Communicating biodiversity at Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Venezuela

The Lisandro Alvarado University has an Agroecológicas Technology Demonstration Centre (CenecoAgro) for combating desertification. Species have been added to the extensive inventory with potential use for territorial development identified. In the centre they have an advanced research spread and have promoted various types of activities including courses, workshops, guided tours and visits. The teaching of biodiversity management is accompanied with agro-ecological criteria applicable to semi-arid territory. It is handled as top “rating, conservation and recovery of biodiversity and wild agro-productive purposes”.

It has prioritised the importance that plant biodiversity plays in adapting to semi-arid conditions, which ensures its permanence in the climatic conditions, and in the conservation of ecological and wildlife habitats. The activities have been mainly aimed at students from different areas of agronomy and natural resources. Activities with farmers and environmental managers are also promoted. Within the scope of biodiversity its aim is to “promote species adapted to the climatic and soil conditions”. It looks at a number of issues such as the adaptation to climate change as a factor of vulnerability of the territory and its contribution to food security.

Biodiversity is taught using the concepts of genetic diversity, ecosystems, agricultural and spatial diversity (vertical-stratification and vertical-potential soil). Food, timber, energy, pollen, medicine, decoration and conservation of fauna, both native and exotic species that have a potential use are promoted. The work of spreading various species is managed as a strategy in the academic framework of teachers who share the centre. In the centre there are more than 60 potential species and arboreal life forms that are endangered.

For more information email cenecoagro@ucla.edu.ve or careliahidalgo@ucla.edu.ve.