The purpose of this research was to increase the potential productivity of green areas at EARTH U... more The purpose of this research was to increase the potential productivity of green areas at EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica, through the use of hairy sheep (Ovis aries L.). The research explored the possibility of using hairy sheep to improve ecological efficiency and reduce the costs of mowing, and the related costs of machine maintenance. This quantitative experimental research evaluated the potential of 31 sheep to cut and maintain grass versus mechanical control for four months. A solarpowered electrified fence was used to keep sheep within a defined green area. Sheep were allowed time for adaptation into the system, and a preliminary trial and final test were done. Stripe rotational grazing was used. The availability of pasture, as well as botanical composition was determined using non destructive methods. Biomass production based on dry weight (MS) for a 15 days rotation period was 1.71 t/ha. The sheep managed to reduce the height of the cut to 7.15 cm (p<0,0001) vers...
Las laderas (pendiente >12%) representan aproximadamente el 80 % de la superficie de Honduras,... more Las laderas (pendiente >12%) representan aproximadamente el 80 % de la superficie de Honduras, siendo la principal actividad económica en ellas la pequeña agricultura, tradicionalmente basada en un sistema de tala y quema (STQ), ésta contribuye al calentamiento global al actuar como fuente importante de gases de efecto invernadero y al agotar las reservas de carbono, tanto sobre el suelo como en el mismo. Los pequeños agricultores se encuentran entre las personas más vulnerables a la variabilidad climática actual, debido a que no tienen los recursos necesarios para adaptarse al cambio climático. La Agroforestería, o el uso deliberado de los árboles en los sistemas de cultivo, ha sido propuesto por muchos profesionales del desarrollo como una estrategia potencial para ayudar a los agricultores a reducir su vulnerabilidad hacia el cambio climático y con alto potencial de mitigación; además, de generar co-beneficios para la adaptación, seguridad alimentaria y el desarrollo rural. En...
The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potent... more The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potential productivity of lawn and garden areas at EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica. The research explored the possibility of using the sheep to improve ecological efficiency and reduce the costs of mowing, and the related costs of machine maintenance. This quantitative experimental research evaluated the potential of 31 sheep to cut and maintain grass versus mechanical control for four months. Strip rotational grazing was used and the availability of pasture, as well as botanical composition was determined using non destructive methods. Biomass production based on dry weight for a 15 days rotation period was 1.71 t/ha. The sheep reduced the height of the forage to 7.15 cm versus 5.63 cm of the tractor mower and this difference was statistically different (p<0.0001). There are 36.4 ha of potential areas at EARTH University for this project and the maintenance cost for these areas cou...
This paper evaluates the Quesungual slash-and-mulch
agroforestry system (QSMAS) in crop/livestoc... more This paper evaluates the Quesungual slash-and-mulch
agroforestry system (QSMAS) in crop/livestock farms in
southeast of Honduras in relation to (i) compatibility
with livestock uses and (ii) the positive externalities of
the QSMAS at the farm level and landscape resulting
from higher efficiency regarding soil-plant-atmosphere
interactions. For this purpose, we investigated the intensity
of the different crop/livestock uses in relation to
food security and the conservation of soil and water
variables, in a sample of 25 farms that have adopted the
QSMAS and other 25 neighboring farms that still continue
with the traditional slash-and-burn (SB) system. We
obtained that the QSMAS provided a sustained and sustainable
production of maize and beans that is compatible
with the use of livestock pastures, and at the same
time provides ecosystem services through the reduction
of deforestation and decreased soil erosion. We conclude
that the QMSAS is harmonious with livestock use,
as long as grazing in areas with steep slopes remains
banned and the stocking rate is kept under control. The
QSMAS is a suitable alternative to land degradation in
dry hillside areas that use the SB.
The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potent... more The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potential productivity of lawn and garden areas at EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica. The research explored the possibility of using the sheep to improve ecological efficiency and reduce the costs of mowing, and the related costs of machine maintenance. This quantitative experimental research evaluated the potential of 31 sheep to cut and maintain grass versus mechanical control for four months. Strip rotational grazing was used and the availability of pasture, as well as botanical composition was determined using non destructive methods. Biomass production based on dry weight for a 15 days rotation period was 1.71 t/ha. The sheep reduced the height of the forage to 7.15 cm versus 5.63 cm of the tractor mower and this difference was statistically different (p<0.0001). There are 36.4 ha of potential areas at EARTH University for this project and the maintenance cost for these areas could be reduced by 31 %. The university could handle 290 ewes, as well as rams for reproductive purposes and lambs. If 30 more sheep were bought, the profit value of the productive module in 10 years would be US$ 93,231.
A Dios todopoderoso por haberme iluminado y brindado sabiduría para lograr mis metas propuestas d... more A Dios todopoderoso por haberme iluminado y brindado sabiduría para lograr mis metas propuestas durante el tiempo de estudio de la maestría.
The purpose of this research was to increase the potential productivity of green areas at EARTH U... more The purpose of this research was to increase the potential productivity of green areas at EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica, through the use of hairy sheep (Ovis aries L.). The research explored the possibility of using hairy sheep to improve ecological efficiency and reduce the costs of mowing, and the related costs of machine maintenance. This quantitative experimental research evaluated the potential of 31 sheep to cut and maintain grass versus mechanical control for four months. A solarpowered electrified fence was used to keep sheep within a defined green area. Sheep were allowed time for adaptation into the system, and a preliminary trial and final test were done. Stripe rotational grazing was used. The availability of pasture, as well as botanical composition was determined using non destructive methods. Biomass production based on dry weight (MS) for a 15 days rotation period was 1.71 t/ha. The sheep managed to reduce the height of the cut to 7.15 cm (p<0,0001) vers...
Las laderas (pendiente >12%) representan aproximadamente el 80 % de la superficie de Honduras,... more Las laderas (pendiente >12%) representan aproximadamente el 80 % de la superficie de Honduras, siendo la principal actividad económica en ellas la pequeña agricultura, tradicionalmente basada en un sistema de tala y quema (STQ), ésta contribuye al calentamiento global al actuar como fuente importante de gases de efecto invernadero y al agotar las reservas de carbono, tanto sobre el suelo como en el mismo. Los pequeños agricultores se encuentran entre las personas más vulnerables a la variabilidad climática actual, debido a que no tienen los recursos necesarios para adaptarse al cambio climático. La Agroforestería, o el uso deliberado de los árboles en los sistemas de cultivo, ha sido propuesto por muchos profesionales del desarrollo como una estrategia potencial para ayudar a los agricultores a reducir su vulnerabilidad hacia el cambio climático y con alto potencial de mitigación; además, de generar co-beneficios para la adaptación, seguridad alimentaria y el desarrollo rural. En...
The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potent... more The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potential productivity of lawn and garden areas at EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica. The research explored the possibility of using the sheep to improve ecological efficiency and reduce the costs of mowing, and the related costs of machine maintenance. This quantitative experimental research evaluated the potential of 31 sheep to cut and maintain grass versus mechanical control for four months. Strip rotational grazing was used and the availability of pasture, as well as botanical composition was determined using non destructive methods. Biomass production based on dry weight for a 15 days rotation period was 1.71 t/ha. The sheep reduced the height of the forage to 7.15 cm versus 5.63 cm of the tractor mower and this difference was statistically different (p<0.0001). There are 36.4 ha of potential areas at EARTH University for this project and the maintenance cost for these areas cou...
This paper evaluates the Quesungual slash-and-mulch
agroforestry system (QSMAS) in crop/livestoc... more This paper evaluates the Quesungual slash-and-mulch
agroforestry system (QSMAS) in crop/livestock farms in
southeast of Honduras in relation to (i) compatibility
with livestock uses and (ii) the positive externalities of
the QSMAS at the farm level and landscape resulting
from higher efficiency regarding soil-plant-atmosphere
interactions. For this purpose, we investigated the intensity
of the different crop/livestock uses in relation to
food security and the conservation of soil and water
variables, in a sample of 25 farms that have adopted the
QSMAS and other 25 neighboring farms that still continue
with the traditional slash-and-burn (SB) system. We
obtained that the QSMAS provided a sustained and sustainable
production of maize and beans that is compatible
with the use of livestock pastures, and at the same
time provides ecosystem services through the reduction
of deforestation and decreased soil erosion. We conclude
that the QMSAS is harmonious with livestock use,
as long as grazing in areas with steep slopes remains
banned and the stocking rate is kept under control. The
QSMAS is a suitable alternative to land degradation in
dry hillside areas that use the SB.
The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potent... more The purpose of this research was to introduce a sheep herd (Ovis aries L.) to increase the potential productivity of lawn and garden areas at EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica. The research explored the possibility of using the sheep to improve ecological efficiency and reduce the costs of mowing, and the related costs of machine maintenance. This quantitative experimental research evaluated the potential of 31 sheep to cut and maintain grass versus mechanical control for four months. Strip rotational grazing was used and the availability of pasture, as well as botanical composition was determined using non destructive methods. Biomass production based on dry weight for a 15 days rotation period was 1.71 t/ha. The sheep reduced the height of the forage to 7.15 cm versus 5.63 cm of the tractor mower and this difference was statistically different (p<0.0001). There are 36.4 ha of potential areas at EARTH University for this project and the maintenance cost for these areas could be reduced by 31 %. The university could handle 290 ewes, as well as rams for reproductive purposes and lambs. If 30 more sheep were bought, the profit value of the productive module in 10 years would be US$ 93,231.
A Dios todopoderoso por haberme iluminado y brindado sabiduría para lograr mis metas propuestas d... more A Dios todopoderoso por haberme iluminado y brindado sabiduría para lograr mis metas propuestas durante el tiempo de estudio de la maestría.
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Papers by Alexi Mendoza
agroforestry system (QSMAS) in crop/livestock farms in
southeast of Honduras in relation to (i) compatibility
with livestock uses and (ii) the positive externalities of
the QSMAS at the farm level and landscape resulting
from higher efficiency regarding soil-plant-atmosphere
interactions. For this purpose, we investigated the intensity
of the different crop/livestock uses in relation to
food security and the conservation of soil and water
variables, in a sample of 25 farms that have adopted the
QSMAS and other 25 neighboring farms that still continue
with the traditional slash-and-burn (SB) system. We
obtained that the QSMAS provided a sustained and sustainable
production of maize and beans that is compatible
with the use of livestock pastures, and at the same
time provides ecosystem services through the reduction
of deforestation and decreased soil erosion. We conclude
that the QMSAS is harmonious with livestock use,
as long as grazing in areas with steep slopes remains
banned and the stocking rate is kept under control. The
QSMAS is a suitable alternative to land degradation in
dry hillside areas that use the SB.
agroforestry system (QSMAS) in crop/livestock farms in
southeast of Honduras in relation to (i) compatibility
with livestock uses and (ii) the positive externalities of
the QSMAS at the farm level and landscape resulting
from higher efficiency regarding soil-plant-atmosphere
interactions. For this purpose, we investigated the intensity
of the different crop/livestock uses in relation to
food security and the conservation of soil and water
variables, in a sample of 25 farms that have adopted the
QSMAS and other 25 neighboring farms that still continue
with the traditional slash-and-burn (SB) system. We
obtained that the QSMAS provided a sustained and sustainable
production of maize and beans that is compatible
with the use of livestock pastures, and at the same
time provides ecosystem services through the reduction
of deforestation and decreased soil erosion. We conclude
that the QMSAS is harmonious with livestock use,
as long as grazing in areas with steep slopes remains
banned and the stocking rate is kept under control. The
QSMAS is a suitable alternative to land degradation in
dry hillside areas that use the SB.