Investigaciones sobre los Pagos por Servicios Ambientales (PSA) buscan incorporar el valor potencial de los servicios ecosistémicos, tales como los sumideros de carbono, la protección de fuentes hídricas y biodiversidad, que se encuentran inmersos en tierras rurales. En el marco de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible, la comunidad científica en la Amazonia tiene el reto de emprender investigaciones con sentido social para sensibilizar a los productores de sistemas productivos rurales sobre adopción de tecnologías orientadas a incorporar los principios de sostenibilidad en el campo amazónico colombiano, dada la importancia económica y cultural para la región. Se presentan avances de investigaciones sobre la estimación del costo de oportunidad del uso del suelo con amplio potencial para el diseño de política ambiental, estrategia para combatir el cambio climático, caso concreto: identificación de un valor para los PSA, de conformidad con el Decreto 0953 de 2013 y la Ley 99 de 1993.

The main strategies to combat climate change are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing carbon sinks in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, forest plantations, and agroforestry systems. Deforestation and land use changes in the Amazonia bear great responsibility both for the fixation and emission of GHG. The aim of this research was to estimate the carbon stored in above-ground biomass of forests, rubber plantations (Hevea brasiliensis Muell Arg.), and trees in pastures in the Colombian Amazonia piedmont. Data was collected in 40 farms located in the rural area of the municipality of Belén de Los Andaquíes (Colombia). A total of 174 temporal sampling plots of 250 m2 each were established (80 in forests, 40 in rubber plantations and 54 in pastures with trees). In these plots, the diameter at breast height (dbh) was measured in trees with dbh ≥ 10 cm, and the above-ground biomass was estimated with allometric models for the Colombian Amazon. The carbon stored was 154.1 Mg ha-1 in forests, 1.4 Mg ha-1 in pastures with trees and 138.9 Mg ha-1 in rubber plantations. Positive changes for mitigation of climate change could be achieved through the conversion of agricultural areas, mainly pastures, to forests (+560 Mg CO2 ha-1). Likewise, if deforestation stops in the area, the estimated emissions reduction would be 0.16 Tg CO2 year-1.

The objective was to identify factors of competitiveness and sustainability in livestock systems of The Andean-Amazonian Piedmont. In a sample of 60 farms in the area, a survey aimed at producers was implemented to identify internal and external factors for competitiveness and sustainability. Data envelopment analysis was used to measure technical efficiency and an econometric model to identify the determinants of competitiveness and sustainability. The key factors towards competitiveness were the profitability of the cattle and the forest extension within the farms. The key factors towards sustainability were the reduction of environmental impacts of deforestation to increase carbon storage and the enhancement of ecosystem services. The increase of profitability and the establishment of sustainable systems of livestock production are the rallying points to improve competitiveness and sustainability in livestock of the Amazonian foothills.

The objective was to identify factors of competitiveness and sustainability in livestock systems of The Andean-Amazonian Piedmont. In a sample of 60 farms in the area, a survey aimed at producers was implemented to identify internal and external factors for competitiveness and sustainability. Data envelopment analysis was used to measure technical efficiency and an econometric model to identify the determinants of competitiveness and sustainability. The key factors towards competitiveness were the profitability of the cattle and the forest extension within the farms. The key factors towards sustainability were the reduction of environmental impacts of deforestation to increase carbon storage and the enhancement of ecosystem services. The increase of profitability and the establishment of sustainable systems of livestock production are the rallying points to improve competitiveness and sustainability in livestock of the Amazonian foothills

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