BOGOTA - Colombia-s Autonomous University of the Occident won approval from environmental authorities to create a botanical garden in the city of Cali, where academics will protect endangered plant species and teach courses in botany.

Among the plants to be preserved in the new Cali garden are the mahogany tree; the 'azulito,' which is native to the western region; the Cyrtopodium orchid, a rarity of the tropical arid forest; and the 'caucano' lily, also native to western Colombia.

The botanical conservation project is to operate with backing from other academic and state institutions and private companies.

HAVANA - Species found among the Cuban fauna can evolve toward gigantism or dwarfism, according to recently released studies.

Veterinarian Fernando Hernández observed that the island's isolation creates special climatic and habitat conditions, leading certain species to evolve in extraordinary ways. Such is the case of the 'almiquí,' which at 70 to 80 centimeters in length, is a giant among the insect-eating mammals.

Another extreme is the 'zunzuncito,' endemic to Cuba, a bird famous for its brilliant colors and for its rapid flight, which makes it nearly impossible to see at its mere seven-centimeter size.

QUITO - The information campaign about the Galapagos Islands conducted in Ecuador following the oil spill there earlier this year showed that there is broad public support for environmental conservation.

Volunteers from several universities and from the Red Cross set up information booths in Quito and Guayaquil, on the Pacific coast, to warn Ecuadorians about the dangers confronting the Galapagos, an archipelago located 1,000 km from the continent.

The mobilization ''demonstrated the existence of a willingness among major sectors of the Ecuadorian population regarding the conservation of our natural heritage,'' affirmed Ricardo Moreno, executive director of the non-governmental 'Fundación Natura,' which organized the campaign.

BUENOS AIRES - The planting of exotic trees is more harmful to the biodiversity of Argentina's Patagonia region than the presence of livestock or even the damage caused by forest fires, warns Estela Raffaele, of the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research.

Raffaele pointed to the rise in the area planted with pines outside the city of San Martín de los Andes, near the Chilean border, replacing the 'aracucaria,' a tree native to this mountainous area.

The shade of the non-native trees prevents the growth of bushes and the pine needles collect on the ground in a layer that prevents the germination of seeds from other plants.

The case of pines in Patagonia will be debated by logging business leaders, lawmakers and researchers from Argentina and Chile at the first Bi-National Conference on Ecology, to take place later this month.