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Selection of the minimum indicator set for agricultural sustainability assessments at the plot scale
Selección del conjunto mínimo de indicadores para evaluaciones de sostenibilidad agrícola a escala de parcela
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/agron.colomb.v40n1.98797Keywords:
experimental unit, greenhouse tomato, indicator selection, selection criteria, core indicators (en)unidad experimental, tomate bajo invernadero, selección de indicadores, criterios de selección, indicadores centrales (es)
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Some authors raise concerns about the validity, reliability, and transparency of indicator selection in agricultural sustainability assessments. In this regard, several selection criteria have been put forward for sustainability assessments at the farm, regional, country, or planet levels. However, assessments at the plot or experimental unit level require, in addition to the adaptation of these criteria or the generation of new ones, the construction of a selection methodology. Thus, the aim of this study was to build a framework for selecting the minimum set of indicators that will be part of the agricultural sustainability analyses at the plot or experimental unit level. A hierarchical order of indicators was established, consisting of raw, baseline, and core indicators; the latter made up the minimum indicators set (MIS). Subsequently, selection procedures and criteria were established, consisting of mandatory, main non-mandatory, alternative non-mandatory, and correlation indicators. The selection method was evaluated with the results of a greenhouse tomato fertilization study. Of the 40 raw indicators with which the analysis began, the MIS was made up of eight core indicators: three environmental, four social, and one economic. This indicator selection method uses a rigorous process, with 22 selection criteria, distributed in four hierarchical groups. At the same time, it promotes less subjectivity, by including statistical analysis, algorithms, and mathematical processes.
Algunos autores plantean preocupaciones con respecto a la validez, confianza y transparencia al momento de seleccionar indicadores en los análisis de sostenibilidad agrícola. En ese sentido, se han planteado una serie de criterios de selección orientados a evaluaciones de sostenibilidad a escala finca, región, país o planeta. Sin embargo, las evaluaciones a escala de parcela o unidad experimental requieren, además de la adaptación de esos criterios o la generación de unos nuevos, la construcción de una metodología de selección. El objetivo de este estudio fue, por lo tanto, construir un marco de selección del conjunto mínimo de indicadores que harán parte de los análisis de sostenibilidad agrícola a escala de parcela o unidad experimental. Se estableció un orden jerárquico de indicadores, compuesto por indicadores crudos, base y centrales; estos últimos conforman el conjunto mínimo de indicadores (CMI). Posteriormente, se establecieron los procedimientos y criterios de selección, conformados por: obligatorios, no obligatorios principales, no obligatorios alternativos y de correlación. Para evaluar el marco de selección propuesto, se utilizaron los resultados de un estudio de fertilización en tomate bajo invernadero. De los 40 indicadores crudos con que se inició el análisis, el CMI se conformó por ocho indicadores centrales: tres ambientales, cuatro sociales y uno económico. Esta metodología de selección de indicadores utiliza un riguroso proceso, con 22 criterios de selección, distribuidos en cuatro grupos jerárquicos. Al mismo tiempo, promueve una menor subjetividad, al incluir análisis estadísticos, algoritmos y procesos matemáticos.
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