Characterization and evaluation of agro-ecosystems on a farm scale, a case studies: Cotove Farming Center (Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia)

The state, condition and tendencies of the agro-systems (AS) of the Cotove Farming Center of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellin was evaluated by means of a parameterization and analysis of the various receptivity technologies (RT) and intensity technologies (IT) based upon the proposed methodology of Velez and Gasto (1999) in terms of the diversity in AE and the uses, management, and technological state, techno-structural and hydro-structural endowment, potential productivity and benefits to local, regional and national society. Results showed that the majority of the area of the center (60%) has high RT that indicates the establishment of mechanized advanced agro-technological management systems (AMS), but only 15,72% of the area is managed with this SMA. fully 69,3% of the area of the center, mainly under pasture for raising cattle, is managed with traditional SMA. As a product of the interaction between RT and the SMA employed, nine AE were identified, of which five, that represent 27,1% of the area (33,6 ha.), are managed with technologies adequate for the biophysical conditions and the receptivity technology (adequate it), and the other four, which represent 69,4% of the area (86, l ha.) are managed with technologies that do not correspond to their RT conditions (extensive and inadequate its), that leads to a sub-utilization and/or deterioration of their biophysical and ecological conditions