Papers by Cindy Córdoba Vargas
Estudio de la estructura del agroecosistema cafetero mediante el diagrama de ciclos causales, 2019
The purpose of this study is was to identify the dynamics emerging from the interaction
of the ag... more The purpose of this study is was to identify the dynamics emerging from the interaction
of the agroecosystem structure, management practices and climatic factors, integrate ecosystem and
cultural components. Surveys, field visits and guided tours in Anolaima (Cundinamarca) were used to design
causal loop diagrams that were assessed and corrected by participating coffee farmers. The analysis of the
diagram allows us to understand the productive performance of the agroecosystem as a result of its components interactions. Shade trees and farm-level capital were highlighted as important variables with a high level of influence on the agroecosystem's performance. The conceptual diagram presents a dynamic approach to relations that include farm-level social capital and elements such as the presence of community leaders, project management and community organization. The combination of ecosystem, technical and cultural factors in feedbacks attempts to contextualize the day-to-day of the coffee farm and the way it is understood and managed by the farmers. The proposed diagram serves as groundwork for developing a simulation model using system dynamics to increase the understanding of different actors and for designing farm management strategies
Key points of resilience to climate change: a necessary debate from agroecological systems, 2019
The objective of this article is to critically analyze the concept of resilience and propose comp... more The objective of this article is to critically analyze the concept of resilience and propose complementary elements for its strengthening, particularly for its study in agroecological systems facing climate change and variability. Five main points are explored to achieve a critical comprehension of resilience: causality; change and uncertainty; multiple scales; diversity and the capacity to transform. Resilience is not an
adaptation to biophysical factors, nor to inequal and unjust socio-economic conditions, on the contrary, resilience implies collective action conscious of multiple scales of transformation of agroecosystems and even of the predominant social system. We conclude that resilience to climate change is not a neutral concept, it is strongly related to issues of power and inequality, linked to the economic and political context in which agroecosystems unfold. Since there is no consensus in society
on the ways to respond to climate change and variability, it is necessary to consider who defines resilience, for what purpose and according to what interests.
Resilience to climate variability: the role of perceptions and traditional knowledge in the Colombian Andes , 2019
Adaptive capacity and transformation to climate variability not only depend on the environmental ... more Adaptive capacity and transformation to climate variability not only depend on the environmental conditions of a farm, but on the way in which farmers are able to face and change factors related to structural political, economic, and cultural dynamics. The objective of this research is to analyse how perceptions and traditional knowledge influence the resilience of farmers in the Colombian Andes, in the face of climate variability, through a set of qualitative methods. The main identified perceived causes of climate variability were defores- tation and pollution, while greater solar radiation intensity was the most mentioned effect, linked to crops and biodiversity loss. The most extended adaptation strategies consisted of on- farm, short-term agricultural measures, which favour a certain degree of adaptation but are limited in their potential to build up resilience. This research provides insights on the feedback between the perceptions and traditional ecological knowledge of peasant communities and the social-ecological factors that enhance or hamper their resilience towards climate variability. It is argued that successful strategies must respond not only to climatic conditions, but to the transformation of unequal eco- nomic and political factors that hinder resilience. Including these factors in research and policy-making is fundamental if resilience is to be achieved.
Acta Biologica Colombiana, Apr 1, 2010
Se montó una huerta con cultivos de cebolla (Allium fistulosum) y zanahoria (Daucus carota) en la... more Se montó una huerta con cultivos de cebolla (Allium fistulosum) y zanahoria (Daucus carota) en la que se utilizaron prácticas de agricultura ecológica: fertilización orgánica, asociación de cultivos, cubierta del suelo, mantenimiento de arvenses y alelopatías. Se prepararon como fertilizantes: compost tipo Bocashi empleando sustratos que abundan en la zona y que, si no se utilizan pueden convertirse en fuentes de contaminación (bagazo de caña y pulpa de café), y un biofertilizante líquido aerobio. Estos procedimientos se realizaron con el fin de evaluar las preparaciones tradicionales de los campesinos de la región. Se definieron tres tratamientos: T1: compost a base de bagazo de caña y pulpa de café, más biofertilizante, T2: compost a base de bagazo de caña, más biofertilizante y T3: control, sin compost, ni biofertilizante. Se realizó un análisis microbiológico del suelo antes y después del cultivo, que incluyó hongos filamentosos, bacterias no filamentosas y actinomycetes, determinando el tamaño de sus poblaciones, su diversidad y algunos grupos funcionales así: Fijadores de Nitrógeno en bacterias, Solubilizadores de Fosfatos en hongos y celulolíticos, xilanolíticos, amilolíticos, proteolíticos y solubilizadores de fosfatos en actinomycetes. Se determinó la producción en cada tratamiento. Se empleo un análisis de varianza con diseño de bloques completamente al azar y una prueba de Dunnet, los resultados sugieren que las técnicas agroecológicas usadas, tuvieron efecto en las poblaciones de microorganismos, afectando su abundancia y/o diversidad y modificando la presencia de microorganismos pertenecientes a los grupos funcionales estudiados. La aplicación de los abonos orgánicos elevó la producción de los cultivos, que se desarrollaron sin plagas y enfermedades. El efecto más notable se presentó con la aplicación del T2, evidenciándose un aumento significativo de la productividad de los cultivos, significativas variaciones en la abundancia y diversidad de los microorganismos y variación en las poblaciones de los grupos funcionales evaluados, especialmente para los actinomycetes.
Revista Brasileira De Agroecologia, Dec 31, 2009
Desde la perspectiva ambiental (relaciones ecosistema - cultura), el documento indica que la resi... more Desde la perspectiva ambiental (relaciones ecosistema - cultura), el documento indica que la resiliencia no se debe analizar solamente en el plano ecosistémico, sino también en el cultural, que implica relaciones simbólicas, organizativas (políticas, económicas,sociales) y tecnológicas. A partir de dos ejemplos de agricultores campesinos en los Andes colombianos, el texto enfatiza en incluir las relaciones de poder político en los análisis de resiliencia, para no invisibilizar el contexto general en que se desarrolla la actividad agraria.
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Papers by Cindy Córdoba Vargas
of the agroecosystem structure, management practices and climatic factors, integrate ecosystem and
cultural components. Surveys, field visits and guided tours in Anolaima (Cundinamarca) were used to design
causal loop diagrams that were assessed and corrected by participating coffee farmers. The analysis of the
diagram allows us to understand the productive performance of the agroecosystem as a result of its components interactions. Shade trees and farm-level capital were highlighted as important variables with a high level of influence on the agroecosystem's performance. The conceptual diagram presents a dynamic approach to relations that include farm-level social capital and elements such as the presence of community leaders, project management and community organization. The combination of ecosystem, technical and cultural factors in feedbacks attempts to contextualize the day-to-day of the coffee farm and the way it is understood and managed by the farmers. The proposed diagram serves as groundwork for developing a simulation model using system dynamics to increase the understanding of different actors and for designing farm management strategies
adaptation to biophysical factors, nor to inequal and unjust socio-economic conditions, on the contrary, resilience implies collective action conscious of multiple scales of transformation of agroecosystems and even of the predominant social system. We conclude that resilience to climate change is not a neutral concept, it is strongly related to issues of power and inequality, linked to the economic and political context in which agroecosystems unfold. Since there is no consensus in society
on the ways to respond to climate change and variability, it is necessary to consider who defines resilience, for what purpose and according to what interests.
of the agroecosystem structure, management practices and climatic factors, integrate ecosystem and
cultural components. Surveys, field visits and guided tours in Anolaima (Cundinamarca) were used to design
causal loop diagrams that were assessed and corrected by participating coffee farmers. The analysis of the
diagram allows us to understand the productive performance of the agroecosystem as a result of its components interactions. Shade trees and farm-level capital were highlighted as important variables with a high level of influence on the agroecosystem's performance. The conceptual diagram presents a dynamic approach to relations that include farm-level social capital and elements such as the presence of community leaders, project management and community organization. The combination of ecosystem, technical and cultural factors in feedbacks attempts to contextualize the day-to-day of the coffee farm and the way it is understood and managed by the farmers. The proposed diagram serves as groundwork for developing a simulation model using system dynamics to increase the understanding of different actors and for designing farm management strategies
adaptation to biophysical factors, nor to inequal and unjust socio-economic conditions, on the contrary, resilience implies collective action conscious of multiple scales of transformation of agroecosystems and even of the predominant social system. We conclude that resilience to climate change is not a neutral concept, it is strongly related to issues of power and inequality, linked to the economic and political context in which agroecosystems unfold. Since there is no consensus in society
on the ways to respond to climate change and variability, it is necessary to consider who defines resilience, for what purpose and according to what interests.