Exploring the Battle Between Weevils and Peach Palms in Rural Colombia скачать в хорошем качестве

Exploring the Battle Between Weevils and Peach Palms in Rural Colombia

In rural Colombia, the devastating impact of stem borer weevils, Dynamis borassi and Rhynchophorus palmarum, on peach palm trees (Bactris gasipaes) has caused significant economic losses for local families. To unravel the ecological factors driving this phytosanitary crisis, a comprehensive study of the weevil-palm system was undertaken. The study aimed to assess how agricultural practices, landscape characteristics, topography, soil composition, and climate conditions collectively influence the infestation levels of peach palms by these weevils in southwestern Colombia. Data was collected from 32 sites spanning Colombia's Pacific, Andes, and Amazon regions. Landscape features were analyzed using satellite imagery, soil data was sourced from databases, and climate information was gathered from various sources. Results highlighted that landscape variables, particularly the presence and shape of non-forest patches, exerted a significant influence on peach palm infestation levels. This influence is likely linked to changes in the population density of Oenocarpus batatua, a natural host for D. borassi, prompting the weevils to target peach palms as an alternative. The study's findings underscore the importance of adopting a multi-scale perspective when addressing the weevil-palm interaction. It reveals a previously unidentified ecological mechanism driving the crisis. The recommendation arising from this research suggests that strategies for managing peach palms should incorporate a landscape-focused approach, aiming to preserve alternative hosts for the weevils within agroforestry plots. By doing so, rural families reliant on peach palms can better mitigate the impacts of weevil infestations and safeguard their livelihoods. Source: Vásquez-Ordóñez, A.A., Torres-López, W. & Monmany-Garzia, A.C. A multi-scale approach to study palm-weevils in a tropical agroecosystem. Landsc Ecol 39, 45 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01... Check the link!: https://rdcu.be/dA6hL ‪@latam.ciencia‬