Norte De Santander

This article proposes strategies to improve the competitiveness of the coal industry in the region of Norte de Santander, Colombia. Concepts about competitiveness for business development are reviewed in literature, and then a survey and an interview with managers is applied. Then a weaknesses, opportunities, strengths and threats (SWOT) analysis is proposed to identify the main strategies required by the coal industry. It is concluded that the main strategies are related with the improvement of infrastructure and logistics, technological upgrading of production processes, and partnerships between the public and private sector.

Even though the puma (Puma concolor) is the second largest felid in America and is widely distributed in both the continent and in Colombia. Knowledge about its food habits in many areas of the Neotropics, especially in the highlands, is still limited. We surveyed nine localities in Tamá NNP (National Natural Park) and its buffer zone monthly from June 2012 to May 2015, between 2,067 and 3,500 masl. We surveyed three linear transects of 2 to 3 km in each locality searching for scats, which were located mainly on mountain ridges. We analyzed fecal contents and estimated the minimum number of samples needed to describe puma diet, as well as the absolute frequency of records for each prey species, their relative frequency of occurrence, and biomass consumed. Potential prey species were identified using photos from camera traps at the same localities. Fe-cal analysis (n = 45) suggests at least eight species of medium-sized mammals as prey. Of these, three species were the most frequent, contributing 67.87 % of the biomass consumed: Nasua nasua, Mazama rufina and Cuniculus taczanowskii. The latter is a newly reported food item for the puma. No large or domestic species were recorded as part of the species' diet for the study area, in spite of its availability. Considering the potential conflict with communities surrounding the protected area, by the alleged consumption of farm animals by this and other felids, it appears that the availability of wild prey in Tamá NNP is suitable for puma and apparently the species does not need to use alternative prey as livestock. Our data suggest that the minimum number of samples required to estimate the diet in our study area varies between 31 and 41, suggesting that our results (n = 45) are a good estimate of the species' diet. This work highlights the importance of expanding the knowledge about puma foraging ecology in order to generate better conservation strategies for a species of great importance for the dynamics and stability of the Colombian Andean ecosystems. A pesar de que el puma (Puma concolor) es el segundo felino más grande en América y presenta una amplia distribución tanto en el conti-nente como en Colombia. La información sobre los hábitos alimenticios en muchas de las áreas a nivel del Neotrópico, especialmente en zonas altas, aún es limitada. Se realizaron muestreos en nueve localidades del PNN (Parque Nacional Natural) Tamá y su zona de amortiguación men-sualmente entre junio del 2012 y mayo del 2015, entre los 2,067 y 3,500 msnm. Se realizaron tres transectos lineales de entre 2 y 3 km (por cada localidad) para búsqueda de heces, las que se ubicaron principalmente sobre las crestas de las montañas. Se analizó el contenido y se estimó el número mínimo de muestras necesario para describir la dieta del Puma, la frecuencia absoluta de las presas, de ocurrencia y biomasa consumida. Las especies potenciales también se obtuvieron a través de cámaras trampa de las mismas localidades. El análisis de excretas (n = 45) indicó al menos ocho especies de mamíferos medianos como presas. Las tres más frecuentes y las que aportan en conjunto el 67.87 % de la biomasa consumida son: Nasua nasua, Mazama rufina y Cuniculus taczanowskii. Esta última especie es un nuevo registro en la dieta para el puma. Ningu-na especie grande o doméstica fue registrada como parte de la dieta para el área de estudio, a pesar de su disponibilidad. Aunque el conflicto potencial con comunidades aledañas al área protegida es el supuesto consumo de animales domésticos, parece que la disponibilidad de presas silvestres en el PNN Tamá es la adecuada para los pumas y no tienen necesidad de utilizar presas alternativas como el ganado. Nuestros datos muestran que el número mínimo de muestras necesarias para estimar la dieta del puma es de 31 a 41, lo que sugiere que este trabajo (n = 45) es una buena aproximación. Este trabajo resalta la importancia de conocer aún más sobre estos aspectos ecológicos para así poder generar mejo-res estrategias de conservación para la especie, la cual es de gran importancia para la dinámica y estabilidad de los ecosistemas Andinos del país.

This article aims to structure and characterize the supply chain of coal in Norte de Santander, identifying the main factors influencing the improvement of it. In this sense, an information search on secondary sources is performed to conceptualize the main contributions and functionality of logistics and supply chain management in the coal sector. With the collected data the different stages and actors involved in the chain of supply of coal are structured and characterized, and the most important strategies to achieve world-class performance in the
supply chain are identified. As a result, it is recommended to adopt a supply chain model in the coal sector in Norte de Santander, and also implement strategies related to demand assurance, appropriate infrastructure, modernization of production processes, associativity, legal accompaniment, availability of supplies, long-term partnerships, supply stability, reduced energy costs and environmental sustainability.

Objective: To document the hunting problem and, its current state and other threats for the conservation of mammal's species in the Tamá NNP. Methodology: We visited 13 localities during 34 months, in which we assessed the presence of medium and large terrestrial mammals, and through semi-structured interviews using a participatory approach we documented the communities hunting types and uses. We determined the types of hunting, the techniques employed, species used and other existing threats. To evaluate their relationships, we used the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity metrics and a heatmap through the Vegan 2.0. package on R. 3.0.2 software. Results: 21 species were recorded, 86% have hunting pressures. The hunting of subsistence, of tradition, of sport, and by conflict represented the highest percentages in the area with 67.5%, 17.5%, 10%, and 5%. The use of weapons and dogs was the most predominant hunting technique. Species as, D. novemcinctus, M. rufina, N. nasua, N. olivacea, T. ornatus, and P. concolor were of the greater use, either food, furs, trophies, or raw material for the elaboration of instruments and/ or aphrodisiacs. Other treats as the deforestation and pollution which cover the 76 and 69% of the area followed by livestock 61%, arsons (23%) and feral species (8%). Conclusions: The hunting for conflict, the use of permanent traps, the presence of feral species and the burnings are presented in specific areas of the park, affecting mainly large felines and vulnerable species, thus imperative actions are necessary.

Se  documenta por primera vez la presencia de residuos plásticos en heces de oso andino (Tremarctos ornatus) y en el contenido estomacal de un coatí andino (Nasuella olivacea). Estos mamíferos fueron encontrados en los páramos de Santa Isabel y de la Cabrera, dentro del Parque Nacional Natural Tamá, ubicado en el departamento de Norte de Santander, Colombia. Estos registros evidencian los problemas de contaminación que sufren las áreas naturales y sus consecuencias sobre la fauna silvestre a causa de las actividades humanas. Uno de los factores más influyentes es la presencia de polímeros, puesto que al ser consumidos pueden ocasionar la muerte y/o bioacumulación por parte de la fauna silvestre presente en dichas áreas, lo que se corrobora en el presente trabajo.

Poco sabemos sobre las experiencias, expectativas y deseos de las juventudes rurales. Comprender la pluralidad de sus historias y sueños, en medio de conflictos, pobreza y políticas fallidas, es el primer paso hacia su reconocimiento e inclusión, y hacia procesos de transformación y reconstrucción del campo colombiano.