Search Results (61)

The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has prompted intensive research into developing bioplastics as viable alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastics. Here, we report a novel approach to bioplastic production by employing plant extract-based solvents to partially dissolve cellulose, a fundamental biopolymer precursor. Using plant-derived solvents addresses concerns surrounding the environmental impact of traditional solvent-based processes, as per the principles of green chemistry. Using computational screening, some natural products were identified from the integrated database resource MEGx. Six natural sources were selected based on their molecular weight, high pKa, and chemical classification. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography confirmed the presence of molecules in the extracts. Bioplastics were prepared with 1, 3, 6, 10, and 15 wt.% plant extract concentrations. Control samples without conventional dissolved and positive controls were also studied to compare their properties with novel bioplastics. Chemical characterization and biodegradability tests were performed. Degradation in water and soil tests for 35 days showed that the biodegradability of the bioplastics with natural extracts at higher concentrations was faster than that of the control samples. By day 35, bioplastics containing 15 wt.% of the D1 W extract showed rapid degradation, with higher weight loss compared with the conventional controls. The positive control (C4), containing NaOH and glycerol, degraded more slowly than the plant extract-based formulations. Also, the test indicated that the natural dissolvent’s influence on the water uptake of the material produced a better performance than the control samples. The surfaces of the bioplastic formulations were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at different magnifications. The findings presented here hold promise for advancing the field of bioplastics and contributing to the sustainable utilization of plant resources for eco-friendly material production. Full article

This study analyzes the intersection of energy, urban planning, decarbonization, and sustainability as a central axis for addressing urban development challenges in Latin America. A systematic search of the Scopus database selected 509 articles published between 2019 and 2024. The documents were thematically classified into urban planning (274), energy (79), and decarbonization (147), identifying only 10 studies that simultaneously integrate at least two of these dimensions in Latin American contexts. While this sample of 10 articles does not allow for generalizations about the region, the article selects representative cases to contextualize the type of research conducted, rather than offering extrapolable results. An exploratory multivariate analysis was applied to identify patterns, thematic gaps, and convergence trends, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of the set of key concepts and Hierarchical Clustering (HCC) to group terms according to their semantic proximity. These results are complemented by co-occurrence and thematic concentration maps generated from keywords extracted from the selected articles. The findings reveal a low level of integration among the topics analyzed, justifying the need to establish new lines of interdisciplinary research. The study proposes a replicable analytical tool that guides future regional research and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Full article

Population growth has significantly increased energy and resource demands, driving research toward cost-effective technologies that repurpose waste into alternative energy forms such as biohydrogen. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate biohydrogen production via anaerobic digestion, addressing gaps in previous studies focusing on a single sustainable development goal or limited environmental benefits. The methodology used the Scopus database with specific keywords, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol to screen relevant articles, and bibliometric analysis to delineate research directions from 2002 to 2024. Findings indicate that research on biohydrogen production via anaerobic digestion has grown exponentially over the past two decades, with increasing emphasis on advanced techniques, innovative reactor configurations, and diverse microbial consortia. Emerging trends, including the integration of artificial intelligence for process optimization and comprehensive life cycle assessments, suggest promising avenues for large-scale implementation. Anaerobic digestion-based biohydrogen production supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the ones related to clean energy (SDG7), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 12 (waste management), among others. Recent advancements are synthesized to provide a clear roadmap for future research toward sustainable energy solutions. Full article

Socioscientific issues are a key aspect of science education, enhancing citizens’ understanding of the intricate relationships among global concerns and fostering their engagement in informed decision making on these problems. To this end, teachers must be able to establish connections between scientific content, its application in everyday life, and its impact on social, economic, and environmental dimensions. This study analyzes the factors that influence teachers’ ability to address these topics in the classroom. It includes two studies. The first study (n = 213) examines prospective science teachers’ interest in and perceived knowledge of 14 issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The second study (n = 135) analyzes the types of arguments that participants use to justify their interest. A mixed-method ex post facto design was employed, using ad hoc questionnaires. The results suggest significant differences between interest and perceived knowledge across certain specific topics. Additionally, the topic addressed tends to evoke specific dimensions within arguments, with cultural/social and ecological/environmental aspects being the most prevalent, influencing the connections teachers establish with everyday life contexts. These findings highlight how interest, perceived knowledge, and the topic itself influence the dimensions considered in argument construction when discussing socioscientific issues and may contribute to the development of teacher training programs that foster a deeper understanding of the complex nature of these sustainability-related issues. Full article

Among the challenges the human population needs to address are threats of global pandemics, increasing socioeconomic inequality, especially in developing countries, and anthropogenic climate change. The latter’s effect has been amplified with the arrival of 2023/24 El Niño, causing an exceptional drought in the Amazon basin, significantly affecting fire conditions and hydroelectric power production in several South American countries, including Ecuador. This study analyzes five criteria pollutants—carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), and particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM_2.5)—during 2019–2024 in Quito, Ecuador, a high-elevation tropical metropolis. Despite long-term efforts to regulate emissions, air pollution levels continue to rise, driven by overlapping crises, including energy shortages, political unrest, and extreme weather events. The persistent failure to improve air quality underscores the vulnerability of developing nations to climate change-induced energy instability and the urgent need for adaptive, diversified, and resilient future energy planning. Without immediate shifts in climate adaptation policies, cities like Quito will continue to experience worsening air quality, with severe implications for public health and environmental sustainability. Full article

Antioxidants are essential compounds with diverse applications, and medicinal plants are a natural source of these biomolecules. Philodendron heleniae, a species native to the Ecuadorian Amazon, belongs to a genus renowned for its traditional therapeutic uses. Extracts from the stems and roots of several Philodendron species have been widely used to treat stress, bladder disorders, and snakebite wounds, underscoring their medicinal potential. This study investigates the volatile composition, antioxidant properties, and molecular docking of ethanolic extracts from P. heleniae, aiming to expand its applications. Phytochemical analysis revealed a rich profile of tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Antioxidant assays (ABTS and DPPH) demonstrated the extract’s strong free radical scavenging capacity, comparable to the standard Trolox. GC-MS analysis identified 48 volatile and semi-volatile metabolites, predominantly phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and lipid-like molecules. Fractionation of the crude ethanolic extract into aqueous and ethanolic fractions simplifies the downstream analytical steps and facilitates the identification and the evaluation of the higher abundance of antioxidant-related metabolites. Molecular docking supported these findings, highlighting strong binding affinities of stigmasterol and desmosterol to catalase, an enzyme critical for reducing oxidative stress. These results position P. heleniae as a promising source of natural antioxidants with potential pharmaceutical applications, while emphasizing the importance of conserving Ecuador’s biodiversity and its bioactive resources. Full article

The study evaluates the implementation of check dams as nature-based solutions to address soil erosion, improve sediment quality, and enhance water retention in the Urku Huayku ravine, located on the Ilaló volcano in Ecuador. Weekly water and sediment samples were analysed from 2021 to 2023. Critical parameters measured include pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient concentrations, and organic matter content. Macroinvertebrates were collected to assess biodiversity changes using the Andean Biotic Index (ABI) and the Shannon Diversity Index. Results show significant improvements: water quality remained neutral (average pH 7.06), while sediment organic matter increased from 0.2% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2023. Additionally, biodiversity improved, with a 355.6% increase in macroinvertebrate abundance. Statistical tests confirmed the positive impact of check dams on sediment and water quality. The study also identified potential areas for additional check dam installations using QGIS analysis, emphasising steep slopes as ideal locations. This study demonstrates the efficacy of check dams in the restoration of degraded ecosystems and underscores their pivotal role in climate change mitigation. Through the enhanced storage of sediment organic matter, check dams facilitated the capture of approximately 58% of carbon. Additionally, they contributed to improved biodiversity. Further research is recommended to optimise dam placement and explore additional biodiversity indicators in Andes Mountain water bodies over 3000 m above sea level. Full article

The agri-food supply chain (AFSC) is vital to ensure global food security. It faces significant environmental and economic challenges, requiring the adoption of circular economy (CE) principles to enhance sustainability and resource efficiency. This article presents a bibliometric analysis of 162 Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus documents from 2017 to 2024, focusing on contributions from leading authors and countries regarding CE application in AFSCs. Using bibliometrix R-Tool Version 4.3.2 and VOSviewer 1.6.20, we identified key topics, such as “Transforming Agriculture through Innovation and Sustainability in the Supply Chain” and “Implementation of a Circular Economy Framework in Agricultural Supply Chains”. We also pinpointed outdated and oversaturated research topics while proposing emerging subjects based on multiple analyses of the scientific literature corpus (title, abstract, and keywords). Finally, the combined bibliometric, network, and content analysis provided a comprehensive “big picture” of CE application in the AFSC, guiding future projects and research. Full article

Worldwide, concrete is used as the material of choice in the construction sector. In Latin American countries, concrete is primarily used in structural elements, because it is a low-maintenance, versatile, and economical material. With its characteristics, concrete has made it possible to cover Ecuador’ housing deficit to some extent. However, this construction material does not entirely respond to the needs of local communities, who are especially concerned about the displacement of traditional techniques and the loss of cultural heritage. In Ecuador, different fiber- and earth-based materials have been used in the construction sector for a long time. These materials present different technical, environmental, social, and cultural characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the sustainability of the production of six local materials in Ecuador under three dimensions: environmental, social, and cultural, using local data. The data were collected in local production workshops, and life-cycle-based methodologies were applied. The results showed the relevance of developing regional inventories to represent the reality of production within the territory. Additionally, integrating the evaluation of environmental, social, and cultural dimensions shed light on the current situation of the building materials production sector, identifying possible trade-offs or synergies with a sustainable and interdisciplinary approach. Full article

Deforestation caused by gold mining in the Ecuadorian Amazon has increased by 300% in the last decade, leading to severe environmental degradation of water and land resources. Effective remediation and revegetation technologies are still needed to address this issue. This study aimed to foster revegetation on 0.5 hectares of degraded land in Naranjalito, a mining site in the Ecuadorian Amazon, by applying plant-based biocompost and biochar and planting Ochroma pyramidale and Arachis pintoi, two pioneer species. The project’s objective was to evaluate the impact of these treatments on vegetation cover recovery through physicochemical and microbiological improvements in the soil. Four blocks and sixteen experimental plots were established: eight plots received treatments with varying doses of biocompost+biol (BIOC), four plots included plantations without biocompost (Not-BIOC), and four served as control plots (bare land). Over six months, dasometric characteristics of O. pyramidale and the expansion of A. pintoi were recorded. The data were analyzed using multivariate methods. The results revealed significant differences between treatments, with BIOC plots T4 and T1 showing greater improvements in vegetation development compared to Not-BIOC plots T3 and T2, confirming the positive influence of biocompost+biol. The BIOC treatment favored not only the planted species but also the secondary successional plant communities including certain grasses, leguminous plants, and other shrub and tree species, thus accelerating the revegetation process. This study demonstrates that biocompost application is an effective strategy to enhance plant recolonization on land severely degraded by gold mining in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Full article

Tropical ferns are underrepresented in demographic studies, despite their ecological importance in forest ecosystems. This study investigates the mortality rates of terrestrial ferns along an elevational gradient (500–4000 m a.s.l.) in Ecuador, focusing on relationships with environmental variables, community characteristics, and plant size. Over two years (2009–2011), 3213 individuals representing 88 species were monitored in 22 permanent plots across eight elevations. Mortality rates, calculated as the percentage of individuals lost annually, averaged 0.87%, with a hump-shaped trend along the gradient and a significant negative relationship with temperature. Mortality rates were positively correlated with species richness and fern density, suggesting competition may influence community structure. Larger individuals exhibited higher mortality rates, likely due to greater resource demands and exposure to environmental stressors. These findings emphasize the interplay of abiotic factors, such as elevation and temperature, and biotic interactions, including competition and herbivory, in shaping fern population dynamics. The low mortality rates observed reflect population stability, potentially linked to unique life history traits, such as extended generation times. This study provides critical insights into the demographic strategies of tropical ferns and underscores the need for long-term research to better understand their responses to environmental and biotic pressures. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and BioTrade are fundamental to address socio-environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. This study assessed the level of knowledge of the SDGs among students, faculty, and administrative staff of the Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam (URAI) using a validated survey and also analyzed Ikiam’s contribution to the fulfillment of the SDGs. Through a qualitative analysis of interviews with experts, a SWOT matrix was designed to understand the status of BioTrade, and strategies were proposed to improve the understanding of the relationship between BioTrade and SDG compliance. The results showed that there is limited knowledge of the SDGs, with significant variations between groups. Also, it was shown that the SDGs to which the university population is most related, according to the area to which they are linked, are SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 6, and SDG 11, while the greatest contribution of Ikiam to the SDGs is made through research and outreach projects. On the other hand, it was shown that the main limitation faced by BioTrade is the lack of knowledge of this initiative in the population, so it is important that academia promotes the strategies proposed to promote the fulfillment of SDGs through effective tools such as BioTrade. Full article

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) can offer an alternative for staple food considering its tolerance to abiotic stresses and high seed quality. However, its cultivation in temperate regions has not been successful due to its photoperiod sensitivity and low seed yield. This study investigated the agronomical performance and quality traits of 48 accessions for cultivation in northern Europe. We conducted two-year field trials and phenotyped traits related to phenological development, plant architecture, yield components, seed quality, and disease resistance. The major determinants of seed yield in this study were days to flowering, days to maturity, thousand-kernel weight, and panicle density, while downy mildew susceptibility and stem lodging showed a negative correlation with seed yield. We developed a selection index to enable simultaneous selection based on different important agronomical traits. We evaluated the stability of different accessions over the two years of the experiment. Finally, we provided a list of 10 selected accessions that can be directly integrated and serve as new crossing parents in quinoa breeding programs for temperate regions. Full article

Changes in land-use practices have been a central element of human adaptation to Holocene climate change. Many practices that result in the short-term stabilization of socio-natural systems, however, have longer-term, unanticipated consequences that present cascading challenges for human subsistence strategies and opportunities for subsequent adaptations. Investigating complex sequences of interaction between climate change and human land-use in the past—rather than short-term causes and effects—is therefore essential for understanding processes of adaptation and change, but this approach has been stymied by a lack of suitably-scaled paleoecological data. Through a high-resolution paleoecological analysis, we provide a 7000-year history of changing climate and land management around Lake Acopia in the Andes of southern Peru. We identify evidence of the onset of pastoralism, maize cultivation, and possibly cultivation of quinoa and potatoes to form a complex agrarian landscape by c. 4300 years ago. Cumulative interactive climate-cultivation effects resulting in erosion ended abruptly c. 2300 years ago. After this time, reduced sedimentation rates are attributed to the construction and use of agricultural terraces within the catchment of the lake. These results provide new insights into the role of humans in the manufacture of Andean landscapes and the incremental, adaptive processes through which land-use practices take shape. Full article

Understanding the demographic structure is vital for wildlife research and conservation. For crocodylians, accurately estimating total length and demographic class usually necessitates close observation or capture, often of partially immersed individuals, leading to potential imprecision and risk. Drone technology offers a bias-free, safer alternative for classification. We evaluated the effectiveness of drone photos combined with head length allometric relationships to estimate total length, and propose a standardized method for drone-based crocodylian demographic classification. We evaluated error sources related to drone flight parameters using standardized targets. An allometric framework correlating head to total length for 17 crocodylian species was developed, incorporating confidence intervals to account for imprecision sources (e.g., allometric accuracy, head inclination, observer bias, terrain variability). This method was applied to wild crocodylians through drone photography. Target measurements from drone imagery, across various resolutions and sizes, were consistent with their actual dimensions. Terrain effects were less impactful than Ground-Sample Distance (GSD) errors from photogrammetric software. The allometric framework predicted lengths within ≃11–18% accuracy across species, with natural allometric variation among individuals explaining much of this range. Compared to traditional methods that can be subjective and risky, our drone-based approach is objective, efficient, fast, cheap, non-invasive, and safe. Nonetheless, further refinements are needed to extend survey times and better include smaller size classes. Full article