Monitoreo comunitario participativo de hemípteros y diversidad de membracoideos presentes en el bosque seco tropical Ecoreserva la Tribuna, Neiva, Huila

Abstract

The tropical dry forest is in a critical state in Colombia, as currently less than 4% of its original coverage remains. Part of the efforts to preserve and restore these spaces involves identifying the organisms associated with these ecosystems through groups with multiple interactions and phytophagous habits that provide information about the associated plant structure. In order to establish clear routes for conservation and preservation, this research seeks to monitor hemiptera diversity, focusing on membracid bugs, mostly through local participation. Hemipterans also have multiple interactions with other arthropods. To achieve this, monitoring is carried out with the community recognized as biomonitors, where multiple workshops and meetings were held, including the use and application of collection methods such as malaise, jameo, and direct methods. These methods were applied for 69 weeks to identify the state of hemiptera diversity associated with this ecosystem. A total of nine plots were established in three zones within the Ecoreserve, with varied characteristics based on intervention and conservation time. A total of 4633 Hemiptera individuals were collected, belonging to 35 families, with 28 families recorded for the first time in the area. Additionally, 1775 individuals of membracid bugs were collected, recognizing 62 genera, with 40 new records for Huila. A catalog was also created, showing community interest in some of the groups. On the other hand, the hemiptera biomonitor demonstrated significant progress in taxonomic knowledge, recognizing 17 families and six more in a general sense. Regarding membracid relationships in each coverage, higher diversity was observed in less intervened areas, despite their low indices and records of morphotypes, morphospecies, and unique species.Finally, for the project's closure, a series of posters were created to increase the involvement of stakeholders, bringing and inviting the community to learn about the project and its territory, encouraging knowledge of hemipterans and their ecosystem services. The project trained 12 biomonitors in techniques related to identification, collection, and preservation of samples, as well as promoting integrative practices between the community and academia, generating experiences and knowledge that will serve as tools for decision-making on the conservation and preservation of the tropical dry forest.