Social preferences for ecosystem services in a biodiversity hotspot in South America

Identifying which ecosystem services are relevant to different stakeholders and understanding stakeholders’ perceptions of such services is useful for making informed decisions, especially in regions of the world where the achievement of biodiversity conservation goals is threatened by economically productive activities. In this article, we assess social preferences for ecosystem services in a biodiversity hotspot in central Chile. We use a consultative case study to ask local stakeholders (n = 70) from the Campana Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve to identify the most important ecosystem services the area provides for them and inquire about the perceived vulnerability of the services to changes in the future. We also explore the association between the perceived importance of ecosystem services and the sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of the respondents, which allows us to identify contrasting stakeholder perceptions of different ecosystem services. The most important services for local actors were the drinking water, fresh air and climate change control, genetic pool of plant communities in central Chile, and educational value. From the perspective of local actors, the services that could be threatened by negative changes in the future in terms of their provision included the possibilities of developing conservation activities focused on iconic threatened animal and plant species, water regulation, food from agriculture, and drinking water. Contrasting perceptions about the importance of ecosystem services emerged among stakeholders. While small farmers and members of local organizations attributed higher importance values to provisioning services, scientists and rangers and administrators of protected areas as well as teachers, NGO members and local government employees attributed more importance to the regulating and cultural services associated with threatened species. Our results can serve as a source of information for the planning and decision-making processes related to the search for socially and ecologically sustainable solutions for land use managemen

Conservation of the critically endangered frog Telmatobufo bullocki in fragmented temperate forests of Chile : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Amphibians are currently facing several threats and are suffering severe population declines and extinction worldwide. Telmatobufo bullocki (Anura: Calyptocephalellidae) is one of the rarest and most endangered amphibian species in Chile's temperate forests. It is the fifth most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered (EDGE) amphibian in the world, and one of the world's top 100 priority species for conservation (Zoological Society of London, 2011).This stream-breeding frog is micro-endemic to the coastal Nahuelbuta mountain range in central-south Chile (37°C - 38°50' S), a hot-spot for conservation. This area has suffered severe loss and fragmentation of native forest, which has been replaced by extensive commercial plantations of exotic pines and eucalyptus. Despite its potential detrimental effects, the impact of native forest loss on this species has not been studied before. Furthermore, few historical observations exist, and the ecology and behaviour of the species is poorly known. In addition, current status and location of extant populations are uncertain, which makes conservation and targeted habitat protection difficult. Through the use of different approaches and modern conservation tools this thesis aims to make a significant contribution to the conservation of T.bullocki and its habitat. Historical and new locations were surveyed to identify extant populations. A distribution modeling approach (i.e. Maxent) was used to infer the species’ distribution within Nahuelbuta, generate a predictive habitat suitability map, identify important environmental associations, and assess the impact of main environmental threats (i.e. native forest loss, climate change).Field-based research (e.g. surveys, radio-tracking) was done to extend the ecological and behavioural knowledge of the species (e.g. movement patterns and habitat use), and identify critical aquatic and terrestrial habitat for protection (i.e. core habitat). Mitochondrial and specifically developed microsatellite genetic markers were used to measure levels of intra-specific genetic variability, define genetic population structure and connectivity, infer evolutionary history (phylogeography), estimate effective population size and detect demographic changes (e.g. bottlenecks). Finally, a landscape genetics approach was used to relate landscape characteristics to contemporary patterns of gene flow, and identify important landscape features facilitating (i.e. corridors) or hindering (i.e. barriers) genetic connectivity between populations. Telmatobufo bullocki was found in nine basins within Nahuelbuta, including historic and new locations. Presence of T. bullocki was positively related to the amount of native forests in the landscape. However, some populations persist in areas dominated by exotic plantations. Some frogs were found living under mature pine plantation adjacent to native forest, but no frogs were found in core plantation areas.T. bullocki makes extensive use of terrestrial habitat adjacent to breeding streams during the post-breeding season, moving up to 500 m away from streams. A core terrestrial habitat of at least 220 m from streams is proposed for the protection of populations. Population genetics and phylogeography revealed significant population structure. The northernmost and disjunct population of Chivilingo is geographically and genetically isolated from all other sampled populations and was identified as a separate evolutionary significant unit (ESU). The population of Los Lleulles was also identified as a separate management unit, while the remaining populations were grouped into two clusters forming a larger and more connected metaC population. Connectivity within groups was high, suggesting individuals are able to disperse between neighbouring basins. Levels of genetic diversity were not homogeneous, and were lowest at Los Lleulles and highest at Caramávida. Results suggest disjunct populations are at highest risk and should be prioritised for restoration and habitat protection, while management of metaCpopulations should aim at maintaining and improving connectivity among basins. Landscape genetic results identified streams and riparian habitat as dispersal pathways, and least-cost-path analysis was used to identify a potential connectivity network

Rapa Nui (Easter Island)’s Stone Worlds

This article explores the spatial, architectural and conceptual relationships between landscape places, stone quarrying, and stone moving and building during Rapa Nui’s statue-building period. These are central themes of the ‘Rapa Nui Landscapes of Construction Project’ and are discussed using aspects of the findings of our recent fieldwork. The different scales of expression, from the detail of the domestic sphere to the monumental working of quarries, are considered. It is suggested that the impressiveness of Rapa Nui’s stone architecture is its conceptual coherence at the small scale as much as at the large scale

Analisis del sistema de control de gestión de Conaf.

94 p.Este estudio de carácter principalmente exploratorio denominado “Análisis del Sistema de Control de Gestión de CONAF” tiene como objetivo examinar el grado de desarrollo que ha alcanzado esta herramienta en la institución. Siendo CONAF una Corporación de derecho privado, ejerce funciones públicas relevantes para la comunidad y que dicen relación con la conservación y preservación de los recursos naturales del país. Para cumplir satisfactoriamente con esta demanda ciudadana requiere un estilo de gestión moderno, por lo tanto la institución necesita de un Sistema de Control de Gestión (SCG) plenamente desarrollado que le permita implantar con éxito su estrategia y de esta forma dar respuesta oportuna a sus grupos de interés. El presente estudio se abordó mediante la formulación de un modelo de Control de Gestión, que fue elaborado en base a la revisión de la literatura existente respecto del tema, este modelo sirvió de referencia para evaluar el grado de desarrollo de los omponentes del Sistema de Control de Gestión de CONAF; para ello se analizó la documentación institucional interna relativa a esta materia, la que se complementó con una encuesta de opinión dirigida a los directores regionales por ser los responsables de la ejecución de los principales programas a través de los cuales CONAF operativiza sus objetivos institucionales. Como resultado del proceso de análisis y revisión de la situación actual del Sistema de Control de Gestión de CONAF, queda de manifiesto los esfuerzos y los recursos asignados por la Corporación en el desarrollo e implementación de herramientas de gestión que le permitan implantar con éxito su estrategia. La Corporación Nacional Forestal ha desarrollado con distintos grados de profundidad los cuatro elementos que contiene el modelo de Control de Gestión propuesto. Primero, cuenta con un Plan Estratégico cuya última actualización se realizó el año 2004, segundo, tiene definida una estructura organizacional derivada de este Plan estratégico, tercero, dispone de sistemas de información escasamente integrados y cuarto, tiene una política de recursos humanos que ha sido reforzada mediante la promulgación de la nueva Ley de Trato Laboral incorporada en el proceso de modernización del Estad

Estudio de costos de establecimiento de plantaciones forestales atingente al D.L. 701 y su modificacion en la Ley 19.561

117 p.La presente memoria realiza la estimación de los costos de establecimiento de plantaciones forestales con los mejores estándares disponibles, para las especies Atriplex nummularia, Eucalyptus globulus, Nothofagus alpina (rauli) y Pinus radiata. El estudio considera dos tamaños de propiedad (5 y 70 ha) y abarca 6 de las macro zonas indicadas en la tabla de costos publicada anualmente por CONAF. En forma paralela se desarrolla la estimación de los costos de la construcción del cerco de la superficie a plantar para cada situación y se establece una comparación con los costos publicados por el D.L. 701 para cada especie según macro zona y situación respectiva. Los costos establecidos en el estudio, en general superan a los valores señalados en la tabla de Costos de CONAF

China Muerta National Reserve: Reflections about the biocultural conservation of nature, forest fires and the colonial wound in indigenous territories

Se presentan los principales resultados de una investigación de carácter exploratorio realizada en torno al incendio de la Reserva Nacional China Muerta (Región de La Araucanía), ocurrido en el año 2015. Empleándose un diseño metodológico cualitativo y un enfoque etnográfico, fue posible identificar distintos actores sociales relacionados con la reserva, y a través de sus discursos aproximarse a las memorias, significados y prácticas que les vinculan a esta área silvestre protegida y sus visiones en torno al incendio como desastre. Se identificaron dos principales dimensiones en dicha vinculación: la noción del uso material de sus recursos naturales y la relación simbólica-espiritual con el territorio que constituye. Los resultados dan cuenta de cómo el incendio fue un escenario que visibilizó la diversidad sociocultural de un territorio, involucrando distintas subjetividades en la comprensión de este desastre socionatural y del propio territorio; a través de los mecanismos de participación, acción y contención del incendio, como también a través del cuestionamiento acerca del futuro del territorio y del nombre de la Reserva “China Muerta”, el cual, a nuestro juicio, devela una herida colonial que continúa hasta nuestros días. Finalmente más que conclusiones y a modo de apertura para futuras investigaciones, se propone indagar acerca de qué modo las expresiones culturales presentes en territorios donde conviven poblaciones humanas y hábitats protegidos, contribuyen a poner en valor la relación naturaleza–cultura, ampliando la dimensión de patrimonio natural a la noción de patrimonio bioculturalThis paper presents the main results of an exploratory qualitative study, about the China Muerta National Reserve's forest fire (La Araucanía Region), which occurred in February 2015. Through a qualitative methodological design and an ethnographic approach, it was possible to identify different social actors associated to the reserve, and to approach the memories meanings and practices that link them to this protected wild area and their visions about the forest fire as a disaster, through their discourses. Two main dimensions were identified in this connection: the notion of the material use of its natural resources and the symbolic-spiritual relationship with the territory it constitutes. The results show how the fire was a scenario that made the sociocultural diversity of a territory visible, involving different subjectivities in the understanding of this socio-natural disaster and of the territory itself; through the mechanisms of participation, action and containment of the fire, as well as through the questioning about the future of the territory and the name of the reserve, China Muerta (Dead China), which, in our opinion, reveals a colonial wound that remains open. Finally, more than conclusions and as an opening for future research, this paper proposes to investigate how cultural expressions present in territories where human populations and protected habitats coexist, contribute to value the nature-culture relationship, expanding the dimension of natural heritage to the notion of biocultural heritag

Estresse oxidativo em grãos de feijão carioca recém-colhidos.

Esse estudo objetivou avaliar o nível de estresse oxidativo em grãos de feijão carioca, recém-colhidos, por meio da determinação da atividade da superóxido dismutase, teor de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e nível de peroxidação de lipídeos (dano de membrana).CONAF