Agroecosystems in the Colombian Amazon: an assessment of their socioecological attributes using the Main Agroecological Structure framework

Sustainable food systems consistently provide nutritious, secure, and affordable food while maintaining the environmental and social basis that supports them – namely healthy ecosystems and rural livelihoods. Using the Main Agroecology Structure (MAS) framework and combining qualitative and participatory methods, social cartography and landscape metrics, this study examines sustainability in Amazon agroecosystems in the department of Caquetá, Colombia. Our results show that, despite the homogenization in livestock systems resulting from the development and settlement processes in the region, agroecosystems continue to include diverse food crops for both self-consumption and commercialization. The ecological dimensions of agroecosystems (e.g. internal and external ecological connections) need improvement, even though stakeholders demonstrate a high level of environmental awareness, acknowledge the role of biodiversity, and are actively working to implement sustainable practices. Current interventions largely emphasize productivity increases; however, sustainability incentives should be guided by a more comprehensive understanding of agroecosystem performance – one that integrates biodiversity conservation, food security, and adaptation and mitigation to climate change.可持续粮食系统可在维持支撑其运转的环境与社会基础（即健康生态系统与农村生计）的同时，持续提供营养充足、安全可靠且价格可及的粮食。本研究采用主农业生态学结构（Main Agroecology Structure, MAS）框架，结合定性与参与式研究方法、社会制图法及景观度量学手段，对哥伦比亚卡克塔省亚马逊流域农业生态系统的可持续性展开调研。研究结果显示，尽管该地区开发与定居进程导致畜牧系统出现同质化趋势，但当地农业生态系统仍涵盖了用于自给自足与商业化销售的多样化粮食作物。尽管利益相关方具备较高的环境意识、认可生物多样性的重要作用并积极践行可持续生产实践，但农业生态系统的生态维度（如内外生态联系）仍有待优化。当前的干预措施大多侧重提升生产力；然而，可持续性激励政策应以对农业生态系统绩效的更全面认知为导向——该认知需整合生物多样性保护、粮食安全以及气候变化适应与减缓等维度。