Caldas Department Research Articles

An analysis of territorial cohesion in the Colombian context: The case of the municipalities of the Caldas Department

In the area of development, one of the defining characteristics of the Latin American and Caribbean Region is the persistent inequality that can be observed between many of its territories. This inequality is particularly evident in Colombia, a country that has been strongly affected both socially and politically by the internal armed conflict that was going on for over 50 years. Moreover, the effects of this conflict have increased territorial imbalances between departments and municipalities in the country. Therefore, in the postconflict context that Colombia finds itself in, it is relevant to pursue research that addresses the current challenges faced by its territories in terms of cohesion. Thus, this paper analyzes territorial cohesion in the municipalities that make up the Caldas Department, which possesses several characteristics that make it an ideal location for carrying out this type of analysis. To this end, a methodological proposal has been designed to allow for an empirical study, from a multidimensional and dynamic perspective, the measurement of territorial cohesion, and the identification of different factors associated with this process. The results obtained will be useful for the design and implementation of public policies aimed at achieving harmonious and balanced development of the concerned territories.

An approximation to the study of the relationship between starch concentration in the tree and its effect on fruit retention in avocado cv. Hass in the Andean tropics of Caldas, Colombia

Low fruit set percentage, massive fruit drop, and low final retention continue to challenge researchers worldwide due to their direct impact on crop productivity. Among the factors influencing fruit retention, starch concentrations in the flowers have been noted to play a significant role; specifically, higher starch concentrations in the ovaries are associated with greater retention rates. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of starch concentrations in the trunk, roots, flower ovary and young shoots on both the initial and final retention of 'Hass' avocado fruit in two contrasting zones of the Andean tropics of Caldas, Colombia. The research was conducted in two commercial orchards situated at different altitudinal ranges in the Caldas department. Evaluations focused on 5-year-old 'Hass' avocado trees. Starch concentrations were measured in the roots, trunk, young shoots, and flower ovaries. Throughout the study, the number of flowers and fruit retention rates were monitored until harvest. Additionally, light and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels were recorded and correlated with starch concentrations across different parts of the tree. A completely randomized experimental design was employed, and Tukey's comparison of means was utilized for data analysis. In conclusion, our findings confirm a direct relationship between starch levels and both initial and final fruit retention. Aranzazu, in particular, demonstrated higher proportions of flowers with medium and high levels of starch, and it was precisely in this zone where higher initial and harvest values of retained fruit were recorded.

The Plantain chain (<em>Musa AAB</em>) in Caldas: consolidated governance processes

Plantain cultivation is of great importance for the country´s food security and sovereignty. In Colombia, about 87 % of the established area is associated crop and 13 % as monoculture; It is one of the subsectors that generates the highest income and employment, in 2022 960,000 direct and indirect jobs were reported. In the Caldas department, plantain is cultivated in all municipalities, its value chain, its main actors, flows, synergies, and governance spaces around this productive system were analyzed. For this purpose, a mapping of local actors was used with a Social Network Analysis, a description of the de facto banana value chain and it was analyzed under the Governance Analytical Framework. There is evidence of a productive system with well differentiated areas in terms of technological development, integration of chain links, articulation of institutions, organizational processes, access to national and international markets, and agro-industrial transformation processes. The articulation and cooperation between inter-institutional actors have been critical for development of collective actions to optimize resources, time, processes, and maximize the generated impact. The Caldas roundtables competitiveness emerge and position themselves as a consolidated space for territorial governance, which in turn catalyzes articulation dynamics and institutional interventions to enhance the resources of value chains and territories.

Effect of Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus araucensis, Meloidogyne spp. and their interaction on Musa AAB 'Dominico Hartón' seedlings.

The effect of Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus araucensis, Meloidogyne spp., and their interaction was evaluated in seedlings of Musa AAB 'Dominico Hartón'. The study was conducted in a nursery in Palestina, Caldas department, Colombia. Forty-day-old plantain seedlings were infected separately with 750, 1,500, 2,250 and 3,000 of each species of nematodes/plant. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the damage of R. similis, P. araucensis, Meloidogyne spp. and the mixture of 750 R. similis + 750 P. araucensis + 750 Meloidogyne spp. compared with the mixture of different proportions (1,500, 2,250 and 3,000 of each species of nematodes). Noninfected plants were included as a control treatment, for a total of 17 treatments in a randomized complete block design with ten replications. Twelve weeks after inoculation, all nematodes, both alone and in combination, reduced (p < 0.05) plantain dry root and shoot weight. In two experiments, R. similis, P. araucensis, and Meloidogyne spp. alone, each with a population density of 3,000, reduced (p < 0.05) root dry weight by 32.5%, 9.5% and 49%, respectively, and decreased (p < 0.05) shoot dry weight by 21.5%, 23%, and 31.5%, respectively, compared to the control. The interaction of nematodes with the lowest population decreased root (33%) and shoot (21%) weight. We conclude that the growth of 'Dominico Hartón' seedlings was affected by plant-parasitic nematodes, but the greatest damage occurred with concomitant nematode infection.

New species of Anthurium sect. Calomystrium (Araceae) from Colombia

A new species of Anthurium sect. Calomystrium from Colombia is described and illustrated. It is distributed in the east of the Caldas department, in the forests surrounding Florencia (Samaná), elevation between 1300–1700 m in clearings and forest edges. The new species is compared with the most closely related taxa (A. mariae y A. palacioanum) and comments about its geographical distribution, phenology and conservation status (Data Deficient) were made.

Soil vulnerability index to climatic variability in coffee regions of Colombia

Global climate change is one of the main factors threatening agriculture. In this context, variations in precipitation have the strongest effect on soil fertility, plant nutrient availability, and erosion. This research aimed to assess soil vulnerability to climate variability in the central coffee-growing region of Colombia. This study analyzed soil components involved in the sustainability of the coffee production system as affected by extreme high and low precipitation events. For evaluation, three sensitivity indices were constructed, with a weighted aggregation structure and with weight values defined from expert knowledge. The indices were estimated by randomly selecting 432 coffee farms in the municipalities of Balboa and Santuario in Risaralda department and Salamina in Caldas department. The soil nutrient availability and conservation vulnerability index was moderate in the three municipalities (Balboa=2.87 and coefficient of variation-CV 13%; Santuario=2.88 and CV 10%; Salamina=2.9 and CV 9%). The soil leaching vulnerability index was very low in Balboa (4.33 and CV 3%) and Salamina (4.74 and CV 7%) and low in Santuario (3.57 and CV 19%). The soil loss vulnerability index was low in Balboa (3.32 and CV 10.03%) and Salamina (3.49 and CV 11.43%) and moderate in Santuario (3.13 and CV 9.34%). Lastly, the vulnerability of coffee-growing soil to climate variability was low in Balboa (3.33) and Salamina (3.45) and moderate in Santuario (3.09). Based on these results, in the three municipalities, coffee growers must introduce farming practices towards improving soil resilience and decreasing soil vulnerability to high and low precipitation extremes by adequately managing the sources and doses of fertilizers, soil conditioners, and compost and by implementing integrated management of weeds and litterfall.

Not all gone: the rediscovery of Jaguar (Carnivora: Felidae: Panthera onca) and records of threatened monkeys (Primates: Mammalia) in the Magdalena River Valley of Caldas Department in Colombia, a call for their conservation

For decades, the middle Magdalena Valley of Colombia has been a scene of heavy social and civil conflict, which have resulted on a sustained and extensive expansion of the agricultural border, dedicating most lands to extensive cattle production activities. Such extensive disturbances have led to a progressive loss and isolation of natural forests of the region, severely threatening biodiversity. A group highly susceptible to local extinction in the middle Magdalena Valley are the large and medium mammals, because they usually require large extensions of habitat with a good degree of connectivity to be able to disperse between fragments. In this sense, it is especially important to identify the last remnants of habitat that still persist in the middle Magdalena and that still are occupied by endemic and threatened mammal species. Therefore, this work confirms the presence of Jaguar Panthera onca and four threatened monkeys, Ateles hybridus (Critically Endangered), Saguinus leucopus (Endangered), Cebus versicolor (Endangered), and Aotus griseimembra (Vulnerable) inside an isolated remnant of tropical rainforest called “Ciénaga de la Tortuga” in the Magdalena River Valley of the department of Caldas. After 21 years of not having reliable records of Jaguars in the Caldas department, this work renews the hope for conserving this iconic species in the territory and is perhaps the last opportunity to take conservation actions to prevent the total local extinction of Jaguar in the department. This work also represents the first confirmed records of C. versicolor for Caldas department and the second known records of P. onca and A. hybridus. The records of A. hybridus are also considered the southernmost locality for the species.

A new species of Thraulodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae), with additional data on the anatomy of the reproductive tract

ABSTRACT A new species of Thraulodes Ulmer 1920 is described based on nymphs and imagos from Tapias river, Caldas department, Colombia. The mature nymphs were reared until the emergence of the imagos. Thraulodes latinus sp. n. can be distinguished from other species of the genus by: In males, the forewing without cross veins basal to bullae and with 11-14 cross veins distal to bullae, abdominal and legs color pattern, styliger plate redounded, with a long and digitiform median projection and shape of penes with apicolateral area forming an “ear-like” projection. In nymphs, the claws with eight denticles and the general coloration pattern. Additionally, data on the anatomy of the reproductive tract of both the male and female imago of the new species are presented.

Flea-borne Rickettsia species in fleas, Caldas department, Colombia.

Rickettsioses are zoonotic diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and transmitted to man by means of arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas, mites and lice. Historically, Caldas Department has reported a significant number of cases of murine typhus to the Colombian national health surveillance system, and consequent studies of flea-borne rickettsiosis identified the circulation of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in multiple municipalities. Our aim was to genotype species of Rickettsia detected in fleas collected from domestic and wild mammals in Caldas. Flea samples were taken by convenience sampling from dogs, cats and wild mammals (rodents and marsupials) in 26 municipalities. Specimens were classified by current taxonomic keys and pooled for DNA extraction and molecular screening for Rickettsia spp. by PCR amplification of gltA, htrA and sca5 genes. Positive samples were genotyped by enzyme digestion (htrA) and sequencing. A total of 1388 flea samples were collected. Rickettsia DNA was amplified in 818 (gltA), 883 (htrA) and 424 (sca5) flea pools. Alignment analysis with available Rickettsia DNA sequences showed greater similarity with R. asembonensis (gltA) and with R. felis (sca5 and htrA). Restriction pattern was compatible with R. felis. R. typhi was not identified. The present study confirms the presence and high prevalence of R. asembonensis and R. felis in fleas from domestic and wild animals in different municipalities from Caldas Department.

Unexpected case of cancrivory in a lotic tropical ecosystem: First record of predation of Strengeriana maniformis by the frog Rheobates palmatus

The organic matter in the form of detrital material from the riverside of the flowing waters constitutes the most important contribution of nutrients and energy received by the lotic ecosystems. The detritivore invertebrates of lotic ecosystems are the first to consume the bigger organic matter and disintegrate it into fine particles. If the amphibians exert predatory pressure over detritivore invertebrates, they could be indirectly influencing the disintegration of organic matter in flowing waters ecosystems being this a fundamental ecological process in such ecosystem. The aim of this work is to describe the first predation event over a detritivore freshwater crab Strengeriana maniformis by the Colombian endemic frog Rheobates palmatus. During herpetological surveys conducted on August 10, 2019 at a creek known locally as Soto, Norcasia municipality, Caldas department, at the eastern hillside of the Central mountain range, Colombia an adult of R. palmatus was caught at 21:50 h. The individual was located on the ground at 2 m from the edge of a creek which is surrounded by a fragment of tropical rainforest. The stomach content of the individual was sampled using the stomach-flushing technique, and a male individual of the crab S. maniformis was recorded inside it. Ecologically, this new trophic link described in this work makes a small but important contribution to the knowledge of the natural history of both taxa. But, also reveal that the amphibians could exert predatory pressure over detritivore invertebrates of lotic ecosystems as freshwater crabs, which have a fundamental ecological process in such an ecosystem by the disintegration of organic matter.

Significados de felicidad en narrativas de ciudadanos de Manizales, Caldas.

El presente trabajo busca comprender los significados de felicidad presentes en narrativas de ciudadanos de Manizales, departamento de Caldas. El método se fundó en el enfoque histórico hermenéutico para aplicar la entrevista de grupo focal que se hizo en el 2018, como técnica de recolección de información, llevando a cabo la comprensión de los significados de felicidad. Como resultado afloraron seis horizontes interpretativos aparte de los significados de felicidad en el contexto político, económico, social, espiritual y ambiental. Se concluye que los ciudadanos conciben la felicidad entre la disyuntiva de las imposiciones del capitalismo en torno al consumismo y la acumulación de bienes materiales, además bajo la conciencia de una vida en sociedad mediada por un vínculo de interdependencia relativo al sentimiento empático-compasivo.

Levels of serum cholinesterase in coffee growers from the Caldas Department, Colombia

To determine the levels of serum cholinesterase in coffee growers from the Caldas department and its association with demographic and labor factors. A descriptive study was carried out in a sample of 1 098 farmers from the Upper East and South Center of the Caldas department, through a survey that analyzed characteristics such as sociodemographic, labor, and clinical conditions, as well as cholinesterase levels, determined by Ellman's method. Regarding the occupational aspect, 90.8 % of farmers reported a risk of direct exposure to pesticides. 3.8 % of the analytical determinations of cholinesterase were abnormal, which was related to the fact that 75.6 % of the farmers themselves prepare the mixture of the insecticide, 22.2 % spread the insecticide over their crops more than twice a week, and 37.8 % do not wear protective clothing during the fumigation. The last fumigation was within the range of one to ten days, revealing that the shorter the time of application of the insecticide, the greater the inhibition of the enzyme. The most frequent pesticides were organophosphates (58.6 %). Controlling pesticide exposure is difficult because most workers are self-employed. It is necessary to strengthen training programs and awareness campaigns regarding the effect of pesticides on health, as well as health and safety measures at the workplace. Low levels of serum cholinesterase indicate the absorption of a minimal amount of cholinesterase inhibiting insecticides.

Origen de las Escuelas Normales en el Departamento de Caldas

Este trabajo es resultado de la investigación “Origen de las las Escuelas Normales del Departamento de Caldas” y se desarrollo con base en las siguientes fases del método histórico: Heurísitca, Doxografía, Etiología y Síntesis histórica, con el objetivo de comprender la manera como surgieron estas instituciones las cuales son reconocidas como instituciones dedicadas a la formación inicial de maestros. Se puede plantear que las Escuelas Normales como formadoras de maestros para los primeros niveles de la educación colombiana son entidades desde las cuales es posible comprender, interpretar, caracterizar, describir procesos de investigación científica de orden histórico, en tanto en estas instituciones se han delimitado objetos y problemas de estudio, que tienen origen en la reflexión histórica, teórica, práctica y experiencial de su quehacer para dar cuenta de su papel en el acto educativo, el cual es su campo de acción. Este es un estudio histórico- educativo que se ubica entre 1909, creación de la primer Escuela Normal en Caldas y 1978, año en que se aprueba el Decreto 1419 con el cual cambio la titulación de los egresados de las Escuelas Normales pasando de ser maestros normalista a ser Bachilleres Pedagógicos. Este estudio permite entender la forma centralizada y rígida como han sido establecidas las disposiciones y reformas para las instituciones formadoras de maestros, permite caracterizarlas como instituciones reguladas por una visión centrada en el sistema, en la cual el Estado ejerce el control sobre los discursos y las prácticas pedagógicas que constituyen la cultura escolar.

Non-volant mammals in a protected area on the Central Andes of Colombia: new records for the Caldas department and the Chinchiná River basin

The Chinchiná River basin is located on the western slope of the Colombian Central Andes. This basin provides ecosystem services such as water provision for &gt;500,000 people, but has suffered considerable ecosystem degradation, and the information on its biodiversity is limited. We inventoried the non-volant mammals in the Caldas’ Central Hydroelectric (CHEC) Reserve in the Chinchiná River basin, in the Caldas department. We detected 18 species of mammals, present the first record of Puma yagouaroundi for the high Chinchiná River basin, the first record of Leopardus wi­edii for the basin and a new altitudinal record of this felid for the Colombian Central Andes, and we also report a melanistic individual of Leopardus tigrinus. We also provide the first record of Conepatus semistriatus for Caldas department. We highlight the importance of preserving forests on the Chinchiná River basin such as the CHEC Reserve, since they made serve to connect Andean forest with paramo areas on the National Natural Park Los Nevados, adding possible habitat for movements of Puma concolor and other mammals.

El registro de mayor altitud del Hurón Mayor Galictis vittata, con notas sobre su presencia y conservación dentro del departamento de Caldas, en la región andina de Colombia

Introduction: The Greater Grison Galictis vittata is distributed in the northern part of Latin America, from southern Mexico through Central America to reach northern Bolivia and Brazil, from sea level to 1.500 m, being more common below 500 m. In the department of Caldas, located in the Central Cordillera of Colombia, there is no literature to collect information of G . vittata . Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present the record of greater height of the species, conduct a review of the distribution of G . vittata within the Caldas department, and investigate about threats to their populations in that region. Materials and methods: To carry out the review of the distribution and conservation of G . vittata within the Caldas department, were taken into account: A) Specimens, or part of these, deposited within biological collections. B) Records in scientific literature. C) Photographic records. D) Records of live individuals coming from the Caldas department who entered to the Center of Care, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Wildlife of the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Caldas (Corpocaldas). Results and discussion: To date, there are records in the municipalities of Manizales, Marquetalia, and Villamaría, between 900 and 2,200 m. In this work, we determined that this was the highest elevation that has been reported to date for this species not only in Colombia but throughout all its range of distribution. Its main threats within the Caldas department are illegal hunting and habitat loss. In the department of Caldas, the majority of the records are concentrated on the banks of the Guarino River, in the municipality of Marquetalia. We proposed that the area of the Guarino River, could be protected to prevent the local extinction of G . vittata in that department.

Los felinos silvestres del departamento de Caldas, en la región andina de Colombia: composición, distribución y conservación

Introduction: The department of Caldas is located in the Central Andes of Colombia, it includes a mosaic of environments that originally was conformed by paramos, sub-Andean and Andean forests, and rainforests. Although several studies have contributed to the knowledge of wild felids that inhabit the department of Caldas, Central Andes of Colombia, to date, there are no a publications summarizing the existing information on the felids in this area. The aim of this paper is to review the composition, distribution and conservation status of felids of the Caldas department. Materials and methods: To carry out the review of the composition, distribution and conservation status of the wild cats of Caldas department, were taken into account: A) Specimens, or part of these, deposited within biological collections. B) Records in scientific literature. C) Photographic records. D) Records of live individuals coming from the Caldas department who entered to the Center of Care, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Wildlife of the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Caldas (Corpocaldas). E) Records coming from attacks by wild cats on sheep, cattle and horses within the department. Results and discussion: We identified 33 locations with records of wild felids, which belong to six species: Leopardus pardalis (Ocelote), L. wiedii (Margay), L. tigrinus (Oncilla), Puma yagouaroundi (Jaguarundi), P. concolor (Puma), and Panthera onca (Jaguar). In this work, we identified two areas of the department where most of the records were made. The first area is located in the south-central portion of Caldas and it includes the majority of the records of L. tigrinus and P. concolor . The second area is located in the northeastern portion of the department and it is associated with all of the records of L. wiedii and most of the records of L. pardalis and P. yagouaroundi . The main threats to the survival of wild cats in Caldas are: habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, as well as road mortality. Since 1999, there are no records of Panthera onca for Caldas, and more research is required to confirm whether this species still inhabits the department.

Paracloeodes caldensis (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), an atypical new species from the Colombian Andes.

In the present work, an atypical new species of Paracloeodes Day (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is described based on nymphs collected in the Caldas Department, Central Cordillera of Colombia. This represents the first report of the genus from Colombia. The main characteristics that distinguish the new species from congeners are: abundant setae on femora, antennae length twice the width of the head capsule, maxilla with palp twice the length of the galea-lacinia, segment II of the labial palp with a rounded projection and 2.5 times the width of segment III, tarsal claws half the length of their respective tarsi and the abdominal color pattern. The concepts of the genera Paracloeodes, Varipes and Rivudiva are discussed in light of the discovery of P. caldensis n. sp.

Integral methodology simulation support for the improvement of production systems job shop. Metalworking applications in SMES

Metalworking companies represent one of the strategic sectors in the regional economy of the Caldas department in Colombia; in fact, this sector is involved in 31% of the departments industrial establishments and 29% of industrial employment according to DANE (Colombian State Statistical Department) statistical data from 2005. The sector also exports to Andean countries. However, preliminary studies conducted with 57% of the entrepreneurs from this sector (excluding micro companies and family businesses) have revealed serious structural (technology, processing, installations) and infrastructure weaknesses (production planning, quality systems) in these organisations production systems. It is hoped that this paper will lead to disseminating the results amongst the academic community of implementing a comprehensive methodology for improving the production system of a pilot company from this particular sector. An experimental framework for improving the levels reached by the system regarding such priorities is proposed following universally accepted methodology in discrete simulation studies; it proposes using sequential bifurcation, factorial design and response surface experimentation based on defining and weighting the competing priorities which the company should achieve. The improvements in the pilot companys production system priorities are presented in terms of an effectiveness index (EI) which rose from 1.84 to 2.46 by the end of the study.

Developing ripened cheese production in three municipalities in the Caldas department of Colombia

Responding to the need to provide added value to milk produced in the towns of Salamis, Aranzazu and Viterbo in the Caldas department, a project was formulated with the overall objective of developing the production of ripened cheeses destined for domestic and international markets. The physicochemical characteristics of raw milk from these municipalities were thus studied initially, finding that standards regarding milk quality and density (1.030-1.033 g / l), total dry extract (11.30%) and defatted dry extract (8.30%) for the first two came within the range considered normal for cheese-making. Subsequently, Camembert, Cheddar, Emmental, Gruyere and Gouda cheese-making processes were developed in the University of Caldas' Food Technology Unit, using an preexperimental design having a single measurement and using techniques currently validated for ripened cheese preparation. Such processes were analysed for the sensory characteristics and evolution involved in ripening (proteolysis and lipolysis changes). Standardising Camembert, Cheddar and Gouda cheese production should be stressed among the results as they eventually complied with the highest sensory preferences and optimum ripening as verified by parameters such as degree of acidity, ripeness and protein and moisture percentage. It was thus found feasible to develop some ripened cheeses from milk produced in the northern municipalities of Caldas and transfer the results to its collection centres for providing greater added value to raw milk production at semiindustrial level.