pobreza. De hecho <a href="http://131.220.109.9/module/register/media/63c0_narf_157.pdf" target="_blank">su uso se ha propuesto como de gran potencial en regiones como África</a> en donde, como mencioné anteriormente, se cultiva desde hace muchísimos años. También es de <a href="http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/products/afdbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=408" target="_blank">gran potencial para su uso en sistemas agroforestales,</a> mi sistema agrícola favorito en los trópicos. </div>Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-18557445850596480842012-06-03T20:55:00.000-04:002012-06-03T20:55:52.739-04:00A Glimpse Of Green Spain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="greenClass context_menu" id="ws1024"><span class="phrase_anchor">Thought</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1025">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1026">would</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1027">share</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1028">some</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1029">travel</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1030">hedonism here.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1031">Spain</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1032">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1033">without</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1034">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1035">doubt</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1036">a</span><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1037"></span><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1038"> delightful</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1039">country,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1040">from</span> <span class="greenClass context_menu" id="ws1041"><span class="phrase_anchor">centuries</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1042">old</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1043">architecture,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1044">bustling</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1045">cities,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1046">Mediterranean</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1047">beaches</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1048">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1049">snow-capped</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1050">mountains</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1051">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1052">picturesque</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1053">rural</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1054">landscapes.</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1055">Here's</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1056">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1057">glimpse</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1058">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1059">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1060">green</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1061">side</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1062">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1063">Spain,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1064">or</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1065">at</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1066">least</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1067">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1068">tiny</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1069">little</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1070">bit</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1071">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1072">got</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1073">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1074">experience</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1075">given</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1076">the</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1077">short</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1078">time</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1079">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1080">had</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1081">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1082">do</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1083">so.</span><br />
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<span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1084">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1085">always</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1086">enjoy</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1087">exploring</span> <span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1088"><span class="phrase_anchor">new</span></span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1089">places,</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1090">especially</span> <span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1091"><span class="phrase_anchor">new</span></span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1092">ecosystems,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1093">when</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1094">I'm</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1095">walking</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1096">in</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1097">unknown</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1098">natural</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1099">areas</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1100">looking</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1101">at</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1102">different</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1103">plants,</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1104">landscapes</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1105">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1106">wildlife</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1107">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1108">really</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1109">feel</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1110">like</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1111">a</span>
<span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1112"><span class="phrase_anchor">kid </span>in a candy store</span>. <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1113">That</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1114">happened</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1115">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1116">me</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1117">when</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1118">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1119">started</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1120">exploring</span> <span class="context_menu blackClass" id="ws1121" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="phrase_anchor">--at</span> least</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1122">least</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1123">from</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1124">a</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1125">naturalist</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1126">perspective-</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1127">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1128">rainforests</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1129">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1130">my</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1131">own country</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1132">Costa</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1133">Rica</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1134">or</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1135">when</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1136">I</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1137">moved</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1138">north</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1139">of</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1140">the</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1141">equator</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1142">here to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1143">the</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1144">DC</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1145">area</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1146">exploring</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1147">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1148">woods</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1149">at</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1150">the</span> <a href="http://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm" target="_blank"><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1151">Rock</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1152">Creek</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1153">Park</span></a> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1154">in</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1155">Washington,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1156">DC</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1157">those</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1158">were</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1159">truly</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1160">breathtaking</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1161">experiences.</span> <br />
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<span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1162">Located</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1163">60</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1164">kilometers</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1165">(37</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1166">miles)</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1167">NW</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1168">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1169">Barcelona,</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1170">Montserrat</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1171">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1172">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1173">particularly</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1174">charming</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1175">place</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1176">for</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1177">its</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1178">brew</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1179">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1180">medieval</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1181">history</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1182">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1183">nature.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1184">The</span>
<span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1185"><span class="phrase_anchor">"jagged</span></span> <span class="context_menu blackClass" id="ws1186" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="phrase_anchor">mountain,"</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1187">for</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1188">its</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1189">meaning</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1190">in</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1191">the local dialect Catalan,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1192">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1193">an</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1194">astonishing</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1195">geological</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1196">formation</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1197">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1198">more</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1199">than</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1200">10</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1201">million</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1202">years in the making</span><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1203">.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1204">The</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1205">spectacular</span> <span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1206"><span class="phrase_anchor">rocky</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1207">mountains</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1208">you</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1209">see</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1210">today</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1211">were</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1212">part</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1213">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1214">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1215">delta</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1216">50</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1217">million</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1218">years</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1219">ago.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1220">Geologically</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1221">speaking</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1222">it</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1223">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1224">considered</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1225">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1226">conglomerate,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1227">basically</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1228">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1229">sedimentary</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1230">rock</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1231">made</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1232">up</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1233">of</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1234">rounded</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1235">fragments.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1236">The</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1237">steep</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1238">base</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1239">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1240">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1241">mountain</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1242">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1243">covered</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1244">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1245">conifers</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1246">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1247">oak</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1248">trees.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1249">And</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1250">even</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1251">though</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1252">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1253">didn't</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1254">see</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1255">any</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1256">major wildlife</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1257">it</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1258">was</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1259">fascinating</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1260">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1261">learn</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1262">that</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1263">wild</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1264">boar</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1265">(which</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1266">are</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1267">native</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1268">in</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1269">this</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1270">part</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1271">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1272">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1273">world),</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1274">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1275">chamois</span> <span class="greenClass context_menu" id="ws1276"><span class="phrase_anchor">roam</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1277">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1278">park.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2n6mIcNvFYy0IF6eY6rccQT0ozZLUVe_6rCiDc39OV7lFp9Xri808-SZRa1vm1K6RsUtMUxE9gZ_CGYTicAC99oUOQ0oDoRr6OVB0q_pxqZbxo5J4oJ-cXcUT1F80OcEwvZb5tyuoe8/s1600/IMG_7823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2n6mIcNvFYy0IF6eY6rccQT0ozZLUVe_6rCiDc39OV7lFp9Xri808-SZRa1vm1K6RsUtMUxE9gZ_CGYTicAC99oUOQ0oDoRr6OVB0q_pxqZbxo5J4oJ-cXcUT1F80OcEwvZb5tyuoe8/s400/IMG_7823.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1279">Particularly</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1280">fascinating</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1281">was</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1282">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1283">see</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fig" target="_blank"><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1284">fig</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1285">trees</span></a> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1286">in</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1287">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1288">wild.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1289">Being</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1290">from</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1291">Central</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1292">America</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1293">this</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1294">may</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1295">sound</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1296">ridiculous</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1297">since</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1298">we</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1299">have</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1300">hundreds</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1301">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1302">cool-looking</span> tropical <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1303">fig</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1304">trees</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1305">there</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1306">that</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1307">are</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1308">closely</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1309">associated</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1310">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1311">many</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1312">fruit-eating</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1313">bat</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1314">species</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1315">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1316">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1317">myriad</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1318">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1319">other</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1320">critters.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1321">However,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1322">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1323">only</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1324">fig</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1325">that</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1326">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1327">can</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1328">relate</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1329">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1330">when</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1331">it</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1332">comes</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1333">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1334">food,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1335">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1336">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1337">good</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1338">flavor,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1339">is</span> <i><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1340">Ficus</span> </i><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1341"><i>carica</i>,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1342">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1343">species</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1344">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1345">saw</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1346">at</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1347">Montserrat.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HOBXHgcmCORKnojKypuTF3gW4bsWMhl5Pekq6aw8I4JboeKj9zZLlWVKfVtAopPzAj1PmJPAqjAyP7DCGXGt9iMcUPU5ZEAx8UCQncrcKOjC82LsRakSkdLMPOqa1W5BsejHnHHOKDQ/s1600/IMG_7853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HOBXHgcmCORKnojKypuTF3gW4bsWMhl5Pekq6aw8I4JboeKj9zZLlWVKfVtAopPzAj1PmJPAqjAyP7DCGXGt9iMcUPU5ZEAx8UCQncrcKOjC82LsRakSkdLMPOqa1W5BsejHnHHOKDQ/s400/IMG_7853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fig tree (<i>Ficus carica</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1348">The</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1349">historic</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1350">charm</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1351">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1352">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1353">mountain</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1354">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1355">well</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1356">represented</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1357">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1358">the</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1359">sanctuary</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1360">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1361">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1362">Virgin</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1363">Mary</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1364">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1365">Montserrat</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1366">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1367">its</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1368">beautiful</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1369">monastery</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1370">at</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1371">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1372">foot</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1373">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1374">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1375">mountain.</span> <span class="greenClass context_menu" id="ws1376"><span class="phrase_anchor">Some </span>of the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1377">buildings</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1378">in</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1379">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1380">compound</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1381">date</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1382">back</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1383">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1384">the</span>
<span class="context_menu blackClass" id="ws1385" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="phrase_anchor">1300s,</span></span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1386">and</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1387">before!</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1388">The</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1389">church,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1390">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1391">jagged</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1392">arid</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1393">peaks</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1394">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1395">the</span>
<span class="redClass context_menu" id="ws1396"><span class="phrase_anchor">montane</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1397">ambiance</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1398">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1399">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1400">sanctuary</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1401">makes</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1402">it</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1403">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1404">very</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1405">peaceful</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1406">place</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1407">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1408">scape</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1409">from</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1410">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1411">craziness</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1412">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1413">La</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1414">Rambla</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1415">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1416">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1417">streets</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1418">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1419">Barcelona.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1420">To</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1421">add</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1422">more</span> to <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1423">the</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1424">charms,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1425">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1426">mountain</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1427">has</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1428">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1429">small</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1430">farmer's</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1431">market</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1432">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1433">many</span> <span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1434"><span class="phrase_anchor">local</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1435">cheese</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1436">makers</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1437">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1438">other</span> <span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1439"><span class="phrase_anchor">local</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1440">farmers</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1441">selling</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1442">outstanding</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1443">cheeses,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1444">confectionery</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1445">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1446">honey.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1447">The</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat%C3%B3" target="_blank"><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1448">mató</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1449">cheese</span></a> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1450">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1451">honey,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1452">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1453">local</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1454">specialty,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1455">is</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1456">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1457">must-try.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1458">Another</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1459">cheese</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1460">that</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1461">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1462">clearly</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1463">remember</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1464">was</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1465">an</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1466">extremely</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1467">piquant</span> <span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1468"><span class="phrase_anchor">blue</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1469">goat</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1470">cheese</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1471">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1472">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1473">killer</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1474">kick</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1475">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1476">it.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1477">Take</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1478">a</span>
<span class="blueClass context_menu" id="ws1479"><span class="phrase_anchor">blue</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1480">goat</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1481">cheese</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1482">from</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1483">your</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1484">local</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1485">grocery</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1486">store</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1487">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1488">multiply</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1489">that</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1490">flavor</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1491">100</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1492">times </span><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1493">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1494">you</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1495">get</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1496">a</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1497">spicy</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1498">flavor</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1499">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1500">remember</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1501">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1502">rest</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1503">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1504">your</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1505">life...</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1506">That</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1507">was</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1508">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1509">only</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1510">cheese</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1511">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1512">didn't</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1513">like</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1514">though</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1515">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1516">other</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1517">rosemary</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1518">scented</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1519">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1520">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1521">many</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1522">other</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1523">cheeses</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1524">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1525">honey</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1526">were</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1527">out</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1528">of</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1529">this</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1530">world.</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1531">If</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1532">you</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1533">travel</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1534">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1535">Barcelona</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1536">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1537">appreciate</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1538">rural</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1539">areas</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1540">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1541">nature,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1542">which</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1543">I</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1544">assume</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1545">you</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1546">do</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1547">if</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1548">you</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1549">are</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1550">reading</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1551">this</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1552">blog,</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1553">definitely</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1554">escape</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1555">to</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1556">Montserrat</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1557">and</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1558">enjoy</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1559">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1560">Old</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1561">World's</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1562">countryside.</span><br />
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<span class="greenClass context_menu" id="ws1563"><span class="phrase_anchor">Check </span>out</span> <a href="http://www.josemadeinspain.com/popUp/Eng106PenedesMontserrat.htm" target="_blank"><span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1564">this</span> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1565">video</span></a> <span class="blackClass" id="ws1566">from</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1567">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1568">DC-based</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1569">celebrity</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1570">chef</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1571">José</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1572">Andrés</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1573">savoring</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1574">the</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1575">local</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1576">wines</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1577">and</span>
<span class="redClass context_menu" id="ws1578"><span class="phrase_anchor">the delicious mató</span></span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1579">cheese</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1580">with</span> <span class="blackClass context_menu" id="ws1581">honey.</span> </div>Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-11567002636083372802012-02-01T08:06:00.000-05:002012-02-03T18:29:53.027-05:00Invasive Plants, Are They Really That Bad?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gFtVRCrV6ehzYrSCgFrFL4BOXedxx7B1eeTcpeZOUdv2SvhCFviNNpXRTmoGZ_EfI83CHhqiNYgCjEfJ7lQbWwGus2LT0gKp2EFHJIJGSLHNrFiRPM6Hqd7_1uj-iX4RAg5hgj9kHXA/s1600/Garlic+mustard+%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gFtVRCrV6ehzYrSCgFrFL4BOXedxx7B1eeTcpeZOUdv2SvhCFviNNpXRTmoGZ_EfI83CHhqiNYgCjEfJ7lQbWwGus2LT0gKp2EFHJIJGSLHNrFiRPM6Hqd7_1uj-iX4RAg5hgj9kHXA/s400/Garlic+mustard+%283%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="st"><i>Garlic mustard</i> (Alliaria petiolata), an European herb, is one of the most sought-after "villains" on the East Coast of the U.S. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Some people when first faced with the overwhelming task of removing invasive plants get an internal twinge of suspicion about the true effectiveness of such an enterprise. A sense of questioning rises within you. That's when you ask yourself skeptical questions like, is this right? Are we ever gonna win this battle? Don't these plants come back like crazy a month or less after you remove them? Is this gardening, or, restoration? Does this make any sense? Even when you know you are doing something that is supposed to be right you can't really help wondering. Well, at least I did, and still do...<br />
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I'm not going to say that invasive species are not a problem because it is clear that some nonnative species have really become invasive and caused enormous ecological and economical damages. But, it is also clear that <a href="http://live.psu.edu/story/57181" target="_blank">they are a minority</a> of all the introduced species. All I'm trying to do here is just bring up the other side of the story, and foster some critical thinking. There's a very interesting <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110608153538.htm">"counter-invasion biology school of thought" </a>going on that is refuting the lack of scientific substance of many of the claims insisted on by invasion biologists and conservationists for at least the last two decades. These invasion biology mavericks are not some senseless fools, they are renowned scientists that really know what they are talking about. They just want to bring back disinterested science to the table and steer away from the black and white assumptions predominant in the invasion biology world.<br />
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Last year I attended an interesting symposium at the Annual Meeting of the <a href="http://www.aaas.org/">AAA</a> here in DC, that's when I first heard of <a href="http://www.biohabitats.com/ndg_newsite/newsletter/2011winter/interview2.php" target="_blank">Mark Davis (Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota)</a>. Davis is one of the main critics of invasion biology, I thought his lecture had really good points and he didn't reduce his speech to accusatory "invasion biologists are Nazis", like other opponents do. Since then, I've been reading some of his stuff, and, I'm really liking it, I think his assertions are genuinely science-based! The bias of some invasive species people is sometimes preposterous, from biologist with high academic credentials to the go native gardeners and backyard weed pullers. One of Davis' main points is that the negative impacts of invasive species have been largely overgeneralized and exaggerated. He also points out that <i>ecosystems change</i>,thus, we are witnessing rapidly changing ecosystems and not necessarily ecosystems <i>"harmed" </i>by invasive species as it is often claimed without any scientific evidence. The highly subjective and value-based premise that all nonnatives are bad and natives are good is also anything but scientific. Unfortunately an awful lot of people take that stance very literally and all too often with a zeal that borders on fanaticism. Native species like the Pine bark beetle or the Colorado potato beetle have become invasive and caused a lot of trouble, according to Davis. Also think about the abundant Poison ivy here on the east coast, so loved by birds and so hated by many people even knowing that it is a native species. At the end they are all species, they are nature, some are old locals and others are newcomers. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgWOq5SknvdKI-c2YyPj2tc9EKrH1KSA6XowX87T2A8MZo-Tadx_eDb2asod2_KtxJu0OZLDe5d15hvXBATnm6Wn3-0ttFbJ-2O3HvO7Vav08ctl2r1K4zkwLDtEwVSXYBMSqM_1Lw3I/s1600/Wineberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgWOq5SknvdKI-c2YyPj2tc9EKrH1KSA6XowX87T2A8MZo-Tadx_eDb2asod2_KtxJu0OZLDe5d15hvXBATnm6Wn3-0ttFbJ-2O3HvO7Vav08ctl2r1K4zkwLDtEwVSXYBMSqM_1Lw3I/s400/Wineberry.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="st">Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) is an Asian shrub whose edible raspberries are heavily dispersed by birds and mammals. It is considered invasive in the north half of the East Coast of the U.S. </span></i><span style="color: #12440f;"><i> </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table> So, the question is: have we gone too far? Are we being eco-bigots? Whether in the tropical forests or the temperate woodlands of North America many conservationists feel strongly about our pristine, pre-colonial ecosystems and the natural heritage represented by what we call native species. That's fine and we should definitely encourage the use of native plants for landscaping and restoration. But, are we gonna be able to bring ecosystems back to what they were 70, 100, 300 or 600 years ago? Are we really going to be able to reverse the course of the seemingly fast expanding <a href="http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/143/1/IND43920256.pdf" target="_blank">novel ecosystems</a> by pulling invasive plants? Are we gonna be able to create invasive species-free ecosystems? I really don't think so. <br />
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Another important question is: Do we want to protect species diversity or ecosystem services? Perhaps, many ecosystems are disturbed enough and are so deeply modified that they have reached a point of no return. Maybe we should just leave the highly adaptable invasive species alone in those places and let them provide important ecosystems services such as carbon sequestration, reduction of heat island effect in the cities, etc. We are, without a doubt, facing novel ecosystems here --well, at least in the DC area. These are ecosystems with a significant component of nonnative species. Rather than being the game changers, invasive species are moving in to fill in new niches and to take advantage of habitat conditions that have occurred as a result of a greater change. Climate change, for instance, is modifying habitats and shifting species distributions altitudinally and latitudinally and at anastonishingly fast pace. Also, changes in the nitrogen cycle around the globe are modifying aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in extremely complex ways, perhaps faster than we can humanely understand.<br />
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At my work I still do invasive plant management work, but after reading about new opinions, scientific evidence and other perspectives I have a different mindset. Now I look at invasives with different eyes and have even taken some management decisions along the lines of refocusing and prioritizing on what's really harmful. Or at least on the worst actors where there is some sort of evidence of their real environmental impacts, not just based on their nativity. I think that the field of invasion biology will change in the next decade or so, not only that, even the discipline of ecological restoration will change since it is based on bringing back ecosystems to that 'historical natural stage' which is, veritably, determined by us and our values.<br />
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I have to admit, the loss of our native species will always be something worrisome and frankly sad for many of us, but in some instances it responds to extremely complex factors that we might not even be able to tackle. But people should at least listen to other opinions and leave the religious-like vehemence and subjectivity to the chapels and art studios. New research and fresh brains working in these fields will bring some adaptive change to redirect the scarce resources available into more sound and realistic conservation and restoration actions. <br />
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AMZP88PDSKPQJorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-23468066020288878352012-01-11T08:24:00.000-05:002012-01-11T08:24:06.004-05:00Costa Rica, Con Ingredientes Artificiales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCECbSOInbiPfCNx18sBO-EZW2e2EU5N2oslShOidI_T547oqs2DkJTG7Xciw5YD4YgyEXaLqaeF0fEWjGqBfvpC0VbctzTkbEkGLuU_-NWxBJx8SEoh7OF0zyOQ6BcTk0NqvRVcc9r1Q/s1600/Pi%25C3%25B1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCECbSOInbiPfCNx18sBO-EZW2e2EU5N2oslShOidI_T547oqs2DkJTG7Xciw5YD4YgyEXaLqaeF0fEWjGqBfvpC0VbctzTkbEkGLuU_-NWxBJx8SEoh7OF0zyOQ6BcTk0NqvRVcc9r1Q/s400/Pi%25C3%25B1a.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Sí, ha leído bien, <b>CON</b> ingredientes artificiales. La famosa campaña internacional de promoción turística lanzada por el Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) hace ya varios años suena cada vez más cliché en la Costa Rica de hoy. La realidad ambiental que se vive en en el país respalda mi variante del slogan. <br />
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<a href="http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/index.php/biblioteca-virtual/costa-rica/estado-de-la-nacion/sinopsis/informe-xvii"><b>El Informe XVII <b>Estado de la Nación</b> (2010) </b></a>apunta al preocupante aumento en la importación de plaguicidas, la más alta en la historia del país. En realidad esto no debería sorprender tanto ya que el sector agrícola de Costa Rica siempre ha estado lejos de ser sostenible ambientalmente. Los que han visitado una finca de producción convencional de piña, banano o palma africana bien saben a lo que me refiero. Incluso los pequeños y medianos agricultores con la premisa de "mejor que sobre y no que falte" sobreaplican agroquímicos. El aumento es lo que preocupa, ya que nos da una buena idea de la magnitud de los daños que este sector está ejerciendo en el medio ambiente. Al uso de agroquímicos hay que sumarle otros daños que implican las operaciones agrícolas convencionales: la erosión y destrucción de los suelos; la contaminación de las aguas y otros daños serios a los recursos naturales.<br />
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El informe advierte de lo reacio que ha sido el sector para mejorar su desempeño con respecto a la sostenibilidad. También de su alta dependencia en los agroquímicos y de sus tecnologías nada ecoamigables, pero más rentables a corto plazo. Asimismo, el área de cultivos agrícolas aumentó en 3% con respecto al 2009. La piña, el tercer mayor cultivo del país, es el que se lleva el premio por su conflictividad ambiental. Sólo en el 2009 el Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo (TAA) tramitaba 36 denuncias contra compañías piñeras en Alajuela, Puntarenas y Limón. <a href="http://www.nacion.com/2010-12-09/ElPais/NotasSecundarias/ElPais2617221.aspx"><b>En ese mismo año se pudieron constatar casos de contaminación de acuíferos y acueductos rurales en Siquirres, en la provincia de Limón.</b></a> La mortalidad de distintos animales domésticos y silvestres por plaguicidas se ha reportado en el país en numerosas ocasiones, por lo menos en las últimas cuatro décadas, (¡imaginemos los casos que no han sido documentados!) incluyendo: vacas, abejas melíferas, peces, aves y otros animales. <br />
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La exigua o nula sostenibilidad ambiental del sector agrícola en Costa Rica, caracterizado por su "agroquímico-dependencia" y su destrucción ambiental, es indudable. Esto no solo afecta a las plantas o los animales silvestres,<b> estamos hablando de la degradación de los suelos y de la contaminación de las fuentes de agua potable para la población, de nuestra agua.</b> <b>¡Peor aún, pensar en las implicaciones que esta contaminación ambiental pueda tener en la salud de los y las costarricenses!</b> Las áreas silvestres protegidas no necesariamente son oasis ecológicos inmunes a estos impactos que ocurren fuera de sus límites. Más bien, los ecosistemas se encuentran intrincadamente conectados en el paisaje, y en las cuencas hidrográficas, por una serie de procesos bióticos y abióticos. Las malas prácticas agrícolas no solo afectan las áreas circunvecinas, sino también, todas las áreas bajas en la gradiente altitudinal incluyendo los humedales --ecosistemas, que por cierto, el mismo informe comunica que se encuentran desatendidos por el SINAC- y los ecosistemas marino-costeros, que son de gran importancia para los sectores pesquero y turístico. Por otro lado, el área de cultivos orgánicos, aunque ha aumentado en más de 3.000 ha, apenas representa el 2% del área agrícola total.<br />
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Este informe debería ser un jalón de orejas para todos los costarricenses, para que se empiece a considerar <b>seriamente</b> la promoción de cultivos y prácticas forestales, agrícolas y pecuarias sostenibles. Tenemos los sistemas agroforestales y agrosilvopastoriles que <b>tanto</b> se han investigado en el país; la agricultura orgánica, que se debería expandir e incentivar por medio de políticas oficiales inteligentes. Se podrían hacer tantas cosas buenas para contrarrestar este modelo agropecuario existente... El slogan turístico (no el del título de arriba) debería reflejar la realidad de Costa Rica, la realidad de un país pequeño pero progresista y líder mundial en sostenibilidad ambiental. Un país realmente verde. No debería de ser el hazmereír de ticos y extranjeros. Sin embargo, la realidad es otra y hará falta muchísimo esfuerzo, pragmatismo, participación ciudadana, cooperación y voluntad para llegar a ese estado, si es que algún día llegamos...Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-85727049992985076472011-12-31T13:44:00.000-05:002011-12-31T13:44:44.494-05:00Reflexiones de Fin de Año (2011-2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOii9awWSdsrFA4z1Bn3sMIiIr_MPS4uF5SdSVlC-2ON8uRjOaItNNvrAXuh-NeOLpBk9BgPNBgDlsyU4oOX8XUlM5n6tDwVgwYw6MZRAwm1RsdS06iygUQyQd2H1kEox8ylAbT3ehq7Q/s1600/Fotos+Cost+Rica+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOii9awWSdsrFA4z1Bn3sMIiIr_MPS4uF5SdSVlC-2ON8uRjOaItNNvrAXuh-NeOLpBk9BgPNBgDlsyU4oOX8XUlM5n6tDwVgwYw6MZRAwm1RsdS06iygUQyQd2H1kEox8ylAbT3ehq7Q/s400/Fotos+Cost+Rica+270.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Con este año 2011 casi llegando a su fin, y con este sol radiante y estos vientos alisios refrescando la tierra herediana, mi tierra; las remembranzas, añoranzas e ilusiones no han tardardo mucho en manifestarse. Estas son solo unas pequeñas reflexiones de fin de año.<br />
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Primero que nada estoy perpetuamente agradecido de haber nacido en Costa Rica y de tener la familia que tengo. Los ticos a veces somos muy quejumbrosos, pero la verdad es que nuestro país ha sido privilegiado por muchas cosas buenas que otros países no tienen o tienen poco: paz, educación, salud, estabilidad... Es claro que muchas de esas cosas buenas que han caracterizado al país se encuentran amenazadas y se necesitarán luchas y esfuerzos para mantenerlas o rescatarlas. Más bien, necesitamos muchísimo más trabajo para seguir adelante. Estamos en una coyuntura, ¡o hacemos algo para salir adelante o nos lleva puta!<br />
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No todo es negro, hay gente que hace las cosas bien, por el bien del país, hay ejemplos de eso en las calles. Para salir adelante hay que cambiar de actitud, hay que dejar el egocentrismo, la mentalidad aldeana que cree que somos muy pequeños y todo mundo es más grande y mejor que nosotros; la serruchadera de piso; y más que todo hay que pensar en grande (y con creatividad y originalidad). La corrupción no solo existe en Zapote o en Cuesta de Moras, la corrupción empieza en cada uno de nosotros. Corrupto es el que de forma negligente irrespeta las señales de tránsito sin pensar en la seguridad de los demás, el que soborna para obtener su licencia de conducir, etc, etc. Si todos se pusieran a revisar su accionar diario se darían cuenta que son tan corruptos como muchos de nuestros políticos --la única diferencia es que los políticos son de primera división. Con ese valeverguismo solo se irá para atrás.<br />
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Aunque los pronósticos de la situación económica mundial no son tan halagueños, lo único que podemos hacer es seguir adelante, trabajando (en el caso de mi esposa y yo por el bien de la gente y la tierra!), pasando tiempo de calidad con los seres queridos y ha esperar lo mejor con una actitud positiva. Este año 2011 ha sido excelente, aunque no han pasado mayores cosas, estoy absolutamente feliz y agradecido con la vida.<br />
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Espero que este año 2012 sea un año de éxitos, paz, salud, estabilidad, buenos tiempos con los seres queridos y un año en que el pongamos nuestro granito de arena para hacer nuestro <i>modus vivendi</i> más sostenible. Poco a poco con pequeños ajustes y sacrificios en nuestras vidas. Recordemos que esta tierra tiene una capacidad de carga limitada...<br />
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¡Feliz Año Nuevo 2012!Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-22696828878622218392011-10-01T15:03:00.000-04:002011-10-01T15:03:50.596-04:00Autompne<i>Autompne</i>, is the Old French root word for autumn, later latinized as <i>autumnus </i>(according to Wikipedia). Or Fall, what they call it here in North America. With this seasonal new look and some shots I've taken in the last three years, I'd like to celebrate my (definite) favorite season of the year in these latitudes. <br />
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The passage of the Autumnal Equinox about a week ago, the sun moving South, the pumpkins lined up outside grocery stores -as well as the Fall beers hitting the shelves-, tree foliage starting to shed and change in color, acorns falling down, bucks shedding their velvet, and the amazing Fall weather starting to kick in... is that wonderful time of the year again! Enjoy these photos from the Washington, DC area and the Appalachian mountains. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VNfH1AQpbO7fdPnVoUtQohZYdHLNhcWUC-BTg7INJzrYurlsmfCyEKGCz2GXg6jFV5mVXXm_i6iVhQo-8UOTAd4JQgbJBUw5uC5DW2PwY0ojULj0-7zvMwEy2Ijvoaa4ikA_OaIqBDk/s1600/IMG_4360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VNfH1AQpbO7fdPnVoUtQohZYdHLNhcWUC-BTg7INJzrYurlsmfCyEKGCz2GXg6jFV5mVXXm_i6iVhQo-8UOTAd4JQgbJBUw5uC5DW2PwY0ojULj0-7zvMwEy2Ijvoaa4ikA_OaIqBDk/s320/IMG_4360.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtnV3HBlRjij1_NqdxBBpRCxuN0Ldge6dm8SvIKBj3LO_E0T-XhyphenhyphenzmFNBdQNX8E1VB4brOcWI9TCzgOue4A9F9SysZERVwR93iN4XCbvQSx9ro_CBslMWI_jsWV13EfF48uMUBSFrc8E/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtnV3HBlRjij1_NqdxBBpRCxuN0Ldge6dm8SvIKBj3LO_E0T-XhyphenhyphenzmFNBdQNX8E1VB4brOcWI9TCzgOue4A9F9SysZERVwR93iN4XCbvQSx9ro_CBslMWI_jsWV13EfF48uMUBSFrc8E/s320/IMG_4385.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-43fE3tmYEPo7_laYWPMAXL8XaBIjNxp90vcJfSSAJ_nvfnhUzjqk6diU8KFqiVZL1Dr1jYCnqmN1PJzfl8_OdiMxoRkJCeavl2I1s_KHpIByG7ed_iEOyKWtAIhhUtIev7MvoPGkFgI/s1600/IMG_4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-43fE3tmYEPo7_laYWPMAXL8XaBIjNxp90vcJfSSAJ_nvfnhUzjqk6diU8KFqiVZL1Dr1jYCnqmN1PJzfl8_OdiMxoRkJCeavl2I1s_KHpIByG7ed_iEOyKWtAIhhUtIev7MvoPGkFgI/s320/IMG_4398.JPG" /></a></div><i>This is a Hickory tree (Carya sp.), one of my favorites in the Fall.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w7DGFKBOBg_dBfdfvcEOV8NY4TzELobDqtBLbrR0R6Wj0chyphenhyphenOC9QYr5GJluzu0klJ4etYl5UxOrSdmgDSNhmYv7oegjx97RePJ4WK1UE_N_4Vq5PmXS04bsgAvgC7np6G35TEo1cwYQ/s1600/IMG_8604+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w7DGFKBOBg_dBfdfvcEOV8NY4TzELobDqtBLbrR0R6Wj0chyphenhyphenOC9QYr5GJluzu0klJ4etYl5UxOrSdmgDSNhmYv7oegjx97RePJ4WK1UE_N_4Vq5PmXS04bsgAvgC7np6G35TEo1cwYQ/s320/IMG_8604+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHUHxSs-nU7flur8-bTgMyOr43QSI5PAHg9EEM3DkJRmezsR6ueks8ZnRGk7M4Zk12J0QjKpIGAXoVv6Q6lsrM0maA4098McvXmMlRIR7nLG4hIDeE9gKa7Nit0erIFdE1M84PG2g450/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHUHxSs-nU7flur8-bTgMyOr43QSI5PAHg9EEM3DkJRmezsR6ueks8ZnRGk7M4Zk12J0QjKpIGAXoVv6Q6lsrM0maA4098McvXmMlRIR7nLG4hIDeE9gKa7Nit0erIFdE1M84PG2g450/s320/IMG_4425.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc9FCROuxZc_riJTZXUiJ4b4oXSDIVgIcb0bkvuWUP5JzGDLL7UIlkonxOej3DnYI08KwzCI9SHN23wWovP7TrmMlwPWJ6Ypfgcl7fyqBicya_B-93Ujxr0HL_DAH4PcnXivZzHVL8rU/s1600/IMG_8808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc9FCROuxZc_riJTZXUiJ4b4oXSDIVgIcb0bkvuWUP5JzGDLL7UIlkonxOej3DnYI08KwzCI9SHN23wWovP7TrmMlwPWJ6Ypfgcl7fyqBicya_B-93Ujxr0HL_DAH4PcnXivZzHVL8rU/s320/IMG_8808.JPG" /></a></div><i>Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIXR85-1gmCIrGRJDnUBB3NKSEc0RgK2I8cpzbCMtzCotLR0HAjsTjZmC_Z9lhLFw13Lfoa5tkPdT1kn43w7taxztyZTPiR9FTwtbrgsekXmjs9aTUM-Zdf6W6ny0PEMHRW7JJW3sRf0/s1600/IMG_8609+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIXR85-1gmCIrGRJDnUBB3NKSEc0RgK2I8cpzbCMtzCotLR0HAjsTjZmC_Z9lhLFw13Lfoa5tkPdT1kn43w7taxztyZTPiR9FTwtbrgsekXmjs9aTUM-Zdf6W6ny0PEMHRW7JJW3sRf0/s320/IMG_8609+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoaNGlOKn5Cicj4MJ3v9OB8q9stNwd3ST83VLvOmjjGTA32QHzkALKROXbUqe8KDeWPBkdIQ3Cp8bUFq4u5DbOviZPSOQPLHBb2PheRUEiP8q-8xvBmhyo_oAe8ANA-mK0WBl5JoqpNc/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoaNGlOKn5Cicj4MJ3v9OB8q9stNwd3ST83VLvOmjjGTA32QHzkALKROXbUqe8KDeWPBkdIQ3Cp8bUFq4u5DbOviZPSOQPLHBb2PheRUEiP8q-8xvBmhyo_oAe8ANA-mK0WBl5JoqpNc/s320/IMG_8805.JPG" /></a></div><i>Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZNXh1i5ZwPrAiakTqAkmPt1SZRF3FYO0Bo_zRVMaRQhFK50upW_tCWPFo4zI4Fb9dC7I_0rwLFZ8OjvkNlzg2y4rga0Utj0IYVSG-WuTjBjv9fmNBX6etpuKkdwT4u5AURJ2oAmxnx0/s1600/IMG_8634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZNXh1i5ZwPrAiakTqAkmPt1SZRF3FYO0Bo_zRVMaRQhFK50upW_tCWPFo4zI4Fb9dC7I_0rwLFZ8OjvkNlzg2y4rga0Utj0IYVSG-WuTjBjv9fmNBX6etpuKkdwT4u5AURJ2oAmxnx0/s320/IMG_8634.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg_TqRPqtrZ9RurFJGFfm2PkiYOYW6MXj08Yblt_GlAVzXjnh2qOCcEoR-1bGeAqLcJZKlObr9l8dxcaVLybhqlHFk2XHxzLxcVF3FXX61l93apOLy5mTFwZD_ef1iQ0kxW8zH9LxLhA/s1600/IMG_8619+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg_TqRPqtrZ9RurFJGFfm2PkiYOYW6MXj08Yblt_GlAVzXjnh2qOCcEoR-1bGeAqLcJZKlObr9l8dxcaVLybhqlHFk2XHxzLxcVF3FXX61l93apOLy5mTFwZD_ef1iQ0kxW8zH9LxLhA/s320/IMG_8619+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></div><i>Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttm33ef-wuyPHYcgcaX3bxqxfgBzb9Kp6X6GDfkJgGJey8bNh81ClKCb5rIaTUY1g14KTlBZ8LeMQsBZRRrjSbCn_hMEIIpbLS872zVjogfEwTuccpgnB6AJRuG6CRHLFWm2kX_g77NU/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttm33ef-wuyPHYcgcaX3bxqxfgBzb9Kp6X6GDfkJgGJey8bNh81ClKCb5rIaTUY1g14KTlBZ8LeMQsBZRRrjSbCn_hMEIIpbLS872zVjogfEwTuccpgnB6AJRuG6CRHLFWm2kX_g77NU/s320/IMG_8814.JPG" /></a></div><i>Breaux Vineyards, Purcellville, Virginia. </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqQoE-DXBR0Lhr0W0ETZjSRSfwxp6vJyCnNfcJqbxxH34JabYy__P0nG6L17xL2jgZuo0UXMW1QuActql-iY0szWr9avPXgvRAJ_cwZkz-EnYZGRAVzusnHY4NxKj95FITD-sN7Ymje0/s1600/IMG_8817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqQoE-DXBR0Lhr0W0ETZjSRSfwxp6vJyCnNfcJqbxxH34JabYy__P0nG6L17xL2jgZuo0UXMW1QuActql-iY0szWr9avPXgvRAJ_cwZkz-EnYZGRAVzusnHY4NxKj95FITD-sN7Ymje0/s320/IMG_8817.JPG" /></a></div><i>Breaux Vineyards, Purcellville, Virginia. </i><br />
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If you live in the north temperate zone of the world, have a great Fall season!!Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-11205824591788222692011-09-24T18:26:00.001-04:002011-09-24T18:39:44.085-04:00Of Sustainable Farming and Decent Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNmbuHUCDD0z9Mk4ygvlOuiwgpJj9UIVfxF1eCLOUG3LFdn9IOP8RTKmj9B3_viWn1vwNhwenfUxvmDC7fFKyNAMLyy-03ZHlFA97zFnF67CSQL0Ki8vuJa2E0pE8GUyBAcnfjS54uzA/s1600/Feria+y+mercado+%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNmbuHUCDD0z9Mk4ygvlOuiwgpJj9UIVfxF1eCLOUG3LFdn9IOP8RTKmj9B3_viWn1vwNhwenfUxvmDC7fFKyNAMLyy-03ZHlFA97zFnF67CSQL0Ki8vuJa2E0pE8GUyBAcnfjS54uzA/s320/Feria+y+mercado+%252821%2529.jpg" /></a></div><i>Saturday farmers market in my hometown of Heredia, Costa Rica.</i><br />
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The fact that I’m writing these words from the USA makes this title seem somewhat oxymoronic. Well, not at all. While this country is infamous for its plutocracy of unscrupulous agribusiness and fast food giants that have created a culture of processed foods, there is an interesting food revolution going on here. From <a href="http://honest-food.net/">locavorism</a> and an organic farming craze to the mounting urban farming movement where <a href="http://rooftopfarms.org/">rooftops become farms</a> for vegetable growing, chicken raising and apiculture in the big cities. There is, undeniably, a growing appetite for fresh, good quality, decent, and real food here in America. <br />
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While in the rest of the world the norm has been enjoying nice food prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients by using traditional methods --often bequeathed by granma. Here in the U.S., corporate giants, bought out nutritional scientists, and FDA officials (also bought out) have been teaching people how to eat highly processed, ‘safe’ and packaged food. The result has been a food catastrophe that has affected the essential relationship between people and food, not only in this country but also in the rest of the world where this system has been exported. Not to mention the bleak public health issues that it has created… For an outstanding reference on this topic, <a href="http://michaelpollan.com/books/in-defense-of-food/">I highly recommend Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food, An Eater’s Manifesto</a>, simply a tour de force.<br />
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Naturally, this system has produced many opponents that are trying to bring back decency to that essential relationship between people and food. People that want to bring back the good all natural food. Farmers markets, sustainable agriculture, Community Supported Agriculture and a demand for local produce are mushrooming far and wide. Even entire stores and supermarkets are selling groceries produced sustainably and with the health of the consumer in mind. Actually, the number of small, local and organic farmers has increased in the U.S. in the last decade and with it the number of farmer markets. The big problem: organic products are more expensive, and will be for a while. Only a momentous change in the economics that surround food could change this. <br />
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In Costa Rica I have seen the sad and gradual change from a culture of farmers markets to a culture of supermarkets, or as people there say, the “super”. People think that getting your vegetables wrapped in plastic and a styrofoam container is the right way. The damnation of globalization! Fortunately there are still a lot of people that prefer to head out to the streets on Saturday morning with their grocery bags looking for fresher produce, and the interaction with the farmers, the way it should be. Something I’ve learned from my parents. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-viHwE-wA2GUtEMadt2VQ3he0oWAKgaYwEjoVplGPhzrJD6D2pssWNUcVSfzzO5h9uqVOHAquOdJzN2Vy82-W4tTAF_aaGskNt-aZ6YtvX5eCjvIAfbWlEMmaL_eHrkLn1NmRGwZ-W1I/s1600/Silver+Spring+Farmers+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-viHwE-wA2GUtEMadt2VQ3he0oWAKgaYwEjoVplGPhzrJD6D2pssWNUcVSfzzO5h9uqVOHAquOdJzN2Vy82-W4tTAF_aaGskNt-aZ6YtvX5eCjvIAfbWlEMmaL_eHrkLn1NmRGwZ-W1I/s320/Silver+Spring+Farmers+Market.jpg" /></a></div><i>Saturday farmers market, Silver Spring, Maryland. </i><br />
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The craze for sustainable agriculture and socially conscious foods has benefitted small farmers from around the world too. From the cocoa and coffee growers of Central America to the tea growers of India and Southeast Asia. The methods used in these agricultural production systems employ eco-friendly practices and also result in livelihood benefits for small farmers. These are pertinent steps towards a real culture of sustainability that is desperately needed in this era of booming world population, natural resources depletion, climate change and inequality. Small farmers are key players to boost this culture of sustainability. It is clear that the conventional intensive farming methods have been one of the main causes of environmental destruction in the world. This kind of farming has been very speedy at jeopardizing vital natural resources such as soil and water, which ultimately result in declines in productivity, something we don’t really need under the current context of human population growth. So, it’s clear that farming as usual is not doing the job; in fact it is causing more trouble. <br />
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We need a change of paradigm in the way we produce our food, but most importantly in the way we relate to food. The culture of egregious food and the McDonaldization of the world have only brought environmental and socio-economic woes and epidemics. We need to produce food sustainably by using a combination of traditional and innovative farming practices with a conservation approach that result in a smaller carbon footprint and better livelihoods for all. We need to integrate agroecosystems and natural systems in the landscape, reuse, recycle, use energy wisely, use soil conservation practices, manage agricultural runoff, expand agroforestry systems, organic agriculture, and so forth. This can only be achieved with sustainable agriculture and <a href="http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/spi/en/">sustainable intensification of crop production</a>, that’s the only choice.Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-85132284560028210072011-07-04T11:55:00.002-04:002011-07-04T11:59:24.069-04:00Anzuelos, Cuerdas y Conservación<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZoH9evtzjyzeDaECuaCC1p5MM3zwJukcZJ4baexiYlOjgts3Uzz9hsKficb1CGyGggNn7nymV-ZPDpHcwMeaBUyNoykMaZKegk22C1wiWHHDws8CJLCNxVjGO8AY-DchivVSSHf42F4/s1600/P.+dovii+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="199" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZoH9evtzjyzeDaECuaCC1p5MM3zwJukcZJ4baexiYlOjgts3Uzz9hsKficb1CGyGggNn7nymV-ZPDpHcwMeaBUyNoykMaZKegk22C1wiWHHDws8CJLCNxVjGO8AY-DchivVSSHf42F4/s320/P.+dovii+4.jpg" /></a></div>Ejemplar juvenil de Guapote lagunero (<i>Parachromis dovii</i>) en el río Sucio, Sarapiquí.<br />
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A veces pareciera que la pesca en Costa Rica es sólo un asunto de turistas viejos posando con sus trofeos escamados en lujosos yates en el Océano Pacífico o de pueblerinos desinformados (sobre) pescando para obtener su ración proteínica. En esta ocasión me referiré a la pesca de agua dulce y cómo se pierden valiosas oportunidades de conservación y hasta de generación de empleos al ignorar la importancia de esta actividad y al sobreexplotar inmisericordemente los recursos pesqueros dulceacuícolas.<br />
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Costa Rica cuenta con varias ecorregiones en donde abundan los humedales, ríos y quebradas. Existen al menos 135 especies de peces de agua dulce, de las cuales<a href="http://www.inbio.ac.cr/es/biod/minae/Estudio_Pais/estudio/anexo2.html"> al menos 14 son endémicas</a>, y por supuesto de gran valor para la conservación. <a href="http://pescamax.foroactivo.com/t671-tipos-de-peces-y-su-pesca-con-senuelos-en-los-rios-y-lagunas-de-costa-rica-por-jose-manuel-lopez-pinto">Varias especies son de gran importancia para la pesca de subsistencia y la pesca deportiva.</a> Los recursos pesqueros dulceacuícolas de Costa Rica son ubérrimos, pero no para siempre. El mal manejo de las cuencas hidrográficas ha resultado en crecientes problemas de contaminación de las aguas, impermeabilización de los suelos debido al desarrollo urbano mal planificado, erosión de las márgenes fluviales, sedimentación y una preocupante sobreexplotación pesquera. Es éste pobre manejo, o más bien la carencia de un manejo adecuado, lo que está arrasando con nuestra biota acuática y la oportunidad de conservar estos valiosos recursos a perpetuidad. No solo por su valor intrínseco sino por su importancia económica para la sociedad costarricense. Y con respecto a conservar hago referencia a la siguiente definición: <b>uso racional de los recursos naturales sin desperdiciarlos</b>. <br />
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La cultura del preservacionismo como única opción para la protección de los recursos naturales, una visión predominante en Costa Rica, ignora que los seres humanos somos parte de los ecosistemas, y en dicha calidad, somos usuarios de los recursos naturales; lo hemos sido desde tiempos inmemoriales. No me mal interpreten, creo que deben de existir áreas protegidas para la preservación absoluta de recursos naturales frágiles, indudablemente. Pero también deben de existir áreas destinadas a la <b>conservación</b> en donde se den usos consumptivos de los recursos naturales, siempre y cuando éstos sean sostenibles. Descartando en esta aserción los proyectos mineros de Oscar Arias y otros disparates ambientales que están lejos de ser sostenibles. La pesca es un excelente ejemplo de un uso sostenible que se le puede dar a los recursos biológicos en ciertas áreas protegidas. Se da perfectamente en áreas silvestres protegidas en Estados Unidos y Canadá por ejemplo. <br />
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Una vez conversando con un señor mayor en Puerto Jiménez (Península de Osa, Costa Rica), el señor aludió a la pesquería de los alrededores del muelle del pueblo como "perreada". El señor describía la condición sobreexplotada del sitio debido al gran numero de pescadores que frecuentaban el muelle para pescar. En aquel momento el término me pareció muy jocoso y certero, desde entonces lo he hecho parte de mi léxico para referirme a sitios afectados por la sobrepesca. <br />
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Es claro, pues, que muchos de los cuerpos fluviales del país se encuentran tremendamente perreados. Lo más preocupante es el uso de métodos de pesca ilegales como los químicos, arvaletas, atarrayas, y otros tipos de redes que arrasan con todo lo habido y por haber. Esta sobrepesca aunada a los problemas que enfrentan los ecosistemas acuáticos, en particular la contaminación y la sedimentación, van a hacer de la Costa Rica de guapotes laguneros de 6 kilos con jibas fenomenales,la de de los bobos rechonchos o de los sábalos monstruosos, un tema de libros de historia. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__LpxsfT7OCFIIXU5rNQw9QK_LrbehT8xN3Fm4TOSOeX9BA-P-fllYoxSwtgAvTmirgf92uUqYLvrPAUBhZcuJ-y6dT_creBUcyyttUsx_gxeqKX4EDGwxWWd_Nw_Ho0GCCLg6UL_lFI/s1600/R.+nicaraguensis+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="197" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__LpxsfT7OCFIIXU5rNQw9QK_LrbehT8xN3Fm4TOSOeX9BA-P-fllYoxSwtgAvTmirgf92uUqYLvrPAUBhZcuJ-y6dT_creBUcyyttUsx_gxeqKX4EDGwxWWd_Nw_Ho0GCCLg6UL_lFI/s320/R.+nicaraguensis+7.jpg" /></a></div>Barbudo (<i>Rhamdia nicaraguensis</i>) en el Río Sucio, Sarapiquí.<br />
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La pesca puede ser una actividad económica importante, pero más que nada, una herramienta poderosa para la conservación de los recursos dulceacuícolas. <a href="http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/NationalSurvey/National_Survey.htm">Un documento oficial del gobierno de Estados Unidos del año 2006</a> reportó 25 millones de pescadores deportivos (de agua dulce) en el país, los cuales gastan $26 mil millones al año en viajes y en equipo de pesca. Estos gastos generan cientos de miles de empleos y miles de millones de dólares a partir de un impuesto federal aplicado sobre el consumo de los equipos de pesca, con el cual se recaudan fondos que financian importantes esfuerzos de investigación, restauración ecológica, manejo y conservación en todo el país. <br />
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Podemos copiar las cosas buenas de otros países que han sabido manejar mejor estos recursos, en lugar de copiar sus estupideces. No me refiero a copiar al pie de la letra los aspectos culturales de la pesca deportiva del norte, porque mal me caen los que se creen "<i>bass masters</i>" en Costa Rica. Tampoco se trata de convertir los pescadores de carrete de mano en fans de Rapala. Nada más propongo aprender de los buenos aspectos del manejo de las pesquerías de agua dulce que han sido exitosos por décadas en EEUU. <br />
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Cruzarse de manos y pretender que sólo por que se vive en la "Costa Rica verde" que protege el 26% de su territorio en áreas protegidas ya todos nuestros problemas ambientales están resueltos no es la respuesta. Ni mucho menos los discursos preservacionistas o los del tipo PETA, que espero nunca aparezcan en Costa Rica en contra de la pesca, que están desconectados de la realidad y no proponen alternativas viables a los problemas mencionados. <br />
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Hay que tener en cuenta que la pesca en Costa Rica tiene sus obvias diferencias con la pesca en EEUU en cuanto al hecho de que no solo hay pescadores deportivos convencionales sino también un sector importante de pescadores de subsistencia. Y para complicar aún más las cosas hay pescadores que no son ni deportivos, porque no utilizan los métodos de la pesca deportiva convencional, ni de subsistencia porque no necesariamente dependen del pescado que capturan como única fuente de proteína. Todos estos aspectos sociales y culturales se deben de tomar en cuenta a la hora de formular estrategias de manejo y conservación. Mientras escribo estas líneas, pescadores ilegales y pescadores irresponsables (términos no necesariamente intercambiables en Costa Rica) se encuentran saqueando los ríos, lagunas y quebradas. Al mismo tiempo hay una brillante ausencia de una autoridad gubernamental reguladora que sea competente (porque INCOPESCA no lo es) y de una estrategia sólida de manejo y conservación que proteja los peces dulceacuícolas y sus hábitats acuáticos.Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-51375368187544244822011-05-22T22:56:00.001-04:002011-05-24T18:22:37.262-04:00El aire urbano en Costa Rica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsTYIugEILALZiJLc1TAZCLl2VRuu00hCcwTbNWK1iqBU8p99_GlN4tZp24EqNCEnLY8gy-kO7KcT1A-72as1qNc0z1CJk-eCYE-Hz4SuiW9qGREWhNJ6GCvAACLrTicCqYzYKJegPxc/s1600/Heredia+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsTYIugEILALZiJLc1TAZCLl2VRuu00hCcwTbNWK1iqBU8p99_GlN4tZp24EqNCEnLY8gy-kO7KcT1A-72as1qNc0z1CJk-eCYE-Hz4SuiW9qGREWhNJ6GCvAACLrTicCqYzYKJegPxc/s320/Heredia+%25286%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Aunque el tema de la mala calidad del aire en la Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM) de Costa Rica no es ninguna novedad, pareciera que el problema no hace más que empeorar. Basta con salir a las calles y respirar para notar la deplorable condición del aire que se respira en San José o en Heredia, por ejemplo. Equiparando el aire que se respira en el área metropolitana de Washington con el que se respira en la GAM hasta pareciera que la metrópoli norteamericana -con una población de más de 5 millones de habitantes- goza de mejor calidad de aire. Esto sin querer sugerir que Washington tenga un aire limpio. <br />
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En Costa Rica la contaminación del aire es el resultado de las emisiones vehiculares en primer lugar y de las emisiones industriales en segundo lugar. El sistema centralizado del país ha hecho de la GAM la región con mayor concentración poblacional y el principal motor de la economía nacional. En la GAM habita el 60% de la población del país y el 70% de la flota vehicular. Agréguele a la cuestión un deficiente sistema de transporte público donde predominan los buses de diesel, una sobrepoblación de carros y una infraestructura vial con décadas de atraso. El resultado, es pues, un caos urbanístico con condiciones ambientales deplorables y perfectas para producir problemas multitudinarios de salud pública. En el Valle de México (México), por ejemplo, más de <a href="http://www.bionero.org/sociedad/miles-de-ninos-del-valle-de-mexico-enferman-por-aire-contaminado">132 mil niños son hospitalizados</a> cada año por padecimientos respiratorios vinculados a la mala calidad del aire. <br />
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En Costa Rica los camiones diesel son, efectivamente, los mayores contaminadores en lo que respecta a los óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx) y el material particulado. Los buses de Heredia a San José con sus copiosas columnas de humo negro producen desazón al hacernos imaginar las clases de gases y partículas que ingresan y deambulan en nuestros pulmones. El monóxido de carbono (CO) alcanza en San José concentraciones hasta tres veces por encima de los límites recomendados. <br />
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El informe del <a href="http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/index.php/biblioteca-virtual/costa-rica/estado-de-la-nacion/aspectos-ambientales/informe-xv">Estado de la Nación 2009</a> nos indica que el aire herediano tiene más microgramos por metro cúbico (μg/m3) de partículas contaminantes que las ciudades más contaminadas del planeta. De hecho se ha constatado un incremento en la contaminación atmosférica en los últimos años, e.g. en la cantidad de dióxido de nitrógeno y otros gases de combustión. <br />
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En Estados Unidos después de haberse firmado la Ley del Aire Limpio (Clean Air Act) en 1970 se ha visto un mejoramiento de la calidad del aire. <a href="http://www.mwcog.org/environment/air/">En el área metropolitana de Washington</a> esto ha sido evidente desde 1990. Empero, <a href="http://www.stateoftheair.org/2011/city-rankings/most-polluted-cities.html">los niveles de ozono y material particulado</a> todavía surcan los estándares nacionales estipulados por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental, el ente gestor de la calidad del aire en el marco de la ley mencionada. Estos niveles hacen que el aire que se respira en la zona sea todavía peligroso para la salud. La inversión en un sistema eficiente de transporte público, el ordenamiento territorial, el uso de bicicletas, entre otras medidas, han contribuido ha mejorar la situación.<br />
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De vuelta en tiquicia, con respecto a Riteve y la revisión técnica vehicular se puede decir que peor es nada. Si no fuera por Riteve, con todas sus deficiencias, la GAM sería una mini Ciudad de México donde la gente tiene que usar mascarillas para ir al trabajo en las mañanas. Tal vez las cosas cambien con la pendiente apertura del mercado y la llegada de nuevas empresas...<br />
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Se pueden hacer muchas cosas para revertir la patética situación ambiental que se vive en la GAM. De hecho ya se está trabajando en ese sentido, -¡aunque tal vez no con la celeridad que uno quisiera!- las cosas van cambiando poco a poco. La reapertura de la líneas férreas, <a href="http://www.prugam.go.cr/presentacion_director_ministro.htm">el proyecto PRUGAM</a>, los esfuerzos para limpiar el río Virilla, los avances de la Municipalidad de San José son solo algunos ejemplos. Hay que mejorar el transporte público mediante la expansión del sistema de tren urbano, hay que mejorar el sistema vial, revisar los estándares ambientales de la revisión técnica vehicular, utilizar biocombustibles, fomentar el uso de vehículos de baja y cero emisión, crear una red de ciclovías, mejorar la cobertura arbórea urbana, etc, etc... <br />
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La salud de más de un millón de personas (de al menos la GAM) y su calidad de vida está en grave riesgo. Solo caminando hacia adelante con una mente progresista, con un ambientalismo más pragmático por parte de la sociedad costarricense, con normas ambientales y de ordenamiento territorial más decentes, con responsabilidad, sin chorizos, sin valeverguismos y sin politiquerías aldeanas. Sólo así se podrá tener un aire urbano más decente en Costa Rica.Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-8181312095570673772011-03-16T16:57:00.003-04:002011-03-16T17:30:07.867-04:00A Giant in the Highlands of Costa Rica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVbbEAPYCF0nyFsLsF87gELwSHfqNZQsiZQienr8m5LxoVEMRepvLCVL0SWsnz9cN9gz8Tg2fXhkIcmSuRRp6xanwMCwllUKKFWfyNJQKN0q8QIFeo5jB9a-XKcVIPAWvAG7bULJzhrQ/s1600/p+Crater+55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVbbEAPYCF0nyFsLsF87gELwSHfqNZQsiZQienr8m5LxoVEMRepvLCVL0SWsnz9cN9gz8Tg2fXhkIcmSuRRp6xanwMCwllUKKFWfyNJQKN0q8QIFeo5jB9a-XKcVIPAWvAG7bULJzhrQ/s320/p+Crater+55.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Contrary to what some people think it is not a geyser, the wrong name was the result of a misidentification by the old time European explorers. Nevertheless, the Poás volcano in Costa Rica is surely one of the most fascinating volcanoes in the world. The turquoise lagoon-like crater measuring more than 1,400 yards in diameter that unfolds before you at the park’s lookout site is part of a rather unusual stratovolcano. <br />
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Stratovolcanoes, as known by vulcanologists, are a type of volcanoes made up of layers of different materials (lava, volcanic ash, and so forth). The unusual peak comprises a series of active and inactive craters and other geologic structures, all surrounded by lush montane forests teeming with birds and other wildlife. The volcano has three main structures, the main crater (which draws hordes of tourists ), and two inactive craters, the beautiful Botos lake (Laguna Botos) and the Von Frantzius cone, named after a 19th century German naturalist. Even though one of the most touristic places in Costa Rica, the highland national park offers some of the most breathtaking volcanic vistas in Central America, and of course an amazing botany. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMNA5YFVlNJAd2LbmsFHE83cgWFICDgHETLj3IsFcG6JvwOCGZFxuVG0c539u2ScLCwjjdAslcjSYISG14Tl3eQ1Rx6jg8iODoYRIjkDZvk2SKlbv6wUUyPKJtEimmLRskfJXlfaUMds/s1600/Monochaetum+vulcanicum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMNA5YFVlNJAd2LbmsFHE83cgWFICDgHETLj3IsFcG6JvwOCGZFxuVG0c539u2ScLCwjjdAslcjSYISG14Tl3eQ1Rx6jg8iODoYRIjkDZvk2SKlbv6wUUyPKJtEimmLRskfJXlfaUMds/s320/Monochaetum+vulcanicum.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The paradisiacal crater and the neighboring Laguna Botos stand up at an altitude of 8,884 feet overlooking the Caribbean lowlands to the north. The seemingly calm and dormant crater is a rather busy nostril of the earth. It is constantly emanating gases and steam and every now and then it spews out columns of water and mud more than 200 yards into the sky. The highly manicured touristic infrastructure –thankfully only a small area of the park-- contrasts with the tremendous beauty of the crater and the 16,000 acres of highland forests surrounding it. The cloud forests of the park have witnessed mayhem in the last thousands of years. There are definite records of volcanic activity at least in the last two hundred years. In the early 1900’s the Poás volcano was particularly busy when it catapulted 2-mile high columns of mud, sulphur, rocks and ashes right from the innards of the earth. According to the vulcanologists the different manifestations of volcanic activity of the colossus are quite atypical and even some of the eruptions resemble those of submarine volcanoes. This is not the typical volcano you have seen on TV spewing red blazing lava… <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKnBc4NYNWwg3pWiy4euonyVvMqwTzo8m3QwnDQLc9TwhWIJ5CCLqPuiWmXiIxlpLr85XBRDqA5iCCb9gK_HzWiGWqAZXK-lLeTIx1OWdrp7lGYGl21foNdR3xL9tJbHp9q_Ou3Gi9jI/s1600/Bomarea+costaricensis+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKnBc4NYNWwg3pWiy4euonyVvMqwTzo8m3QwnDQLc9TwhWIJ5CCLqPuiWmXiIxlpLr85XBRDqA5iCCb9gK_HzWiGWqAZXK-lLeTIx1OWdrp7lGYGl21foNdR3xL9tJbHp9q_Ou3Gi9jI/s320/Bomarea+costaricensis+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The Poás volcano is part of a series of volcanic craters that are lined up around the Central Valley of Costa Rica, the main metropolitan area of the country. The majority of the peaks are inside protected areas that preserve a rich and unique biodiversity. The National Park was created by law in 1971 and enlarged in 1994 to include an adjacent inactive volcano called Cerro Congo (Howler Monkey hill). The volcanoes make up the Cordillera Volcánica Central (central volcanic mountain range) a very rainy area with bright green, lush, and soggy forests. The Park is about a 1 ½-hour drive from San José on winding roads snaking through coffee plantations, dairy farms, and cloud forests. However it is important to advise that driving in Costa Rica can be challenging, to say the least… I wouldn’t recommend it for non-adventurous drivers. Although the situation is changing with a new road safety legislation passed and stricter law enforcement. Anyhow, there are plenty of public and private transportation options that can take you to the park safely.<br />
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Since the volcano is the center of attention, many laypeople miss the botanic jewels and the wildlife that inhabit the park. However, some squirrels and yellow-thighed Finches are often more docile to humans than you’d want them to be! <br />
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Costa Rica is an outstanding biodiversity hotspot, which throughout time, has served as a land bridge between North and South America. As a result, the flora is a fantastic hodgepodge of plant communities with floristic affinities from the Amazon, the Andes and even North America. The highlands of the country are home to plant species that have evolved locally --with an astounding number of endemic species all originating in either North America, such as oaks (<i>Quercu</i>s), alder trees (<i>Alnus</i>) and magnolias, or in South America such as dwarf bamboos (<i>Chusquea</i>).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXefz9A0inLV-rSqqvrv3Yr0aw1fVTRaf2hbqWzeO0uCzv4oNEJBS8N7gY24Hpxd7uoG2aNT4E6K74sbGP0-XNMAyt6WZ6N2ukcfmAwd6hm9y0EQXc1LG0YX3yOAxH5eNF7pGi-JnPW8/s1600/Chusquea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXefz9A0inLV-rSqqvrv3Yr0aw1fVTRaf2hbqWzeO0uCzv4oNEJBS8N7gY24Hpxd7uoG2aNT4E6K74sbGP0-XNMAyt6WZ6N2ukcfmAwd6hm9y0EQXc1LG0YX3yOAxH5eNF7pGi-JnPW8/s320/Chusquea.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The variety and uniqueness of the flora in the national park is worth a visit by both plant amateurs and specialists. However, the volcano itself is really a must see, especially if you have never seen a volcano in your life. Take a walk through the moist and eerie forests, almost permanently covered by a veil of fog; there, you can admire an amazing assortment of colorful wildflowers that pop out from apparent green sameness. Especially common and eye-catching are the blooms of the native wild blueberries locally known as arrayanes (<i>Vaccinium</i>) or the so-called “rose of the volcanoes” (<i>Monochaetum vulcanicum</i>) which belong to the melastome family. The papa de venado or “deer potato” (<i>Bomarea costaricensis</i>) is a vine with showy red tubular flowers pollinated by the abundant hummingbirds of the park.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3Cz4QyjnFsf4gVm3eCs35Zgh3hBv58x0oaJmyB7ija1hauHlS2SIS2qicwAemEl5g88SOYDchMmOIkqV9Or3VbQWgtHSZbFGXP5k5j7dwOK8dTxyBMycSMb7jvBWQMnwmh7b0bg9ymQ/s1600/Hypericum+strictum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3Cz4QyjnFsf4gVm3eCs35Zgh3hBv58x0oaJmyB7ija1hauHlS2SIS2qicwAemEl5g88SOYDchMmOIkqV9Or3VbQWgtHSZbFGXP5k5j7dwOK8dTxyBMycSMb7jvBWQMnwmh7b0bg9ymQ/s320/Hypericum+strictum.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The elfin forests get a primeval jurassic-esque character with its many tree ferns and Poor Man’s Umbrellas (<i>Gunnera insignis</i>). Heads up! You might have the opportunity to see a Resplendent Quetzal one of the most beautiful birds you could ever see in your life. The astounding Poor Man’s Umbrellas don’t escape the eye of even the slackest non-plant person; with leaves bigger than 6 feet in diameter is one of the most remarkable and common plants in the park. Poor man’s umbrellas have a unique symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) which live in the plant’s stem. The gigantic leaves of the unusual herb make excellent goofy Facebook photos for the many tourists that walk the paved trail to the crater. The primeval plants along with sudden bursts of sulfuric smells drifting on the wind from the volcano remind you who really rules the land here. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFHgm63YODHdLRhKvxrCyaKHeqSWwy2AcQZlUrAk_ubrv1NqtILGPjadAvmckyP4rZ-P4qjMPMRA0uZ2R698eTdv2Ssk-eupPVHFzHPO77dHXf6EUDyNYvtz4FxWWr6cTTcy8X03JmlY/s1600/Vaccinium+poasanum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFHgm63YODHdLRhKvxrCyaKHeqSWwy2AcQZlUrAk_ubrv1NqtILGPjadAvmckyP4rZ-P4qjMPMRA0uZ2R698eTdv2Ssk-eupPVHFzHPO77dHXf6EUDyNYvtz4FxWWr6cTTcy8X03JmlY/s320/Vaccinium+poasanum.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The dwarf bamboos found in the park are the only bamboo species native to Costa Rica. The big bamboos you see in the lower elevations of the country have been introduced from Asia and South America. Dwarf bamboos are typically found in the country’s highlands, in open areas and the forest understory. Stands of these short bamboos occur in the other major mountain range of Costa Rica, the Talamanca Mountain Range. There, dwarf bamboos make up most of the vegetation in the majestic páramos a unique moor-like highland ecosystem also found in the Andes of South America. The open areas of the park have showy stands of cipresillo (little cypress) (<i>Hypericum strictum</i>) a low bush related to St John's Wort that has bright yellow flowers and erect stems. The north American plant lovers would be amazed to find greenbrier in Costa Rica (see photo) there are a dozen native species of <i>Smilax</i> throughout Costa Rica, some lowlands species are thought to be the ultimate panaceas and are popular in folk medicine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QcjJmiQXGdmJMjgKTyU7zNleKDW0acHob_Q2kW-OsSc51B3dkOu9I3RH2mEQrOJTTmq2Y3ftkSVYak-wFOQOy8LrmLg40fA10Ra4KgqN6j8lzgnrjFrt4Ljk7y3ZfYb_-EgU6obqLz4/s1600/smilax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QcjJmiQXGdmJMjgKTyU7zNleKDW0acHob_Q2kW-OsSc51B3dkOu9I3RH2mEQrOJTTmq2Y3ftkSVYak-wFOQOy8LrmLg40fA10Ra4KgqN6j8lzgnrjFrt4Ljk7y3ZfYb_-EgU6obqLz4/s320/smilax.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When traveling to the Poás volcano in Costa Rica make sure to swerve from the tourist-crammed crater lookout and explore the amazing flora. Stroll the park’s trails and enjoy the botanic jewels it has to offer. The highland forests of the cordillera will take your breath away as will the mighty Poás volcano which refuses to sleep…Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-18562908332781302082011-03-12T20:07:00.001-05:002011-03-12T20:13:09.069-05:00Oceanic SustainabilityThe idea of a sustainable management of marine resources may sound far fetched nowadays, however, there are a few examples of sound management that give some hope. I'll mention a couple. Now more than ever, the stewardship of our oceans (and our lands) should be taken seriously. The combination of climate change and a surfeit of man-made threats are ravaging the world's ocean biodiversity and have reached an alarming point. Perhaps a point of no return in some cases. <br />
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<a href="http://www.wri.org/publication/reefs-at-risk-revisited">Sixty percent of the world's coral reefs</a> are being imperiled by overexploitation, pollution, and unplanned coastal development. Large predatorial fish e.g. shark, cod and tuna have been largely overfished in the last half century, if the status quo persists, they could be gone by 2050 according to scientists.<br />
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When it comes to unsustainable fisheries, almost all the countries with coastline, developed or developing, share some blame. From the wasteful shrimp trawl industry of the Gulf of Mexico in the U.S., to the detrimental aquarium fish and live reef food fish trade in the Philippines and Indonesia. <br />
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We are taking so much fish that not enough remain to replenish the populations, that is the definition of overfishing. Most of the world's fisheries are over exploited, depleted or recovering from depletion according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A remarkable example is the tuna fisheries --fueled by the world's <a href="http://www.sushi-tuna.com/index_en.html">sushi craze</a>!-- where the highly efficient fishing fleets are plundering populations from the ocean. Regarding the whales, it is no secret that the Japanese and Norwegian fleets are wreaking havoc under the guise of "scientific research". And... the same story goes for many shellfish species.<br />
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But there is some hope. In the Caribbean coast of Central America a first time <a href="http://www.sica.int/busqueda/Noticias.aspx?IDItem=57326&IDCat=2&IdEnt=47">annual four-month ban on the fishing of the Caribbean spiny lobster (<i>Panulirus argus</i>)</a> went into effect in 2010. The time frame, from March to June, corresponds to the breeding season of the lobsters. Although the enforcement of the ban might not be as good as the one in southern Florida, it is a good step ahead towards sustainability. <br />
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In Costa Rica another plausible initiative to <a href="http://www.seafdec.or.th/wsfc2010/CZAP-WSFC%20Conference%20Proceedings/Concurrent%20session%201-2/Andy%20Bystrom%20CZAP-WSFC%202010.pdf">sustainably exploit Spotted rose snapper (<i>Lutjanus guttatus</i>)</a> is taking place in the NW Pacific coast of the country. It will benefit small artisan fishermen that use bottom longlines to fish the snappers. The effort also seeks to develop their marketing capabilities to boost their revenue. <br />
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In northeastern U.S. the <a href="http://namanet.org/">Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA)</a> is promoting a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) in an effort to promote local, sustainably managed, wild-caught seafood in the same fashion of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs which are popular in many parts of the country. <br />
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There is an outstanding website that can help you make good purchasing decisions wherever you buy your seafood. It is the Monterey Bay Aquarium's <a href="http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx">Seafood Watch Pocket Guide</a>. This is not only extremely helpful for people living in the U.S., but folks outside North America will also find useful information on species that are harvested throughout the world.Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-34185524651829050442010-11-01T21:02:00.007-04:002010-11-01T21:40:46.529-04:00Amphibian declines, a clear sign of an imperiled planet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaKon9yJV8zfypcAmQlfTPCdSFU2-Tm1YKcr0NNeOQE6LTygYzTZRHGya1STuab-GhUQV-lT0p15hMJEc_x63P6LRiirtExXyhkgupGbAQgkgXvRMyxt6ovKRs90XXK5D38ZOJFl84Q8/s1600/Gymnopis+multiplicata.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r2SaIu43sOBvOssE5ukKS606ms5jk6Fco7HDUeItQavfBYucmRo7t-YV0E1aTQGWFJHMHxr-damXdoSJ4LcdNScY3QS27Ii3fzETnyd9SoKIrCBMVMklPeU808y7Rx73TLSU4EHcnXw/s1600/129_2998.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r2SaIu43sOBvOssE5ukKS606ms5jk6Fco7HDUeItQavfBYucmRo7t-YV0E1aTQGWFJHMHxr-damXdoSJ4LcdNScY3QS27Ii3fzETnyd9SoKIrCBMVMklPeU808y7Rx73TLSU4EHcnXw/s320/129_2998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757736127828690" border="0" /></a>I’m not trying to be doomy and gloomy, even though the current juncture is intrinsically so. I just would like to point out a worldwide environmental problem that clearly illustrates how beaten the planet we live in is. Forty-one percent of amphibian species are currently threatened by our own species. Mass extinctions like the ones we are causing only happened millions of years ago as a result of cataclysmic natural phenomena like meteorite crashes and things of such caliber! Not only that, other facts prove that I’m not just being histrionic: glaciers melting, the current drought in the Amazon rainforest, crazy weather patterns around the globe that are threatening our own species, one fifth of the world’s animal and plant species are threatened, half of the world’s major rivers are being seriously depleted and polluted, this is just out of control!<br /><br />But, let’s go back to the amphibians. There are more than 6,300 amphibian species on earth that rely mostly on their highly vascularized skin to breath, and, to a lesser degree in their rather undeveloped lungs. A group of salamanders even lack lungs (<a href="http://amphibiaweb.org/lists/Plethodontidae.shtml">http://amphibiaweb.org/lists/Plethodontidae.shtml</a>) and conduct respiration solely through their skin! Amphibians need to be moist in order to carry out proper gas exchange. This means that they depend on that vital element we call water and a clean and healthy environment in order to survive. As a matter of fact, they have been long considered bioindicators because of these traits.<br /><br />The way we have been managing our lands and waters has proven to be extremely pernicious to the biosphere, and now even to our own species, indeed. All those amazing slimy and primeval creatures we call amphibians are paying the price of our feeble environmental stewardship and our neglect. With 41% of the species in jeopardy, amphibians are considered the most endangered group of animals in the world. That’s something that should worry everybody!<br /><br />The economic system we use to run our planet is just a careless one! The laissez-faire fashion particularly, has proven to be dreadful for people, decency and our planet. Its premise of making a profit out of everything, doing whatever it takes to make it happen, to satisfy the demands –many of them frivolous and unnecessary demands-- of an ever growing (over) population. With our illusion-driven mind set of an inexhaustible planet we have been over using and abusing our natural resources without any consideration of the environmental, cultural and social consequences.<br /><br />Most of the major civilizations in human history, remarkably the one we live in, have used natural resources as if they were infinite, in doing so they have collapsed as a result. We have been cutting down forests, overexploiting ocean fisheries, draining and wiping out entire wetlands, paving the land and making it impervious, and so on. The outcome: thousands of species affected to the point that they have gone extinct and/or are threatened or rare. Again, amphibians are a good example of the effects of this conservation catastrophe. Nearly 32% (1,856 species) of the world’s amphibian species are threatened, 168 species have virtually gone extinct. Habitat destruction, invasive species, overexploitation, climate change, UV-B radiation (which directly kills them), pollutants, chytridiomycosis (aninfectious fungal disease that affects their skin), and rather a synergy of all these factors is wreaking havoc on these animals around the globe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_9G66mdkvBBjYXpLUo5UMZGVxNIV2G4LusNeuqBbbQr8oF6OXkQhvumkWPGpdLLTUvbqGpj0ozaeqrldnRfVtt9E2xUYMcwK4vPQRxJk9UJd9mT9W4WztOkm-ajUghoVmBTjqBqQazY/s1600/113_1358.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_9G66mdkvBBjYXpLUo5UMZGVxNIV2G4LusNeuqBbbQr8oF6OXkQhvumkWPGpdLLTUvbqGpj0ozaeqrldnRfVtt9E2xUYMcwK4vPQRxJk9UJd9mT9W4WztOkm-ajUghoVmBTjqBqQazY/s320/113_1358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757742949543234" border="0" /></a><br />As I write these words, the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), is taking place in Nagoya, Japan (<a href="http://www.cbd.int/cop10/?section=welcome">http://www.cbd.int/cop10/?section=welcome</a>). Some of the accurate words of Mr. Ryu Matsumoto , Japan’s Minister of the Environment, caught my attention: <span style="font-style: italic;">"We are now close to a 'tipping point' - that is, we are about to reach a threshold beyond which biodiversity loss will become irreversible, and may cross that threshold in the next 10 years if we do not make proactive efforts for conserving biodiversity." </span> We are certainly undergoing a serious environmental crisis that is having dreadful consequences on our precious biodiversity, and actually our very existence and survival in this planet.<br /><br />The purpose of the international meeting of the CBD was to tackle the root causes of biodiversity loss and set new goals for conservation. Although a good international platform for biodiversity conservation, it has failed to meet its goals. In 2002 the parties set a goal of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Guess what? The real outcome is that the problem has gotten even worse. Governments have simply failed to take action, mostly because of the immense lack of political will and/or resources. Among some of the main limitations of the Convention is that it lacks a dispute resolution process. Moreover, it lacks enforcement mechanisms and only provides a framework of goals and policies rather than real regulations. Most of the countries that have signed and ratified the convention have put off the issue, especially the developing countries which have “bigger fish to fry”, or, other urgent social, political and economic matters to deal with. George H. W. Bush’s administration refused to ratify the convention because of its concerns of possible restrictions on the biotechnology industry, intellectual property rights and other concerns congruent with the slipshod capitalism its administration praised for. Anyway, the Nagoya convention ended with a general dissatisfaction by the conservation community as a result of the slack targets set forth by it.<br /><br />Even though scientists have rediscovered some of the amphibian species thought to be extinct (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11385774">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11385774</a>), the group is evidently imperiled worldwide. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (<a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/about/summary-statistics">http://www.iucnredlist.org/about/summary-statistics</a>), there are 56 threatened species of amphibians in the United States and 60 in Costa Rica. At least three species of amphibians have gone extinct in Costa Rica (<a href="http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?query_src=aw_maps_geo-ceam&rel-isocc=like&orderbyaw=Order&where-isocc=Costa+Rica">http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?query_src=aw_maps_geo-ceam&rel-isocc=like&orderbyaw=Order&where-isocc=Costa+Rica</a>). The complex factors and stressors impacting amphibians have consequences on not just one species but entire assemblages of species. Species have been affected regardless if they live in protected areas or not.<br /><br />Use material goods made with renewable resources, plant a native plant garden, at least drive a more fuel efficient car! save energy, reuse, recycle… A healthy environment means clean waters, clean air to breath every day, good quality soils to produce our foods, pollinated crops to feed our species, life-saving pharmaceuticals, flood protection, beautiful natural scenery that soothes and helps our minds and psyches, carbon sequestration, and on and on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaKon9yJV8zfypcAmQlfTPCdSFU2-Tm1YKcr0NNeOQE6LTygYzTZRHGya1STuab-GhUQV-lT0p15hMJEc_x63P6LRiirtExXyhkgupGbAQgkgXvRMyxt6ovKRs90XXK5D38ZOJFl84Q8/s1600/Gymnopis+multiplicata.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaKon9yJV8zfypcAmQlfTPCdSFU2-Tm1YKcr0NNeOQE6LTygYzTZRHGya1STuab-GhUQV-lT0p15hMJEc_x63P6LRiirtExXyhkgupGbAQgkgXvRMyxt6ovKRs90XXK5D38ZOJFl84Q8/s320/Gymnopis+multiplicata.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757747371404562" border="0" /></a><br />A sound environmental stewardship of our planet should be our first priority, and now! A sustainable economy that uses renewable energy, good environmental legislation that is actually enforced, a sound management of natural resources (always with the future generations in mind), stormwater management systems everywhere, a fair and just global economy, a system that cares about the importance of water quality and the availability of water for all. A society with this and all those environmental technologies and systems out there is the global society we need now if we want to avoid a near future of doom and gloom. For survival and ethical reasons this obliteration needs to stop now. To start a change we need both top-down and bottom-up solutions. We really need to do whatever we can, little by little; even in our essentially unsustainable modern lifestyle we should really start changing things in our lifestyles before this global change endangers us!!<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-33930655037092304252010-05-02T19:55:00.000-04:002010-05-03T09:14:12.908-04:00Áreas protegidas, bosques, forestería y conservación en Costa Rica<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6Dab8nm_umZbvJ9qpndBdUajC8cdo8qv1j-WFiVov582NSa4P8B01yzIQa60DiGSD8P6dI4EJ1MbCuRMjJ05nzcielxRNqlse6yZAfJHvxB0NBPEAXYrgAbzGgiyej1d2XUCnJCA59o/s1600/Cr%C3%A1ter+7.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6Dab8nm_umZbvJ9qpndBdUajC8cdo8qv1j-WFiVov582NSa4P8B01yzIQa60DiGSD8P6dI4EJ1MbCuRMjJ05nzcielxRNqlse6yZAfJHvxB0NBPEAXYrgAbzGgiyej1d2XUCnJCA59o/s320/Cr%C3%A1ter+7.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466827029622594578" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Muchos costarricenses alardeamos con el dato de que un 26% de nuestro territorio está dedicado a la conservación por medio de áreas silvestres protegidas (ASP). Especialmente cuando nos encontramos en el extranjero donde muchos alaban los históricos logros del país en materia de conservación de la biodiversidad y en desarrollo humano. No en vano, la verdad es que efectivamente hemos alcanzado importantes logros ambientales que otros países apenas están empezando a tantear. Algunos, incluso, están bastante atrasados en el tema. Empero, no es lo mismo haberse enterado de estos importantes logros de conservación por medio de los discursos políticos de Oscar Arias o en calidad de turista en el país. He estado involucrado en asuntos de conservación en Costa Rica y puedo decir que tengo una buena noción de las dos caras de la tortilla. El hecho de haber declarado 160 áreas protegidas por medio de decretos ejecutivos no significa el fin del cuento. ¡Gestionar y conservar los valiosos recursos naturales de un país tropical en desarrollo, en la era de la globalización, son otros cien pesos! <br /> <br />El Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SINAC), que es una dependencia del Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones (MINAET), tiene serias limitaciones en la administración efectiva de las ASP del país. Son muy pocos los ejemplos de ASP administradas eficientemente, es decir, las que satisfacen estándares mínimos que impliquen una protección satisfactoria de los recursos naturales; éstos casos son excepciones y no la regla. La falta de recursos financieros, personal de campo, personal capacitado, falta de coordinación interinstitucional, el exiguo cumplimiento de las leyes, deterioro de la infraestructura, invasiones de tierras, cacería furtiva, tala ilegal, sobrepesca, pesca ilegal, desarrollo inmobiliario sin control (¡no sólo afuera del perímetro de las ASP!), incendios forestales, falta de planificación territorial en las zonas de amortiguamiento son solo algunos de los principales problemas que aquejan a nuestras al SINAC y a nuestras ASP. Es decir, a pesar de toda nuestra pompa, hay todavía bastante camino por recorrer. Con respecto al tema de la producción forestal y otros temas del manejo de los recursos naturales interrelacionados con las ASP y los bosques, ni se diga…<br /><br />Los que hemos voluntariado alguna vez en las ASP de Costa Rica hemos podido ver algunos de los problemas de las ASP directamente. La falta de personal capacitado, la falta de presupuesto para comprar materiales, equipo y otros suministros básicos, ¡algunos tan básicos como el papel higiénico! son limitantes serios que afectan el desempeño en la protección de la biodiversidad y el servicio a los visitantes. La falta de personal, particularmente de personal capacitado y comprometido con la misión de la institución son unas de las mayores deficiencias. No son raros los casos de guardaparques y otros funcionarios dormidos en su oficina en horas de trabajo, emborrachándose con guaro de contrabando en las instalaciones del gobierno mientras podrían estar buscando cazadores ilegales. ¡De hecho, fue en un parque nacional en donde probé por primera vez el guaro de contrabando, infamemente conocido como “pedo de chancho”!!! Todos estos problemas simplemente dificultan e impiden la gestión eficiente de la rica biodiversidad del país en estas áreas. Esto es lamentable si consideramos que en el país existen varios centros de educación parauniversitaria y de educación superior formando profesionales en temas ambientales y de administración del turismo, tal vez no los mejores (en algunos casos) pero definitivamente sería mejor emplear en el SINAC a personas con formación e interés y no a un montón de vagos viviendo de la vena del gobierno. <br /><br />Afortunadamente, esta situación ha ido cambiando poco a poco en algunas ASP del país no sin antes haber sido producto de generosas infusiones de fondos de organizaciones privadas e internacionales y no de los ingresos de la institución, que es otra de las grandes deficiencias del SINAC. No es un secreto que la gran tajada de los ingresos que perciben las ASP por medio de la visitación turística va a parar a la caja única del Estado mientras las áreas silvestres enfrentan graves problemas y desafíos.<br /><br />El porcentaje de cobertura forestal del país, más o menos 45% del territorio (de acuerdo con el INBIO), es una excelente noticia ya que Costa Rica es uno de los pocos países que ha aumentado su cobertura forestal en lugar de disminuirla. Hay que tener claro que cobertura forestal no se refiere solo a prístinos bosques “primarios” (término ya de por sí refutable), el concepto incluye también a las plantaciones forestales además de otros ecosistemas naturales no forestales como los páramos de la Cordillera de Talamanca. Efectivamente, el 70% de Costa Rica son tierras de aptitud forestal (para preservación y producción). <br /><br />Con respecto a las plantaciones forestales y la forestería el panorama es mucho peor aún. El país ha venido hundiéndose en una verdadera crisis forestal desde los años ochentas debido a la explotación forestal insostenible, la expansión agrícola, la corrupción, la incapacidad institucional, además de la irresponsabilidad de muchos empresarios que no han tenido ni un ápice de visión a largo plazo. Es triste ver como se degradan los suelos y las cuencas del país debido a usos de suelo absolutamente inadecuados. Muchos de los suelos de aptitud forestal del país son potreros, plantaciones agrícolas, y otros usos inadecuados, lo cual implica problemas de erosión que afectan seriamente las cuencas hidrográficas y los ecosistemas costeros. <br /><br />Costa Rica importa más madera de Chile, Nicaragua y otros países, de la que produce mientras que la demanda de madera en el país no hace más que crecer exponencialmente conforme crece la población. No sólo la población crece, el área de plantaciones frutícolas que requieren de tarimas de madera para exportar sus productos también está en incremento. En Costa Rica y en el resto de Centroamérica, ha prevalecido una cultura agropecuaria, eficazmente inculcada en los tiempos coloniales, que ha impedido el establecimiento de una cultura forestal congruente con el manejo racional de los recursos naturales. El discurso y la práctica de esa cultura agropecuaria ha sido el mismo desde siempre, el bosque no es más que un estorbo. El área reforestada (con plantaciones forestales) ha ido disminuyendo drásticamente en los últimos años así como el aporte del sector forestal a la economía nacional mientras las plantaciones de piña se expanden deforestando bosques secundarios, contaminando cuerpos de agua con agua de lluvia cargada de sedimentos y pesticidas, y hasta borrando del mapa riachuelos y quebradas a su paso.<br /><br />Basta con ir a la zona de Puriscal para ver la debacle que ha causado la expansión agrícola sin ningún control en el pasado. Por dicha, este patrón va cambiando en algunas localidades debido a la intensificación del uso del suelo, a la introducción de nuevas prácticas de conservación de suelos en la fincas, en fin, al uso de prácticas de uso de suelo más eficientes y congruentes con las leyes de la natura. Por supuesto todos estos embates a los recursos naturales responden a la batuta de una economía globalizada, en el marco del libre comercio y no necesariamente interesada en la sustentabilidad. El tema de la producción energética utilizando biomasa, que está poniéndose muy de moda en el mundo, es una de las peores amenazas que se vislumbran. <br /><br />En mi opinión, prefiero ver plantaciones forestales, aunque sea de especies exóticas (no invasoras, por supuesto) en lugar de piñales, cañaverales, bananales y plantaciones de helechos ornamentales cubiertos con un sarán negro que se ve a kilómetros de distancia. Las plantaciones forestales proveen ciertos servicios ambientales que muchos de los monocultivos agrícolas simplemente no proveen. La restauración forestal del paisaje (http://www.ideastransformlandscapes.org/) un enfoque de manejo de recursos naturales a escala del paisaje provee muchas oportunidades en este sentido. Con mejoras en la institucionalidad, el cumplimiento de las leyes, y más que todo con responsabilidad, sí sería posible tener un sector forestal sostenible aportando mucho más servicios ambientales que el sector agropecuario convencional.<br /><br />La agroforestería se ha beneficiado con la demanda internacional de productos como el café y el cacao. También debido al surgimiento de un importante sector de consumidores más verdes y responsables en países industrializados. Basta con ir a tomarse un café a Starbucks o Caribou Coffee aquí en los EEUU para ver ese patrón. Esas compañías promueven café producido en plantaciones agroforestales, fincas de producción orgánica y con uso de otras prácticas más sostenibles. ¡Eso ya es un buen cambio! Las plantaciones agroforestales y los sistemas silvopastoriles son en mi opinión la mejor opción que tiene el sector agropecuario en los trópicos, aunque la economía globalizada y masificada dicta otras cosas desgraciadamente. No estoy hablando de un cambio total e “idealista” a los cultivos orgánicos, sino de la introducción del componente forestal en los cultivos agrícolas para mejorar el manejo de los suelos y las cuencas hidrográficas.<br /><br />El país tiene muchas oportunidades de incrementar el uso de los recursos forestales para incrementar la conservación de la biodiversidad a escala del paisaje, fijar más carbono, proteger y conservar los suelos y el agua; a la vez satisfaciendo necesidades económicas y sociales. Esto es posible sin tener que optar por cambiar las categorías de manejo de las áreas protegidas para beneficiar desarrollo inmobiliario, expandir las piñeras u otros crímenes ambientales como los que ocurren actualmente con el gobierno de Oscar Arias. Esto no sería nada nuevo, hay que ver el ejemplo de algunos países desarrollados con cultura forestal (i.e. Finlandia) que han sabido manejar sus recursos naturales inteligentemente. <br /><br />Costa Rica era aproximadamente 99% bosques cuando los españoles llegaron al país; el país es y será siempre de aptitud mayoritariamente forestal en cuanto al uso de la tierra se refiere, por lo tanto todo aquel uso de suelo que incorpore el componente forestal será más beneficioso. En otras palabras ¡copiemos a la naturaleza! De hecho eso es lo que buscan muchas de las tecnologías modernas ecoamigables que felizmente se empiezan a poner de moda en el mundo en respuesta a la crisis ambiental en la que nos encontramos. <br /><br />Lo que se necesita es fortalecer las instituciones gubernamentales que velan por el bienestar del ambiente, administrar mejor las finanzas del SINAC, mejorar la efectividad de manejo de las ASP, promover una cultura forestal, también la arboricultura urbana y los bosques urbanos; la forestería sostenible en donde se manejen racionalmente los bosques secundarios, las plantaciones forestales (deseablemente con especies nativas); hay que promover e incrementar la cobertura, calidad y productividad de los sistemas agrosilvopastoriles, hay que promover el uso de los productos forestales no maderables, introducir más y mejores políticas para proteger los bosques, y asegurarse de que haya recursos para hacer cumplir esas leyes. Suena fácil, pero, en el mar de la corrupción, burocracia e ineficiencia, el sentido común y la sensatez se pierden.<br /><br />El desarrollo económico y la conservación de la naturaleza si pueden ser compatibles si hay un verdadero cambio de paradigma en nuestra sociedad y en la forma en que producimos todas nuestras “commodities”. Para eso necesitamos un proyecto de país basado en los principios del desarrollo sostenible, bienestar social, protección y manejo racional del medio ambiente, y un liderazgo político con un enfoque ambiental serio; y por supuesto, necesitamos un cambio en la sociedad porque los ticos están lejos de ser la “sociedad ambientalista ideal” que algunos extranjeros creen. No dejemos que los errores del pasado persistan o vuelvan, no dejemos que un modelo de desarrollo insostenible destruya nuestros recursos naturales o más cabalmente el planeta en el que vivirán nuestros hijos.Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-53258677508657810572010-02-28T17:58:00.000-05:002010-02-28T18:12:44.945-05:00Especies invasoras: un reto para la conservación de la biodiversidad en Costa Rica<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdJmCLDmAutyEufp62UHpuxdRNsavlPEJi3_k6FBXHNog0Uq3941oH9zm_2o5ploFZcmC4ka50wqvnJQr1j_gNus1qFBw2fBTSe3Sy-gXY5YYXSas1Zjair6rxKDX4dHR05fo2DZsCQk/s1600-h/123_2398.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdJmCLDmAutyEufp62UHpuxdRNsavlPEJi3_k6FBXHNog0Uq3941oH9zm_2o5ploFZcmC4ka50wqvnJQr1j_gNus1qFBw2fBTSe3Sy-gXY5YYXSas1Zjair6rxKDX4dHR05fo2DZsCQk/s320/123_2398.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443434381134366802" /></a><br /><br /><br />La amenaza de las especies invasoras en Costa Rica, y en el mundo, no se puede pasar por alto. Con mucho más razón ahora que nos encontramos inmersos en la era de la globalización económica y el libre comercio. La Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN) ha identificado el problema como “<span style="font-style:italic;">la segunda causa de amenaza y extinción de especies, precedida tan sólo por la pérdida de hábitat</span>”. El comercio internacional es sin lugar a dudas una de las principales causas de este problema. Algunas de las peores introducciones de especies invasoras en el mundo han sido producto de las actividades comerciales internaciones e.g. descarga de aguas de lastre, importación de productos agrícolas, madera, plantas ornamentales, animales ornamentales, etc. De hecho, existe clara evidencia de que el problema de las especies invasoras esta incrementándose debido a los patrones del comercio global. Algo alarmante es que no existen listados precisos de las especies invasoras presentes en los países en vías de desarrollo, Costa Rica no es la excepción. Países en vías de desarrollo como Costa Rica deberían empezar a tomar medidas preventivas ¡inmediatamente! Los costos de control y erradicación de estas invasiones biológicas son extremadamente altos. <br /><br />Sólo en los Estados Unidos se reporta la presencia de unas 50,000 especies exóticas, 4,300 de las cuales se consideran invasoras; desde patógenos que representan un riesgo para la salud pública como el virus del Nilo Occidental (que por cierto, ya se detectó en Costa Rica); y plantas ornamentales como la hiedra o English ivy (<span style="font-style:italic;">Hedera helix</span>) hasta las iguanas verdes y los jabalíes salvajes o cerdos cimarrones como los que existen en la Isla del Coco. Los costos en que se incurre en su control, más los daños que ocasionan, rondan en el orden de los $138 mil millones al año. Como es de esperarse, los costos anuales a nivel global son titánicos: $1,4 billones, según el Convenio sobre La Diversidad Biológica de la Naciones Unidas. En Australia, otro país seriamente infestado con especies invasoras, se estima que el costo de los impactos económicos y ambientales de sólo 11 especies invasoras de vertebrados (incluyendo camellos, gatos ferales, sapos y caballos) es de $720 mil millones al año. Con respecto a “sapos” me refiero a nuestro famoso Sapo grande (<span style="font-style:italic;">Bufo marinus</span>) nativo de Centro y Sur América. Lógicamente, este sapo no representa ningún problema para Costa Rica pero en Australia es una plaga ecológica desagradable. <br /><br />Todo esto nos indica que un país como Costa Rica no estaría preparado para costear el control y la erradicación de varias especies invasoras bien establecidas dispersándose por todo el país, como ocurre en otros países del mundo. Todo indica que la prevención es nuestra única solución inmediata para evitar posibles daños ecológicos y económicos irreparables. Además, no le convendría al país mortificarse con más problemas ambientales de los que tiene ahora. Aunque no todo sería prevención, porque, efectivamente ya existen varias especies invasoras en el país. Así que los esfuerzos de control y erradicación deben de empezar ahora mismo para evitar una mayor dispersión de estas especies tan perniciosas. <br /><br />Desafortunadamente, el tema de las especies invasoras es uno de los vacíos en investigación y conocimiento que se tienen en el país, de acuerdo con el Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBIO). Se han reportado al menos 1,241 especies exóticas, no obstante, no se sabe aún cuántas son invasoras. Las plantas representan el mayor número con 1,092 especies exóticas registradas. Aunque ya se está empezando a hacer algo al respecto. Existen esfuerzos para controlar la Jaragua (<span style="font-style:italic;">Hyparrhenia rufa</span>) un pasto invasor nativo de África, muy común en Guanacaste, en donde coloniza áreas quemadas y produce un excelente combustible para la generación de incendios forestales, una de las peores amenazas para el bosque tropical seco de Costa Rica. El Guineo de jardín (<span style="font-style:italic;">Musa velutina</span>) es una especie invasora importante en las bajuras de la vertiente del Caribe del país. Es un banano de porte pequeño nativo del sureste de Asia que fue introducido como planta ornamental. En la Estación Biológica La Selva en Sarapiquí se ha venido controlando mediante el uso de herbicidas. Cuando trabajé en esa zona del país fui testigo de otro banano con un evidente comportamiento de especie invasora, el Abacá (<span style="font-style:italic;">Musa textilis</span>), en el valle del río Estrella en la provincia de Limón. El Abacá es otro banano nativo de Filipinas, se utilizaba en la construcción de mecates. En el Carmen de Guadalupe en la zona montañosa al este de San José, pude ver el Guineo Piedra (<span style="font-style:italic;">Ensete ventricosum</span>) otra especie de musácea, originaria de Etiopía y que parece ser invasora también. <br /><br />Quizás el ejemplo más clásico de las invasiones biológicas que aquejan al país son los venados, cabras, ratas y cerdos salvajes en la isla del Coco, uno de los sitios con mayor endemismo en Costa Rica y por ende seriamente amenazado por estas especies. Las tilapias y las truchas son otras especies peligrosas que ya tienen poblaciones establecidas en varios ríos y quebradas de todo el país. Existe evidencia de los impactos de estos peces en las especies nativas de otros países. <br /><br />Tuve dos avistamientos interesantes en un par de ocasiones, por cierto muy fugaces y confusas, una en una quebrada en Batán, Limón; y otra en el río Sucio en Sarapiquí; donde pude observar lo que estoy casi seguro que se trataba de un plecostomo (<span style="font-style:italic;">Hypostomus plecostomus</span>) una especie común en la acuariofilia. De hecho dos especialistas de La Estación Biológica La Selva en Sarapiquí me comentaron que ellos sospechaban de la presencia de la especie en la zona y que se encontraban buscando evidencia de su presencia, eso fue en el 2008. Existe una especie nativa de plecostomo, también llamado arrisuaca, (<span style="font-style:italic;">Hypostomus panamensis</span>), sin embargo, su distribución natural está restringida a la zona sur del país en la vertiente Pacífica. Con la introducción de la cultura de los pet shops en Costa Rica es de esperarse que los conservacionistas se vayan a llevar algunas sorpresas desagradables como las que se han llevado los conservacionistas norteamericanos, y en un futuro cercano… <br /><br />De nuevo, la prevención será la mejor iniciativa inmediata para evitar futuros embates por parte de este complejo problema de conservación. La legislación puede ser una herramienta exitosa; Estados Unidos y, recientemente, México han adoptado medidas legales para controlar este problema. Leyes efectivas deberían prevenir y prohibir la introducción de especies invasoras; formular mecanismos para su control y erradicación, implementar acciones para educar a la población, regular las actividades de los sectores económicos responsables de la introducción de especies invasoras, por ejemplo los viveros y el negocio de las mascotas. <br /><br />Por el momento es necesario iniciar actividades de control y erradicación de estas especies, también implementar sistemas de detección temprana y de respuesta rápida. Cuando se trata de la eliminación de plantas invasoras no existe casi ningún impedimento, pero cuando se trata del control de animales hay que cuidarse de la irracionalidad de los grupos protectores de animales de corte extremista. Estos grupos tienden a mezclar erróneamente consideraciones éticas en asuntos de conservación que requieren razones técnicas y científicas. El problema de las especies invasoras es un problema de origen antrópico, por lo tanto sólo nosotros los seres humanos podemos solucionarlo y para eso muchas veces hay que recurrir al sacrificio de animales. Quizás no sea algo agradable pero este problema NUNCA se va a solucionar por sí solo, hay que intervenir y de manera oportuna y con celeridad.Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-39012928267881802072010-02-10T21:46:00.000-05:002010-02-11T08:48:26.269-05:00Tropical passion flowers and passion fruits. by Jorge Bogantes Montero, volunteer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUKjPG9A4nFmI97yw5FbvfAtu9A0bJ82q7g2J6LWKteFTgG1Cbp4NduZw0DDpK61oAi77rERpoBnsaeJtpNSjea6TSNOkmZcWXJ4CPKc_ygcDD2721TzPumRRXoBj7HvBzgDrG8rDKtg/s1600-h/Giant+Granadilla+(Passiflora+quadrangularis)+88.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUKjPG9A4nFmI97yw5FbvfAtu9A0bJ82q7g2J6LWKteFTgG1Cbp4NduZw0DDpK61oAi77rERpoBnsaeJtpNSjea6TSNOkmZcWXJ4CPKc_ygcDD2721TzPumRRXoBj7HvBzgDrG8rDKtg/s320/Giant+Granadilla+(Passiflora+quadrangularis)+88.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436982296070772818" /></a>
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<br />Published in the U.S. Botanic Garden Newsletter "As the Garden Grows", Volume 7, Number 3/ Summer 2009</span>
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<br />If a pretty flower or a tropical fruit flavor could transport our minds to the tropics, passion flowers/passion fruits would be some of the chosen ones. When hiking through the tropical rainforest trails of Costa Rica (where I am from), the sighting of a Grape-leaved Passion Flower (<span style="font-style:italic;">Passiflora vitifolia</span>) used to bring a spectacle of exquisiteness which often jumps out of the apparent deep green monotony of these amazing forests. The contrasting splash of bright colors and exotic shapes of the passion flowers are normally a good reason to stop and behold. After pollination, these plants produce the extraordinary passion fruits or granadillas, which are almost all edible though not all the species produce fruits that are palatable enough to be eaten. The edible parts of passion fruits are the arils (the pulp covering the seeds) and the mesocarp (the fleshy wall underneath the peel where the seeds are attached). However, in the commercial species only the aril is edible, since the mesocarp is too crusty and insipid. The sweet/tart freshness of these fruits provides an excellent remedy for hot sunny days, perhaps, anywhere in the world. Even though Passiflora, which is the genus encompassing all the species of passion flowers/passion fruits, are not restricted to the tropics; the most important species are, at least economically speaking. There are more than 500 species of passion flowers of tropical and subtropical origin, of which 90% are native to the Americas. Here are the number of species for three selected countries: 9 in the USA, about 50 in Costa Rica, and, more than 200 species in Brazil. There is at least one local species of passion flower with edible fruits around the DC area, <span style="font-style:italic;">Passiflora incarnata</span>, this species is known as ‘Maypop’.
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<br />Some passion flower species are important food crops and ornamentals. In Costa Rica, these plants are widely used in butterfly farming as host plants for the beautiful heliconian butterflies, whose larvae feed on the foliage of these plants. The outstanding beauty of these ‘exotic’ flowers has given them the suggestive name. Although, some people are likely to be surprised when they learn about the actual origin of this common name. Passion flower (or Passiflora in Latin) does not refer to any sort of love lore; but rather has a religious origin. When catholic Spaniards arrived to what today is Latin America, they named it passion flower in reference to the symbols of the passion of Christ. The flowers’ corona -the colorful threadlike filaments set in a circle around the flower’s reproductive organs- represents the crown of thorns said to have been placed on Jesus’s head. The style (female flower part) which is divided into three parts, denotes the three nails; the five stamens (pollen-bearing parts) stand for Christ’s five wounds; and the length of time the flower blooms, usually around three days, corresponds to the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection.
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<br />A South American species of passion flower, <span style="font-style:italic;">Passiflora edulis</span>, known as Maracuyá in Spanish or Maracujá in Portuguese, produces the popular passion fruits that are consumed throughout the world. This is the one you are likely to get at most grocery stores, ice cream shops, bars, and restaurants. The fruits can be either purple or yellow colored. The purple fruits originally come from Brazilian populations. This passion fruit has an excellent flavor suitable for many kinds of beverages, smoothies, gelati, and cocktails. When buying these fruits at the supermarket attempting to make your own goodies from scratch, you have to bear in mind that the useful part of the fruit is the aril, namely, the somewhat jelly-textured pulp covering each seed and not the seeds themselves! Blending the seeds excessively with the blender will make your juice taste astringent and give an unappealing color to it. Other species with popular passion fruits are: Giant Granadilla (<span style="font-style:italic;">Passiflora quadrangularis</span>) -which the USBG displays at the Conservatory’s Plant Exploration Room-, Sweet Granadilla (<span style="font-style:italic;">Passiflora ligularis</span>), the Banana Passion Fruit (<span style="font-style:italic;">Passiflora mollissima</span>), and a few other South American species. However, all these species are virtually impossible to find in most grocery stores in the U.S., or at least in the DC area.
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<br />Passion flowers are not just pretty edible plants; they also have an important medicinal value, at least in the more traditional herbal medicine. Nearly all the plant parts of some species are considered to be effective to treat diseases related to the central nervous system. The plants are also used to combat gastrointestinal problems, pulmonary problems, among others.
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<br />Furthermore, passion flowers are not just meant to feed, delight or heal humans! These plants have coevolved with a plethora of organisms in their native habitats. The ecological relationships between these plants and many animals are rather complex. Therefore, all the unique features of passion flower plants that draw our attention (unusual shapes, pretty colors, good flavors, smells, etc.) are the result of this intricate coevolution. As mentioned above, leaves are eaten by butterfly larvae; the plant’s chemical compounds protect these larvae from predators simply by making them toxic! The flowers are usually pollinated by hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, wasps, and bats; but some species do not need the ‘pollination services’ of these animals since they can self pollinate. Passion flower plants have unique structures known as extrafloral nectaries, these are nectar-producing glands located at the leaf stalks and at the leaves edges. The purpose of the extrafloral nectaries is to attract and benefit predatory insects with yummy treats; usually ants that defend the plant from herbivorous insects. I encourage all the readers to explore and enjoy these amazing flowering plants, not only the tropical species, but also the species native to North America, and, more importantly to preserve them!Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031330212738431621.post-12297460834904052962010-02-10T21:12:00.000-05:002010-02-11T08:58:56.584-05:00Where do corn, vanilla and chili peppers come from? A botanical journey to Mesoamerica. by Jorge Bogantes Montero, volunteer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEEhDsqPjG9mfSYz0DwYt3CsV1wVdX7ntldxpybYhXQOH14tDDXOYa2mW3RP93JTUErniR0EZMo8Kq1mS5kSu5ccfI5DU4tjm5-lY1xad0PIAEgUf1xGG2xMWgp-5v2uYHm6U1laKwpE/s1600-h/IMG_1220.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEEhDsqPjG9mfSYz0DwYt3CsV1wVdX7ntldxpybYhXQOH14tDDXOYa2mW3RP93JTUErniR0EZMo8Kq1mS5kSu5ccfI5DU4tjm5-lY1xad0PIAEgUf1xGG2xMWgp-5v2uYHm6U1laKwpE/s320/IMG_1220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983668792809170" /></a>
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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> <span style="font-style: italic;">Published in </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">the U.S. Botanic Garden's Newsletter</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">"As the Garden Grows", Volume 7, Number 2/ Spring 2009</span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Traditionally Mesoamerica has been considered a cultural region that goes from central <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> to northwestern <st1:country-region st="on">Costa Rica</st1:country-region>, thus including <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> and most of <st1:place st="on">Central America</st1:place>. More recently, the concept of Mesoamerica has been used by many to denote the region from central <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Panama</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The former range mentioned is more often referred to by anthropologists and archeologists where as the latter is being widely used by conservationists and international conservation organizations that operate in the region. <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place> has seen the splendor and demise of some of the most outstanding ancient civilizations in the world, the Mayas and the Aztecs. The region is still the homeland of important indigenous populations with ever-amazing cultures but with deep socio-economic problems as well.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the Pre-Columbian times agriculture was a very important part of the Mesoamerican culture. Plenty of worldwide economically important plant species were domesticated in this region of the world some thousands of years ago by using original agricultural methods. It is thought that agriculture was much more sophisticated in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and the South American Andes than in contemporary <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>. This agricultural development could only be compared to that of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mesoamerica is a splendid land of dazzling active volcanoes, rugged topography, highland plateaus, some of the world’s most complex cave systems, lakes, coastal mangrove forests, the world’s second largest coral reef barrier, vast rainforests, tropical dry forests, pine forests, cloud forests, and 7% of the world’s biodiversity in only 0.5% of the world’s territory! This land has been called home by up to 80 indigenous ethnic groups for millennia. <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Guatemala</st1:place></st1:country-region> are currently the countries with the largest indigenous population in the region. Their use of local plants for culinary, medicinal and spiritual purposes is still an important part of their culture.<span style=""> </span><span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At least 60 cultivated plants species are native to <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place> making it one of the most important regions of the world in terms of the number of native plants of global or local economic importance. Just take a look at your diet and you’ll see the importance of Mesoamerican plants in your life. The carb boost given by the corn cereal in the morning, the peppers adding spice and good taste to your meals, the delicious refried beans in the burritos, a self-indulgent vanilla ice cream in a hot summer day, the rich dark chocolate as an excellent excuse to strengthen your heart with flavonols, the cotton fabric in your apparel, the vitamin C-rich tomatoes, which are curiously the staple of Italian food! and the oily avocados in your guacamole snacks, just to name a few! All these plants have been harvested for thousands of years; the numerous varieties are the result of complex processes of human selection and horticultural methods that have created plant crops with optimal characteristics. Let’s just put it this way, ancient biotechnology added to modern biotechnology have resulted in the creation of hundreds and thousands of cultivars (races or varieties of plants) per specie.<span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With a total harvest of up to 300 tonnes only in 2007, the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> leads the world’s corn production. Even though corn seeds and its flour are very important nutritional constituents used in a who’s who of food items, corn has also got innovative uses such as biodegradable plastic and as biofuel. Corn (<i style="">Zea mays</i>) is only known as a cultivated plant there’s no such thing as a wild corn plant since the plant can’t live without human nurturing. The origins of corn are still a hot topic of debate within the scientific community but it is certainly known that it was domesticated somewhere in <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place>. The Popol Vuh, which is basically the Mayan bible, suggests that human flesh and blood were made out of corn. Corn-based tortillas and tamales with all their local versions are a quintessence of the Mesoamerican diet. There are more than 250 types of corn native to Latin America (known as corn “races”) with colors ranging from white and yellow to red and purple, the greatest variety of corn races is found in Mexico and the Andes in South America. The hard and starchy corn types from temperate regions of <st1:place st="on">North America</st1:place> and other parts of the world comprise the bulk of the world’s commercial harvest, but the numerous local corn races in Latin American have remarkable local importance. The modern biotechnological advances have skyrocketed the creation of a legion of corn hybrids and genetically engineered corn organisms.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Peppers and chili peppers (<i style="">Capsicum spp.</i>) (in Spanish <i style="">ajíes</i>, <i style="">chiles</i> or <i style="">pimientos</i>) were the first spice encountered by Spaniards in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Americas</st1:country-region></st1:place>. There are wild populations of peppers growing from the southern <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region> but it is thought that the domestication might have occurred in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>, according to archeological research findings. There are many pepper varieties and at least four cultivated species with different shapes, sizes and spiciness. Both spicy and non-spicy peppers belong to <i style="">Capsicum</i> genus. The pungent flavor of chili peppers is given by a chemical compound called capsaicin which has been found to possess anticarcinogenic properties. Peppers also have a high content of vitamin C. The cultivation of peppers expanded rapidly in Europe and Africa when dried peppers imported from <st1:place st="on">Latin America</st1:place> had viable seeds. Chilies were introduced to <st1:place st="on">Asia</st1:place> in the 1500’s and were taken up by the local southern Asian cuisines almost straight away. Peppers are nowadays a significant ingredient in Thai, Sri Lankan, Korean and Indian food; <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> is the world’s largest producer of chili peppers and the producer of some of the spiciest chili peppers in the world.<span style=""> </span><span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Like peppers, tomatoes (<i style="">Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) are another member of the Nightshade plant family (Solanaceae). There are wild species of tomatoes in the Pacific coast of <st1:place st="on">South America</st1:place>. Nevertheless, there’s no evidence of tomato farming before the arrival of the Spaniards in that region. But, there is evidence of the use of tomato in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> before that time. So far, tomatoes have reached a greater economic significance outside of its native range, being an important crop in Europe and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> It has been cultivated in the Mediterranean region since the 1500’s where it easily adapted to the local climatic conditions. When first discovered the Spanish conquistadores found tomatoes similar to the European apple, in Italian they are actually called <i style="">pomodoro</i> (golden apple).
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region st="on"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mexico</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> has had an evident cultural influence in the modern <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> culture, particularly when it comes to food. An evidence of that influence is clearly seen by the widespread consumption of beans in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a quick meal burrito at lunch break or the classical chili con carne says it all! Common beans (<i style="">Phaseolus vulgaris</i>) are found from <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region>, there are hundreds of Common bean cultivars, including black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and so on. It is thought that beans were first domesticated in Mesoamerica and the <st1:place st="on">Andes</st1:place> some 7,000 years ago. Bean seeds (what we usually eat) have to be cooked or toasted to soften the cotyledons (the two seed parts that form one bean) and to eliminate some toxic compounds. Beans contain both protein (22%) and carbohydrates (60%) some fats and minerals. Couldn’t get any healthier, could it?
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Vanilla (<i style="">Vanilla planifolia</i>) and <st1:city st="on">Cocoa</st1:city> (<i style="">Theobroma cacao</i>) are both native to and were firstly domesticated in <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place>. For more information on these species the USBG has temporary exhibitions and discovery carts, these are a must-see for anyone who wants to learn lots of fun and interesting facts about this wonderful species.
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Totonac Indians of southern <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> were the first peoples to discover and use vanilla, quite a culinary accomplishment! They used it in combination with cocoa in beverages. They were the world’s main vanilla producers until the mid-19<sup>th</sup> century when the majority of the commercial production switched to the <st1:place st="on">Old World</st1:place> tropics as a result of the discovery of hand pollination techniques. Archeological evidence shows that cocoa was first used in <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place> more than 2,500 years ago by the Olmecs and the Mayans. The Spaniards did not discover cocoa until the 1500’s when it became quite the hype between the European upper classes. The Spanish tried to keep it a secret but they couldn’t make it. By the mid-1600’s chocolate became a sensation across Europe, especially in <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Netherlands</st1:place></st1:country-region>. But it wasn’t until the 19<sup>th</sup> century that the modern chocolate bar was invented in Switzerland.<span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Moreover, another Mesoamerican plant is so utterly important in the world that you wear and sleep on its seed’s fibers, that’s right! Cotton. Cotton is the world’s most essential and commonly used source of fiber for fabric. Even though there are at least four species that produce commercial cotton in the world, the Upland Cotton or Mexican Cotton (<i style="">Gossypium hirsutum</i>) is the most important species to the world’s cotton production. Cultivation of cotton dates back 5,500 years to Pre-Columbian Mexico. Today, some indigenous ethnic groups in the region still use cotton in their beautiful traditional outfits and handicrafts. A trip to the Mayan Guatemalan highlands is definitely a must-see for ethnic textile lovers! The cotton shrub is considered a tetraploid plant (meaning that it has four sets of chromosomes) but it is quite unknown where and how this genetic modification took place. There are more than 1,000 commercial cotton cultivars used in countries like <st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> which differ in the fiber quality and its resistance to plagues.<span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who doesn’t like some tortilla chips with a good guacamole dip? It’s just as Mesoamerican as food can get! Isn’t it? When the Spaniards arrived to Latin America avocados (<i style="">Persea <st1:city st="on">americana</st1:city></i>) were used throughout the region from <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region> and <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Bolivia</st1:country-region></st1:place>. It is not clear where its domestication took place originally, although it is thought that it could have occurred in separate places throughout <st1:place st="on">Latin America</st1:place>. However, the oldest clues of avocado use date back 10,000 years according to findings in an archeological site in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>There are three major groups or races of avocados: Mexican, Guatemalan and West Indian. Even so, many of the commercial avocados are hybrids. Avocados are rich in nutritive oils that are easily digested; the older the fruit gets the more oils it develops. Furthermore, the fruit contains proteins, vitamins A and C and the sugar content is rather low. About 95% of the avocados grown in <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place> and 80% of the avocados consumed worldwide are Hass avocados, a cultivar developed and patented by a Californian postman and horticulture amateur Rudolph Hass in the early 1900’s. It is not known what variety of seed produced the original Hass mother tree but it became a more than a billion-dollar business solely in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Even chewing gum comes from <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place>! The latex of the Chicle or Sapodilla trees (<i style="">Manilkara zapota</i> and <i style="">Manilkara chicle</i>) was chewed by the Mayans thousands of years ago. The first commercialization of chicle to make the chartbuster chewing gum was done in the late 1800’s by an enterprising New Yorker whose name was Thomas Adams, later on it would become an all time success. The natural gum was largely replaced by synthetic rubber which was more convenient for large-scale producers. Natural chewing gum is currently starting to come back with the new appreciation of organic and fair trade products. Verve Inc. the manufacturers of Glee Gum make chewing gum using natural sapodilla tree-made gum base which they buy from local producers in <st1:place st="on">Central America</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span><span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Other contributions of <st1:place st="on">Mesoamerica</st1:place> to the world’s useful plants are allspice (<i style="">Pimenta dioica</i>), the Tequila agave (<i style="">Agave tequilana</i>), Amaranth (<i style="">Amaranthus cruentus </i>and<i style=""> A. hypochondriacus</i>) and squashes (<i style="">Cucurbita moschata</i>,<i style=""> C. pepo</i>,<i style=""> C. argyrosperma </i>and<i style=""> C. ficifolia</i>). But these are just the most popular ones, there are dozens of other fascinating plant species that have a strictly local use and are rarely known to outsiders. If you want to venture more into the Mesoamerican useful plants, food is always the best start. Go to a Mexican, salvadorean or other Central American grocery store or restaurant and discover how a plethora of plant products and byproducts have been the companion of people and their kitchens since ancient times. <span style=""> </span><span style="">
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<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Jorge Bogantes Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031850166490560876noreply@blogger.com1