Ökosystemrenaturierung und nachhaltiges Management von Flüssen und Feuchtgebieten – Einführung in den Sonderband

The restoration of ecosystems has become a major challenge throughout the world in the 21st century (see comprehensive surveys from, e. g. Temperton et al. 2004, van Andel & Aronson 2006, Walker et al. 2007, and Zerbe & Wiegleb 2009). Due to non-sustainable land use and inefficient use of natural resources, many ecosystems have been degraded or completely destroyed. Consequently, the functioning of ecosystems has been severely affected and many ecosystem services have been lost

Ökologische Bewertung von Bächen auf La Gomera und Teneriffa (Spanien) – ein methodischer Ansatz zur Einschätzung von Renaturierungsmaßnahmen bei der Umsetzung der EU-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie

In recent decades, the number of streams on the Canary Islands has decreased dramatically due to the non-sustainable consumption of water for agriculture and tourism. Natural reaches of streams with an endemic macroinvertebrate fauna do, however, still exist in protected areas of Tenerife and La Gomera. Those reaches serve as a reference to develop an assessment method for streams on islands. This method takes into account common parameters such as water quality and hydromorphology, while emphasizing biodiversity and endemism. The latter concepts as they relate to stream conservation are important in both nature conservation and protection of species as many endemic aquatic organisms are endangered.In den letzten Jahrzehnten ist die Zahl der Fließgewässer auf den Kanarischen Inseln drastisch zurückgegangen. Ursache dafür ist eine sehr hohe Wasserentnahme für Landwirtschaft und Tourismus, die das nachhaltig nutzbare Dargebot bei weitem überschreitet. Dennoch existieren in besonders geschützten Bereichen der Inseln Teneriffa und La Gomera noch naturnahe Abschnitte von Fließgewässern mit Elementen endemischer Makroinvertebraten-Fauna. Diese Abschnitte dienen als Referenzgewässer für die Entwicklung eines spezifischen Bewertungssystems für Fließgewässer auf Inseln. Dieses System berücksichtigt die üblichen Qualitätsparameter wie Wassergüte und Hydromorphologie, hebt aber die Biodiversität und den inseltypischen Endemismus besonders hervor. Die daraus resultierenden Gewässerentwicklungskonzepte stellen ein entscheidendes Instrument des Natur- und Artenschutzes dar, da viele der endemischen Gewässerorganismen vom Aussterben bedroht sind

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Species turnover during secondary succession in a laurel forest stand 60 years after clearcutting

Aim of study: The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of clearcutting and recovery of a laurel forest stand, 50 years after felling.Area of study: Laurel forest stand in Agua García, Tenerife (Canary Islands)Material and methods: Structural stand parameters were measured in a large patch of laurel forest.Main results: The results revealed that Erica arborea and Ilex canariensis have acted as pioneer species in the broad sense of the term, while Morella faya has remained abundant throughout the study. Persea indica became increasingly dominant throughout succession, as indicated by several different structural parameters.Research highlights: Recovery of the laurel forest after clearcutting has been possible in some areas without any further forest management, as indicated by the species composition and forest structure.Key words: Canary Islands; Ecological Restoration; Laurel forest; Succession

Regeneración en zonas potenciales de laurisilva bajo una bóveda nativa vs. bóveda de exóticas, Tenerife (Islas Canarias)

Exotic tree monocultures adversely affect native ecosystems through competition and alteration of nutrient availability and dynamics. However, there is evidence of some tree plantations facilitating a more rapid recovery of the native plant communities by providing shelter-wood for the plants below and attracting seed dispersers. The results either way are specific to the plantation species and to the native forest type. In this study we analysed the differences in regeneration of native woody species in two stands of exotic species, Pinus radiata and Eucaliptus globulus, occupying native laurel forest ground, and also examined the regeneration in adjacent native forest stands to reveal if the effects of the exotic plants are negatively affecting the recovery of the native plant community. The native stands differed from the exotic stands in tree species richness, basal area and density. However, regeneration was very similar between alien and native stands, and advanced regeneration can be inferred from the results. Differences were quantitatively important, but species composition of the regenerating community was similar. Also, these planted areas have recovered their canopy very fast as long as P. radiata and E. globulus have rapid growth in comparison with native laurel forest species. These rapid recover of the canopy has prevented deeper erosion damage and has to some extent facilitated the regeneration of native species. The results indicate that a progressive elimination of the exotic stands would favor the establishment and growth of native species. The role of some exotic tree species in the restoration of laurel forest areas should not be systematically regarded as negative.Los monocultivos de especies exóticas afectan a los ecosistemas nativos a través de la competencia con especies nativas y alteración de la disponibilidad de nutrientes. Sin embargo, existen evidencias de que las plantaciones de exóticas pueden facilitar la recuperación de las comunidades de plantas nativas proveyendo de una protección de estas especies y atrayendo los dispersores de semillas. En cualquier caso los resultados son específicos de cada plantación y de la especie exótica utilizada. En este estudio se analizan las diferencias de regeneración de especies leñosas en dos formaciones de especies exóticas, Pinus radiata and Eucaliptus globulus, en zonas potenciales de laurisilva y también se examina la regeneración en dos bosques adyacentes de laurisilva y así poder comprar el impacto de las plantaciones de exóticas en la regeneración. La formación de laurisilva se diferencia de las de exótica en riqueza, área basal y densidad. Sin embargo, la composición de la regeneración es muy similar entre las formaciones de nativa y exóticas y se puede inferir una regeneración avanzada de estos resultados. Las diferencias son importantes cuantitativamente pero la composición de especies de la comunidad de plantas regenerando es similar. Las plantaciones han recuperado la bóveda muy rápidamente ya que P. radiata and E. globulus son especies de crecimiento rápido. Esta recuperación rápida de la bóveda ha prevenido los daños erosivos y ha facilitado la regeneración de las especies nativas. Los resultados indican que una progresiva eliminación de la formación de exóticas favorecería el establecimiento y crecimiento de las especies nativas. Las especies exóticas pueden jugar un papel importante en la restauración del bosque de laurel y no siempre tienen que asumirse como elementos negativos

Climatic regeneration niche of an invasive species (Ulex europaeus, L.) assessed by a reciprocal transplant experiment along an altitudinal gradient

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