The rampant destruction of natural forest ecosystems, pollution and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals in modern agriculture, are factors that negatively affect the quality of life of human beings. Highly technified reforestation and agriculture systems, although they have managed, so far, to rescue deforested areas and also increase food production in the world, pose a series of complications that do not yet have defined alternative solutions. They include, among others: the increasing dependence on agrochemicals and fossil fuels, the loss of genetic variability of many crops, the increase in the susceptibility of plants to pests and diseases, the depletion of soil fertility coupled with the risk of erosion and their degradation, pollution of water and soil, and even of the same agricultural products, socio-cultural erosion and climate deterioration. These environmental damages seriously affect: 1) the integrity and / or environmental quality of a region and, 2) the sustainability of the systems.
In the Ecology and biodiversity management line: from genes to ecosystems of INBIOTECA we study the functioning of populations and communities in forest ecosystems and agroecosystems, we analyze the distribution patterns, interactions, life strategies and population dynamics of plants , vertebrates, soil biota and pest insects and their natural enemies and, we evaluate the effects of human activities and biodiversity protection instruments. On the other hand, we carry out studies on bioprospecting, sustainability and ecosystem services.
