The State of Knowledge of CCA Diversity in the Caribbean Coral Reefs

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a diverse and ecologically important species found in most of the world’s oceans. The current lack of taxonomic knowledge and relative abundance compromises our ability to predict species diversity numbers and, thus, their ecological roles and impacts on coral reefs. To gather a better understanding of the state of knowledge of crustose coralline algae taxonomy in the Caribbean, 107 different research papers, and other primary and secondary literature were studied; any source with taxonomical information, species identification, or genetic markers for identification was recorded. All Genebank codes were collected and sorted by supposed species marker and then ran through the National Center of Biotechnology Information. The location these genetic markers were gathered from was compared to the natural habitat range of the species, based on the Algaebank habitat description. Of the supposed 83 described species of crustose algae in the Caribbean, based on morphological characteristics, only 24 total were confirmed by DNA markers. This leaves at least 59 species of CCA to be confirmed in the Caribbean Sea with molecular markers. This indicates the importance of DNA barcode survey studies to assess the accurate diversity of this group in the region. With this limited knowledge apparent, it should be seen that a CCAs phylogenetic and taxonomical review must be done. An in-depth assessment should be conducted on CCA collections to identify the Caribbean species correctly and thus know their biodiversity in local habitats

Effects of Multiple Ecological Drivers on Recruitment and Succession of Coral Reef Macroalgal Communities

The study evaluated the effects of herbivory pressure, nutrient availability and potential propagule supply on recruitment and succession of coral reef macroalgal communities. Recruitment and succession tiles were placed in a nutrient-herbivory factorial experiment and macroalgal abundances were evaluated through time. Proportional abundances of macroalgal form-functional groups on recruitment and succession tiles were similar to field established communities within treatments, evidencing possible effects of adult macroalgae as propagule supply. Macroalgal abundance of recruitment tiles increased with nutrient loading and herbivory reduction combined whereas on succession tiles nutrient loading increased abundance of articulated-calcareous only when herbivores were excluded. Macroalgal field established communities were only affected by herbivory reduction

Implications of Microplastic Pollution for the Conservation of Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) function as a tool for the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems. These designated areas should be free of any environmentally harmful pollutants. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments measuring less than 5 mm (about 0.2 in). These fragments are an emerging threat to our oceans, and we are investigating the effectiveness of MPAs against these pollutants. We analyzed data gathered from research conducted on microplastic concentrations in MPAs and non-MPAs around the world. 53 MPAs and 53 non-MPAs around the world were used and the microplastic concentrations were deemed low, medium, or high by using the classifications established by the researchers. The Marine Protection Atlas (MPATLAS), created by the Marine Conservation Institute, was used to identify the levels of protection of each MPA and confirm the size of the protected area. The population density of cities nearest to an MPA or non-MPA was obtained by dividing the city’s population by the total area. Microplastics were found in all 106 sites researched, including waters near Antarctica and the northern waters of Greenland. When compared to non-MPAs, MPAs showed a higher number of areas with a “high” or “medium” concentration of microplastics. This indicates that Marine Protected Areas are an inefficient conservation tool against microplastic pollution. Population density did not appear to have a relationship with microplastic concentrations in MPAs and non-MPAs. The prominence of microplastics in protected marine ecosystems highlights the urgency to uncover their effects and a way to combat these anthropogenic pollutants

Interactive effects of herbivory and substrate orientation on algal community dynamics on a coral reef

Herbivory is a significant driver of algal community dynamics on coral reefs. However, abiotic factors such as the complexity and orientation of the benthos often mediate the impact of herbivores on benthic communities. We experimentally evaluated the independent and interactive effects of substrate orientation and herbivorous fishes on algal community dynamics on a coral reef in the Florida Keys, USA. We created horizontal and vertical substrates, mimicking the trend in the reduction of vertical surfaces of coral reefs, to assess how algal communities developed either with herbivory (open areas) or without herbivory (herbivore exclosures). We found that substrate orientation was the dominant influence on macroalgal community composition. Herbivores had little impact on community development of vertical substrates as crustose algae dominated these substrates regardless of being in exclosures or open areas. In contrast, herbivores strongly impacted communities on horizontal substrates, with upright macroalgae (e.g., Dictyota spp., articulated coralline algae) dominating herbivore exclosures, while filamentous turf algae and sediment dominated open areas. Outside of exclosures, differences between vertical and horizontal substrates exposed to herbivores persisted despite similar intensity of herbivory. Our results suggest that the orientation of the reef benthos has an important impact on benthic communities. On vertical surfaces, abiotic factors may be more important for structuring algal communities while herbivory may be more important for controlling algal dynamics in flatter areas. Thus, the decline in structural complexity of Caribbean coral reefs and the flattening of reef substrates may fundamentally alter the impact that herbivores have on benthic community dynamics

Fishing, pollution, climate change, and the long-term decline of coral reefs off Havana, Cuba

Understanding temporal and spatial variation of coral reef communities allows us to analyze the relative effects of local stressors, such as fishing and eutrophication, and global stressors, such as ocean warming. To test for spatial and temporal changes in coral reef communities, we combined recent benthic and fish surveys from 2016 with long-term data, dating back to the late 1990s, from four zones located at different distances from Central Havana, Cuba’s largest population center. These changes may indicate the shifting importance of local vs global stressors affecting reef communities. Regardless of the distance from Havana, we found that coral cover was uniformly low (approximately 10%), whereas macroalgal abundance was often high (approximately 65%). Similarly, fish biomass was low across zones, particularly for herbivorous fishes (approximately 12 g m−2) that are critical ecological drivers of reef structure and coral resilience. Analyses of longer-term trends revealed that coral cover near Havana has been below about 10% since at least 1995, potentially because of local stressors. In contrast, reefs farther from Havana maintained relatively high coral cover (approximately 30%) until the early 2000s, but declined more recently to approximately 15%, putting them near the Caribbean-wide average. These distinct spatial and temporal trajectories of reef communities may be the result of the expansion of local stressors away from Havana as the human population increased, or as fishers ventured farther away to exploit new resources. Alternatively, the more recent decline of reefs farther from population centers may have resulted from increasingly frequent global stressors, such as bleaching events and hurricanes

Seasonal Recruitment and Survival Strategies of Palisada Cervicornis Comb. Nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in Coral Reefs

As marine tropical ecosystems deteriorate and lose biodiversity, their communities are shifting to dominance of a few species, altering ecosystem’s functioning and services. Macroalgae are are becoming dominant on coral reefs, and frequently observed outcompeting corals. Turf algal assemblages are the base of energy flow in these systems and one of the most abundant types of macroalgae on coral reefs, but little is known about their biology and diversity. Through molecular and morphological analyses, we established the proper identity of the turf-forming species Laurencia cervicornis, and by studying seasonal recruitment and the impact of herbivorous fishes on its abundance, we describe its survival strategy. The molecular analyses using a total of 45 rbcL gene sequences including eight current genera within the Laurencia complex and two new sequences of L. cervicornis, strongly support the new combination of Palisada cervicornis comb. nov. In addition, a detailed morphological characterization including the description of reproductive structures, is provided. P. cervicornis was seen recruiting in all seasons but was typically in low abundance. Specimens grown on tiles in fish exclosure cages were devoured in less than 4 hours when offered to fishes. Even though many species of the Laurencia complex have chemicals that deter herbivory, species within the genus Palisada lack feeding deterrents and are highly palatable. We suggest that P. cervicornis is a palatable species that seems to survive in the community by obtaining a size-refuge from herbivory within turf communities.

A DNA barcode approach of the Laurencia complex (Ceramiales, Rodophyta) in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic ocean

10th International Phycological Congress, Orlando, Florida, USA, 4-10 de agosto 2013.The diversity of the Laurencia complex is being assessed in tropical and subtropical Atlantic by an international cooperation project involving Brazil, Mexico, Spain (Canary Islands), Portugal (Azores and Madeira) and USA (Florida) on the base of molecular data allied to a detailed morphological study of species. The diversity of the complex was analyzed for the first time for the Atlantic Ocean, including specimens from all five localities, using the plastid 23S rRNA gene (UPA) which has been investigated as potential DNA Barcode marker for photosynthetic eukaryotes. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI-5P) was also used as DNA barcode for the same set of species, and the rbcL gene was used for phylogenetic inferences. The range of genetic variation was compared for the three markers. The UPA proved to be more conserved; however, the same genetic groups were resolved with each of the three markers confirming the six genera currently established for the complex: Chondrophycus, Laurencia, Laurenciella, Palisada, Osmundea and Yuzurua

Business consulting report de Coopac Kori

Coopac Kori es una cooperativa inclusiva y humana, enfocada en el crecimiento financiero de las personas, especializada en ofrecer servicios financieros para la micro y pequeña empresa. Coopac Kori busca el progreso de mujeres emprendedoras impulsando la inclusión financiera a todo nivel fomentando la educación financiera y la cultura del ahorro. A través de los recursos asimilados del presente MBA, identificamos el problema actual de muchas mujeres del segmento D y E que numerosas veces no acceden a servicios financieros por diferentes razones como la falta de información, temor a la formalidad, no son aceptadas en las principales entidades financieras, temor a la banca, entre otras. Es así que ven truncos sus deseos de crecimiento personal y profesional los cuales son principalmente emprendimientos. Mediante esta consultoría plantearemos posibles soluciones para este problema. Identificaremos el problema raíz, mediante un análisis del contexto interno como externo. Es aquí donde plantearemos posibles soluciones al problema para después plasmarla en un plan de implementación que cubra los resultados que esperamos. En tal sentido el desarrollo de solución al problema planteado tiene que estar alineado a tres factores fundamentales: sostenible, escalable y exponencial. En conjunto deberá estar alineado a la propuesta de valor y modelo de negocio propuesto.Coopac Kori is an inclusive and humane cooperative, focused on the financial growth of people by offering financial aid services for micro and small businesses. Coopac Kori seeks the progress of female entrepreneurs by promoting financial inclusion at all levels, developing financial education and encouraging money savings habits. Using the resources learned in this MBA, we have identified the current problem of many women in segments D and E who often do not have access to financial services due to multiple reasons such as lack of information, fear of formality, and the fact they will not be accepted in the main financial institutions among others reasons. Thus, they see their personal and professional growth goals will be truncated, through this project we will propose possible solutions to this problem. We will identify the root cause of this problem, through an analysis of both internal and external contexts. Thereafter, we will propose possible solutions to this problem and then translate it into an implementation plan that covers the results we expect. In this sense, the development of a solution to the problem, raised above, must be aligned with three fundamental factors: sustainability, scalability and, exponentiality. Overall, this must be aligned with the proposed value proposition and business model

Search for Charginos with a Small Mass Difference with the Lightest Supersymmetric Particle at \sqrt{s} = 189 GeV

A search for charginos nearly mass-degenerate with the lightest supersymmetric particle is performed using the 176 pb^-1 of data collected at 189 GeV in 1998 with the L3 detector. Mass differences between the chargino and the lightest supersymmetric particle below 4 GeV are considered. The presence of a high transverse momentum photon is required to single out the signal from the photon-photon interaction background. No evidence for charginos is found and upper limits on the cross section for chargino pair production are set. For the first time, in the case of heavy scalar leptons, chargino mass limits are obtained for any \tilde{\chi}^{+-}_1 - \tilde{\chi}^0_1 mass difference

Search for Low Scale Gravity Effects in e+e- Collisions at LEP

Recent theories propose that quantum gravity effects may be observable at LEP energies via gravitons that couple to Standard Model particles and propagate into extra spatial dimensions. The associated production of a graviton and a photon is searched for as well as the effects of virtual graviton exchange in the processes: e+e- -> gamma gamma, ZZ, WW, mu mu, tau tau, qq and ee No evidence for this new interaction is found in the data sample collected by the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies up to 183 GeV. Limits close to 1 TeV on the scale of this new scenario of quantum gravity are set