Showing papers by "National University of Comahue published in 2018"
George Washington University1, Smithsonian Institution2, Beijing Genomics Institute3, National Museum of Natural History4, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras5, Shanghai Ocean University6, National University of Comahue7, Chinese Academy of Sciences8, Qiongzhou University9, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences10, Agency for Science, Technology and Research11
TL;DR: It is suggested that most lineages of living fishes were already established in the Mesozoic Period, more than 65 million years ago, and genome-scale data support the structure of the fish phylogeny.
Abstract: Our understanding of phylogenetic relationships among bony fishes has been transformed by analysis of a small number of genes, but uncertainty remains around critical nodes. Genome-scale inferences so far have sampled a limited number of taxa and genes. Here we leveraged 144 genomes and 159 transcriptomes to investigate fish evolution with an unparalleled scale of data: >0.5 Mb from 1,105 orthologous exon sequences from 303 species, representing 66 out of 72 ray-finned fish orders. We apply phylogenetic tests designed to trace the effect of whole-genome duplication events on gene trees and find paralogy-free loci using a bioinformatics approach. Genome-wide data support the structure of the fish phylogeny, and hypothesis-testing procedures appropriate for phylogenomic datasets using explicit gene genealogy interrogation settle some long-standing uncertainties, such as the branching order at the base of the teleosts and among early euteleosts, and the sister lineage to the acanthomorph and percomorph radiations. Comprehensive fossil calibrations date the origin of all major fish lineages before the end of the Cretaceous.
384 citations
Vanderbilt University1, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center2, University of Wisconsin-Madison3, South China Agricultural University4, New York University5, Purdue University6, University of Ljubljana7, National University of Comahue8, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais9, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research10
TL;DR: It is argued that reductive evolution is a major mode of evolutionary diversification and chronicle the tempo and mode of genomic and phenotypic evolution across the subphylum, which is characterized by very low HGT levels and widespread losses of traits and the genes that control them.
356 citations
University of Lausanne1, ETH Zurich2, University of Picardie Jules Verne3, Murdoch University4, University of Vienna5, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg6, La Trobe University7, Research Institute for Nature and Forest8, National University of Comahue9, University of Concepción10, Environment Agency11, Montana State University12, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory13, American Museum of Natural History14, University of Vermont15
TL;DR: A mechanistic community model is developed to illustrate how species turnover in future communities might lag behind simple expectations based on species' range shifts with unlimited dispersal, and support the view that accounting for disequilibrium range dynamics will be essential for realistic forecasts of patterns of biodiversity under climate change.
Abstract: Rapid climatic changes and increasing human influence at high elevations around the world will have profound impacts on mountain biodiversity. However, forecasts from statistical models (e.g. species distribution models) rarely consider that plant community changes could substantially lag behind climatic changes, hindering our ability to make temporally realistic projections for the coming century. Indeed, the magnitudes of lags, and the relative importance of the different factors giving rise to them, remain poorly understood. We review evidence for three types of lag: "dispersal lags" affecting plant species' spread along elevational gradients, "establishment lags" following their arrival in recipient communities, and "extinction lags" of resident species. Variation in lags is explained by variation among species in physiological and demographic responses, by effects of altered biotic interactions, and by aspects of the physical environment. Of these, altered biotic interactions could contribute substantially to establishment and extinction lags, yet impacts of biotic interactions on range dynamics are poorly understood. We develop a mechanistic community model to illustrate how species turnover in future communities might lag behind simple expectations based on species' range shifts with unlimited dispersal. The model shows a combined contribution of altered biotic interactions and dispersal lags to plant community turnover along an elevational gradient following climate warming. Our review and simulation support the view that accounting for disequilibrium range dynamics will be essential for realistic forecasts of patterns of biodiversity under climate change, with implications for the conservation of mountain species and the ecosystem functions they provide.
239 citations
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna1, Humboldt University of Berlin2, University of Colorado Denver3, University of Vermont4, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue5, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague6, University of Chile7, University of Maine8, University of Minnesota9, University of Wisconsin-Madison10, University of Washington11, Northeast Normal University12, Portland State University13, National University of Comahue14, Clark University15, Australian National University16, Yokohama National University17, Bavarian Forest National Park18, University of Würzburg19, University of Auckland20, University of California, Berkeley21, University of Colorado Boulder22
TL;DR: It is shown that disturbance patterns across the temperate biome vary with agents and tree traits, yet large disturbances are consistently linked to warmer and drier than average conditions.
Abstract: Increasing evidence indicates that forest disturbances are changing in response to global change, yet local variability in disturbance remains high. We quantified this considerable variability and analyzed whether recent disturbance episodes around the globe were consistently driven by climate, and if human influence modulates patterns of forest disturbance. We combined remote sensing data on recent (2001–2014) disturbances with in-depth local information for 50 protected landscapes and their surroundings across the temperate biome. Disturbance patterns are highly variable, and shaped by variation in disturbance agents and traits of prevailing tree species. However, high disturbance activity is consistently linked to warmer and drier than average conditions across the globe. Disturbances in protected areas are smaller and more complex in shape compared to their surroundings affected by human land use. This signal disappears in areas with high recent natural disturbance activity, underlining the potential of climate-mediated disturbance to transform forest landscapes.
149 citations
TL;DR: The main outcome is a checklist, covering best practice for designing, implementing and recording ethnopharmacological field studies and historical studies, and it is essential that the authors are fully aware of the best practice in the field.
111 citations
TL;DR: This review highlights evolutionary implications for pollination from invasive alien species, and identifies future research directions, key messages and options for decision-making.
Abstract: Invasive alien species modify pollinator biodiversity and the services they provide that underpin ecosystem function and human well-being. Building on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) global assessment of pollinators and pollination, we synthesize current understanding of invasive alien impacts on pollinators and pollination. Invasive alien species create risks and opportunities for pollinator nutrition, re-organize species interactions to affect native pollination and community stability, and spread and select for virulent diseases. Risks are complex but substantial, and depend greatly on the ecological function and evolutionary history of both the invader and the recipient ecosystem. We highlight evolutionary implications for pollination from invasive alien species, and identify future research directions, key messages and options for decision-making.
109 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a method to detect the presence of tropical forests in the Amazon biome using the International Journal of Tropical Forest Science (IFLS) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (SFTI).
Abstract: 1Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA; 2Department of Mathematics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA; 3Department of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; 4School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; 5Department of Geography, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA; 6Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina; 7Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina and 8Center for Tropical Forest Science– Forest Global Earth Observatory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
102 citations
Washington University in St. Louis1, Baylor College of Medicine2, National Research Council3, University of Pennsylvania4, University of Queensland5, Johns Hopkins University6, Frederiksberg Hospital7, University of Cape Town8, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease9, National University of Comahue10, University of Illinois at Chicago11
TL;DR: To protect this vulnerable population from electronic cigarettes and other nicotine delivery devices, it is recommended that electronic cigarettes be regulated as tobacco products and included in smoke-free policies and sale of electronic cigarettes should be barred to youths worldwide.
Abstract: Children and adolescents are highly susceptible to nicotine addiction, which affects their brain development, even in those who smoke infrequently. Young people who become addicted to nicotine are at greater risk of becoming lifelong tobacco consumers. The use of nicotine-delivering electronic cigarettes has risen dramatically among youths worldwide. In addition to physical dependence, adolescents are susceptible to social and environmental influences to use electronic cigarettes. The product design, flavours, marketing, and perception of safety and acceptability have increased the appeal of electronic cigarettes to young people, thus leading to new generations addicted to nicotine. Moreover, there is growing evidence that electronic cigarettes in children and adolescents serve as a gateway to cigarette smoking. There can be no argument for harm reduction in children. To protect this vulnerable population from electronic cigarettes and other nicotine delivery devices, we recommend that electronic cigarettes be regulated as tobacco products and included in smoke-free policies. Sale of electronic cigarettes should be barred to youths worldwide. Flavouring should be prohibited in electronic cigarettes, and advertising accessible by youths and young adults be banned. Finally, we recommend greater research on the health effects of electronic cigarettes and surveillance of use across different countries.
93 citations
59 citations
TL;DR: Using the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) dataset and a synthesis of unpublished data of colony losses survey carried out over the last 7 years, a worrying situation of the beekeeping in this region is revealed.
Abstract: Over the past decade, several countries have carried out monitoring programs of managed honey bee colonies, which suggest beekeeping difficulties, with high colony loss rates all over the world. Al...
55 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of elevation and distance from road on species richness patterns and community dissimilarity (beta-diversity) were investigated using globally replicated, standardized surveys of vascular plants.
Abstract: Aim: We investigated patterns of species richness and community dissimilarity along elevation gradients using globally replicated, standardized surveys of vascular plants. We asked how these patterns of diversity are influenced by anthropogenic pressures (road construction and non-native species).
Location: Global.
Time period: 2008-2015.
Major taxa studied: Vascular plants.
Methods: Native and non-native vascular plant species were recorded in 943 plots along 25 elevation gradients, in nine mountain regions, on four continents. Sampling took place in plots along and away from roads. We analysed the effects of elevation and distance from road on species richness patterns and community dissimilarity (beta-diversity), and assessed how non-native species modified such elevational diversity patterns.
Results: Globally, native and total species richness showed a unimodal relationship with elevation that peaked at lower-mid elevations, but these patterns were altered along roads and due to non-native species. Differences in elevational species richness patterns between regions disappeared along roadsides, and non-native species changed the patterns' character in all study regions. Community dissimilarity was reduced along roadsides and through non-native species. We also found a significant elevational decay of beta-diversity, which however was not affected by roads or non-native species.
Main conclusions: Idiosyncratic native species richness patterns in plots away from roads implicate region-specific mechanisms underlying these patterns. However, along roadsides a clearer elevational signal emerged and species richness mostly peaked at mid-elevations. We conclude that both roads and non-native species lead to a homogenization of species richness patterns and plant communities in mountains.
Office of Environment and Heritage1, La Trobe University2, University of Antwerp3, Montana State University4, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg5, University of Concepción6, ETH Zurich7, University of Chile8, Research Institute for Nature and Forest9, United States Forest Service10, National University of Comahue11, National Scientific and Technical Research Council12, University of Lausanne13
TL;DR: The results show how mountain roads define which non-native species are successful; first by favouring certain traits in mountain roadsides (the key dispersal pathway to the top), and secondly by requiring a different set of traits when species invade the natural adjacent vegetation.
Abstract: Prevention is regarded as a cost-effective management action to avoid unwanted impacts of non-native species. However, targeted prevention can be difficult if little is known about the traits of successfully invading non-native species or habitat characteristics that make native vegetation more resistant to invasion. Here, we surveyed mountain roads in seven regions worldwide, to investigate whether different species traits are beneficial during primary invasion (i.e. spread of non-native species along roadside dispersal corridors) and secondary invasion (i.e. percolation from roadsides into natural adjacent vegetation), and to determine if particular habitat characteristics increase biotic resistance to invasion. We found primary invasion up mountain roads tends to be by longer lived, non-ruderal species without seed dispersal traits. For secondary invasion, we demonstrate that both traits of the non-native species and attributes of the receiving natural vegetation contribute to the extent of invasion. Non-native species that invade natural adjacent vegetation tend to be shade and moisture tolerant. Furthermore, non-native species invasion was greater when the receiving vegetation was similarly rich in native species. Our results show how mountain roads define which non-native species are successful; first by favouring certain traits in mountain roadsides (the key dispersal pathway to the top), and secondly by requiring a different set of traits when species invade the natural adjacent vegetation. While patterns in species traits were observed at a global level, regional abiotic and biotic variables largely generated region-specific levels of response, suggesting that management should be regionally driven.
TL;DR: Overall, the study shows that past climatic legacy, likely determining acclimation, together with competitive interactions plays a major role in responses to extreme drought, and provides a new approach to standardize the magnitude of climatic variability across populations using SDMs, improving the capacity to predict population's or species' vulnerability to climatic change.
Abstract: Vulnerability to climate change, and particularly to climate extreme events, is expected to vary across species ranges. Thus, we need tools to standardize the variability in regional climatic legacy and extreme climate across populations and species. Extreme climate events (e.g., droughts) can erode populations close to the limits of species' climatic tolerance. Populations in climatic-core locations may also become vulnerable because they have developed a greater demand for resources (i.e., water) that cannot be enough satisfied during the periods of scarcity. These mechanisms can become exacerbated in tree populations when combined with antagonistic biotic interactions, such as insect infestation. We used climatic suitability indices derived from Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to standardize the climatic conditions experienced across Pinus edulis populations in southwestern North America, during a historical period (1972-2000) and during an extreme event (2001-2007), when the compound effect of hot drought and bark beetle infestation caused widespread die-off and mortality. Pinus edulis climatic suitability diminished dramatically during the die-off period, with remarkable variation between years. P. edulis die-off occurred mainly not just in sites that experienced lower climatic suitability during the drought but also where climatic suitability was higher during the historical period. The combined effect of historically high climatic suitability and a marked decrease in the climatic suitability during the drought best explained the range-wide mortality. Lagged effects of climatic suitability loss in previous years and co-occurrence of Juniperus monosperma also explained P. edulis die-off in particular years. Overall, the study shows that past climatic legacy, likely determining acclimation, together with competitive interactions plays a major role in responses to extreme drought. It also provides a new approach to standardize the magnitude of climatic variability across populations using SDMs, improving our capacity to predict population's or species' vulnerability to climatic change.
TL;DR: Loranthaceae, a speciose and ecologically important mistletoe family, is used to obtain new insights into the interrelationships among its hosts and dispersers, during a climatic optimum period that coincides with the dominance of tropical forests in the world.
TL;DR: Tratayenia rosalesi gen. et sp. nov as mentioned in this paper is a new megaraptor theropod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina.
University of Concepción1, University of Rhode Island2, University of Fribourg3, University College London4, Zoological Society of London5, University of Sassari6, University of Toronto7, Université Paris-Saclay8, University of Vienna9, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources10, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg11, Canterbury of New Zealand12, Leibniz Association13, Free University of Berlin14, Rutgers University15, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic16, National University of Comahue17, Landcare Research18, Charles University in Prague19, Stellenbosch University20, University of Tennessee21, Spanish National Research Council22
TL;DR: Biodiversity assessments : origin matters helps clarify the origins of threatened species and improve the ability of scientists to assess their threatened species status.
Abstract: CITATION: Pauchard, A., et al. 2018. Biodiversity assessments : origin matters. PLoS Biology, 16(11):e2006686, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2006686.
TL;DR: Tiribelli et al. as mentioned in this paper presented the work of the Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (IIBM) in Patagonia Norte Argentina.
Abstract: Fil: Tiribelli, Florencia. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that manipulating the chemical environment by adding several amino acid and/or Cl2Ca results in improved antagonistic activity of Vishniacozyma victoriae and Pichia membranifaciens against two postharvest diseases of pear fruits.
TL;DR: The results of this study indicate that a set of dietary changes would significantly contribute to lower GHGE, and Argentina’s NDG should include the environmental impacts of food consumption with the aim of raising consumer awareness.
TL;DR: The promising results suggest their use as a new generation of magnet-responsive easily-recoverable adsorbents for water purification treatments.
TL;DR: Telemetry studies have revealed relevant details of vultures and condors movements, with highly accurate measurements of flight energetics and a better understanding of the morphological, physiological and context-dependent drivers that underlie the movement decisions of these birds, but also detected several information gaps.
Abstract: Telemetry-based movement research has become central for learning about the behavior, ecology and conservation of wide-ranging species Particularly, early telemetry studies were conducted on vultures and condors due to three main reasons: i) these birds capture the curiosity of humans, ii) their large body size allows researchers to deploy large telemetry units, and iii) they are of high conservation concern This has resulted in a great number of scientific articles that remain scattered throughout the literature To achieve a more cohesive view of vultures and condors movement behavior, we review all telemetry studies published up to 2017 We first present a descriptive summary of the technical and design characteristics of these studies (eg target species, tagging location, number of individuals tagged) and go on to discuss them under a common conceptual framework; the Movement Ecology Paradigm The articles found (N = 97) were mainly published in the last decade and based on the tagging of individuals from 14 species (61% of the extant species) and 24 countries Foraging was the most in-depth investigated movement phase (25 studies), with studies covering several species, using both phenomenological and mechanistic approaches and tackling the role of different drivers of movement In contrast, commuting and natal dispersal phases were only superficially investigated (3 and 8 studies, respectively) Finally, studies dealing with the conservation and management also comprised a large portion of the reviewed articles (24 studies) Telemetry studies have revealed relevant details of vultures and condors movements, with highly accurate measurements of flight energetics and a better understanding of the morphological, physiological and context-dependent drivers that underlie the movement decisions of these birds However, we also detected several information gaps We expect this review helps researchers to focus their efforts and funds where more information is needed
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that, after the decrease in marine mammals and the increase in human use of coastlines, condor diet changed to a more terrestrial diet, which in turn influenced their foraging patterns, and this caused dietary and foraging pattern shifts of the Andean condor in Patagonia.
Abstract: Over the last century, marine mammals have been dramatically reduced in the world's oceans. We examined evidence that this change caused dietary and foraging pattern shifts of the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) in Patagonia. We hypothesized that, after the decrease in marine mammals and the increase in human use of coastlines, condor diet changed to a more terrestrial diet, which in turn influenced their foraging patterns. We evaluated the diet by means of stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) of current (last decade) and historical (1841-1933) feathers. We further evaluated the movement patterns of 23 condors using satellite tracking of individuals. Condors reduced their use of marine-derived prey in recent compared with historical times from 33 ± 13% to less than 8 ± 3% respectively; however, they still breed close to the coast. The average distance between the coast and nests was 62.5 km, but some nests were located close to the sea (less than 5 km). Therefore, some birds must travel up to 86 km from nesting sites, crossing over the mountain range to find food. The worldwide reduction in marine mammal carcasses, especially whales, may have major consequences on the foraging ecology of scavengers, as well as on the flux of marine inputs within terrestrial ecosystems.
TL;DR: It is confirmed that this region has the highest isolation success rate for this species described worldwide (more than 10-fold) and hypothesized that marine ingressions and glaciations, which shaped the Patagonian landscape, contributed on population differentiation.
Abstract: Saccharomyces eubayanus is the close relative of the Lager-brewing yeast and was firstly found in North Patagonia associated with Nothofagus trees. In recent years additional strains were found in North America, Asia and New Zealand, and genomic analyses showed the existence of two main populations of this yeast, both of them present in Patagonia. Here, we performed the most comprehensive study of S. eubayanus in Patagonia natural environments (400 samples) and confirmed that this region has the highest isolation success rate for this species described worldwide (more than 10-fold). The genetic characterization of 200 isolates (COX2, DCR1, intFR) revealed five geographically structured subpopulations. We hypothesized that marine ingressions and glaciations, which shaped the Patagonian landscape, contributed on population differentiation. The first large screening of fermentation performance of 60 wild S. eubayanus strains indicated which subpopulations would be more suitable for beer production.
TL;DR: A Mesozoic divergence for the Araucariaceae crown group, previously challenged by molecular divergence estimates, is supported by the combined phylogenetic analyses including the fossil taxa.
Abstract: Premise of the study The fossil record of Agathis historically has been restricted to Australasia. Recently described fossils from the Eocene of Patagonian Argentina showed a broader distribution than found previously, which is reinforced here with a new early Paleocene Agathis species from Patagonia. No previous phylogenetic analyses have included fossil Agathis species. Methods We describe macrofossils from Patagonia of Agathis vegetative and reproductive organs from the early Danian, as well as leaves with Agathis affinities from the latest Maastrichtian. A total evidence phylogenetic analysis is performed, including the new Danian species together with other fossil species having agathioid affinities. Key results Early Danian Agathis immortalis sp. nov. is the oldest definite occurrence of Agathis and one of the most complete Agathis species in the fossil record. Leafy twigs, leaves, pollen cones, pollen, ovuliferous complexes, and seeds show features that are extremely similar to the living genus. Dilwynites pollen grains, associated today with both Wollemia and Agathis and known since the Turonian, were found in situ within the pollen cones. Conclusions Agathis was present in Patagonia ca. 2 million years after the K-Pg boundary, and the putative latest Cretaceous fossils suggest that the genus survived the K-Pg extinction. Agathis immortalis sp nov. is recovered in a stem position for the genus, while A. zamunerae (Eocene, Patagonia) is recovered as part of the crown. A Mesozoic divergence for the Araucariaceae crown group, previously challenged by molecular divergence estimates, is supported by the combined phylogenetic analyses including the fossil taxa.
TL;DR: In January, the latest and most shocking known poisoning incident in South America took place in Bolivia.
Abstract: Despite global conservation crises, widespread and poorly regulated toxic pesticides still cause preventable tragedies. Carbofuran, a carbamate pesticide, is the most implicated globally ([ 1 ][1]). In January, the latest and most shocking known poisoning incident in South America took place in
TL;DR: The results highlight that changes in plant ontogeny most strongly influence early herbivore instars, emphasizing the need to consider the developmental stage of both trophic levels to better understand temporal variation in herbivores’ damage.
Abstract: The amount of damage that herbivorous insects impose on plants varies as a function of plant ontogenetic trajectories in tissue quality and defenses, and the herbivores’ own developmental trajectories in body size, mandible shape and detoxification enzymes, among others. However, little is known about how host plant and herbivore ontogeny interact. Using four ontogenetic stages of Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and three to five larval stages of the specialist caterpillar Junonia coenia (Nymphalidae), we evaluated how ontogenies in both of these trophic levels shape: (i) caterpillar feeding choice, (ii) performance, and (iii) sequestration of plant allelochemicals. Plant physical (leaf toughness) and chemical (iridoid glycosides) defenses increased, while nutritional quality (water and nitrogen content) decreased, as plants aged. These plant ontogenetic trajectories strongly altered the behavior and physiology of this specialist herbivore, but the magnitude of the response varied with larval stage. In feeding experiments, while first instar larvae showed little preference among plant stages, older larvae significantly preferred juvenile over reproductive stages. In turn, larval consumption increased and digestive efficiency decreased, potentially explaining their decrease in relative growth rate, as larvae and host plant aged, but differences were greater for younger than older caterpillars. Finally, sequestration of plant allelochemicals increased through plant and larval development; however, the major differences due to diet occurred earlier during larval development. Our results highlight that changes in plant ontogeny most strongly influence early herbivore instars, emphasizing the need to consider the developmental stage of both trophic levels to better understand temporal variation in herbivore damage.
TL;DR: It is found that the large differences on yields, GHGs and energy efficiencies between agronomic regions for soybean and maize crop production are mainly driven by climate, particularly mean annual precipitation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the available evidence for positive, negative and neutral effects of cattle grazing on forest and woody ecosystems of southern South America and found that negative effects were mostly informed for vegetation variables and mainly occur in Patagonian forest and Chaco; positive effects (~ 16%) were mainly informed for Monte (no particular variable associated), while neutral effects (~´18%) were mostlyinformed for fauna-related variables and Uruguayan savanna.
Abstract: There is a long lasting debate on the effects of domestic cattle grazing on natural ecosystems worldwide. Cattle are generally assumed to have negative effects on forest conservation; however, several studies also report positive and neutral effects. We aimed to investigate the available evidence for positive, negative and neutral effects of cattle grazing on forest and woody ecosystems of southern South America. We conducted a peer-review literature search using the ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases to identify studies dealing with cattle impacts for nature conservation. We compiled a database of 211 cases from 126 original publications. A reduced number of forest ecosystems (Patagonian forest, Chaco and Monte) concentrated ~ 85% of the reported study cases. The hierarchical cluster analysis to group cases based on cattle effects, ecological variables and ecosystems reported that negative effects (~ 66% of cases) were mostly informed for vegetation variables and mainly occur in Patagonian forest and Chaco; positive effects (~ 16%) were mostly informed for Monte (no particular variable associated), while neutral effects (~ 18%) were mostly informed for fauna-related variables and Uruguayan savanna. Our study suggests that grazing effects by cattle on southern South America forests are not homogeneous and depend on the particular forest ecosystem considered as well as on the forest attribute measured. Different cattle effects found can be partially explained by differences in grazing history and different ecosystems productivity. It is vital to improve our understanding of cattle–forest interactions to guide synergies between sustainable management and forest conservation.
TL;DR: The aims of this work were the recovery of bioactive compounds from the remaining solid after processing blackcurrant juice and to obtain spray-dried powders from the blackcurrants juice and extracts and to select the more suitable solvent.
Abstract: Blackcurrants contain high levels of polyphenolics, particularly flavonols and anthocyanins, which contribute to their high antioxidant activity. The aims of this work were the recovery of bioactive compounds from the remaining solid (waste) after processing blackcurrant juice and to obtain spray-dried powders from the blackcurrant juice and extracts. The extraction of bioactive compounds from the fruit pulp was performed by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Experiments were conducted to select the more suitable solvent, and citric acid was chosen. Then, to optimize the extraction conditions (time, solvent concentration, and amplitude) an experimental design using a Box-Behnken Design was done. Comparing the optimized extract with the fruit, 31% total monomeric anthocyanins, 19% total phenolic compounds, and 10% antioxidant capacity were obtained. The optimized extract and the juice were mixed and spray dried, using maltodextrin as carrier matrix. A blackcurrant powder with low hygroscopicity 14.46 ± 0.13 (g a.w./100 g d.m) and high solubility 94.25 ± 4% was obtained. High concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity was recorded: Total monomeric anthocyanins 63.01 ± 1 (mg cyn-3-glu/100 g.d.m), total phenolic content 116.87 ± 5 (mg gallic acid/100 g d.m.), and antioxidant capacity 144.40 ± 0.11 (mg eq Trolox/100 g.d.m.).
TL;DR: The discovery of extinct genus of crown-group Cunoniaceae is recognized and placed along the stem lineage leading to Schizomerieae demonstrates that the family survived the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary event in Patagonia and that diversification of extant lineages in the family was under way by the earliest Cenozoic.