Integration of Scientific and Local Knowledge in Data-Poor Fisheries Assessments

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) around the world face many challenges. They are a highly dynamic, important sector for coastal communities in developing nations, playing a critical role in poverty alleviation and food security. SSFs generally have few resources to ensure their long-term sustainability. They are often fished and managed locally and may have limited commercial value, primarily providing subsistence for the community. As such, they may be a low priority for national fisheries management. SSFs are about 50% of the world’s fisheries by harvested volume, but in most cases, they are data-poor. To meet these challenges for sustainability, SSFs need access to tools that can help them assess the status of the resource and monitor the specific characteristics of the fishery to evaluate the health and sustainability of local fish stocks. In this research, I integrate the biological and ecological dimensions of small-scale fisheries assessments with the local knowledge of the communities that use the resources. This dissertation is an effort to assess different aspects of data-poor fisheries: the quantity and quality of knowledge of the life-history parameters of the stock, the importance of spatial scale in the stock risk assessments, and the potential for a synergy of scientific data and local knowledge to improve the assessment of coastal fisheries. My first data chapter explores the incorporation of local stock condition information into a risk assessment technique: Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA), an expert opinion-based model that combines information about the productivity of a stock with its susceptibility to fishing activities using a semi-quantitative scoring system. My goal was to assess how spatial scale and incorporation of fishermen’s knowledge affects the vulnerability assessment of data-poor fisheries in Oregon, USA. I gathered local information on nearshore fishes in Oregon and combined biological data for ten nearshore species with information obtained from fishermen. I found some key differences between coastwide vulnerability ratings and those obtained for the same species but in different parts of the Oregon coast, reflecting the influence that local information can have on the results of the model. I found that our results generally matched those generated for a previously published coastwide PSA, but with somewhat lower vulnerability scores provided by the local productivity and susceptibility estimates. PSA can be useful to identify important local differences in stock susceptibility to fishing or other impacts that may be lost when stocks are monitored at the coastwide level. The remainder of my dissertation focuses on SSFs in Colombia. In chapter 3, I present a gap analysis of the life-history parameters of commercially important stocks in the Colombian Pacific. I conducted a literature review of 23 biological and ecological parameters of 37 marine species and found a lack of basic life-history characteristics for the species fished. I found that the species information is scattered throughout the country, only a small amount of information is published in peer-reviewed journals, and a high amount of the research and knowledge available exists in “grey literature”. To offer recommendations for future assessments, we provide a review of data-poor fisheries assessment tools that could be employed with the country data-availability and data-needs for each species. In chapter 4, I introduce a modified Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) that integrates scientific knowledge with information from local fishermen to address the lack of data for Colombian Pacific coastal fisheries. I assessed the vulnerability to overfishing of 15 local stocks and used participatory surveys in 12 fishing communities to elicit local fishermen’s knowledge of susceptibility parameters. My results revealed a general lack of life history data for the species that are necessary to assess the productivity of the stocks. I collected information from 113 fishermen, and increased the number of susceptibility parameters to reflect the local conditions of the study area and scored those based on the information provided. All the species assessed received high susceptibility values, and the PSA prioritized three species as vulnerable to overfishing. Our adaptation of the PSA provides a first attempt to assess and prioritize the data-poor fisheries in the Colombian Pacific, integrating local fishermen knowledge into the risk assessment and making it specific to the conditions of the study area. Our approach allows a comparative evaluation of stocks in a local area when little or no susceptibility information is available, especially in cases in which scientific expertise is difficult or impossible to get

Trait evolution, resource specialization and vulnerability to plant extinctions among Antillean hummingbirds

Species traits are thought to predict feeding specialization and the vulnerability of a species to extinctions of interaction partners, but the context in which a species evolved and currently inhabits may also matter. Notably, the predictive power of traits may require that traits evolved to fit interaction partners. Furthermore, local abiotic and biotic conditions may be important. On islands, for instance, specialized and vulnerable species are predicted to be found mainly in mountains, whereas species in lowlands should be generalized and less vulnerable. We evaluated these predictions for hummingbirds and their nectar-food plants on Antillean islands. Our results suggest that the rates of hummingbird trait divergence were higher among ancestral mainland forms before the colonization of the Antilles. In correspondence with the limited trait evolution that occurred within the Antilles, local abiotic and biotic conditions—not species traits—correlate with hummingbird resource specialization and the vulnerability of hummingbirds to extinctions of their floral resources. Specifically, hummingbirds were more specialized and vulnerable in conditions with high topographical complexity, high rainfall, low temperatures and high floral resource richness, which characterize the Antillean Mountains. These findings show that resource specialization and species vulnerability to extinctions of interaction partners are highly context-dependent.B.D., J.D.K., A.C.B., A.M.M.G. and C.R. thank the Danish National Research Foundation for its support of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (grant no. DNRF96). P.K.M. thanks the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the postdoctoral grant (grant no. 2015/21457-4). B.I.S. was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council as part of the Cambridge Earth System Science NERC DTP (NE/L002507/1)

Synthesis and behavior of novel sulfonated water-soluble N-heterocyclic carbene (η4-diene) platinum(0) complexes

A series of water-soluble (NHC)Pt(0)(dvtms) and (NHC)Pt(0)(AE) complexes containing different sulfonated NHC ligands (dvtms = divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and AE = diallyl ether) are reported. The dvtms compounds have been found to be quite robust and to display some conformational rigidity, whereas their AE counterparts are less stable and more flexible. The catalytic evaluation of these complexes in the hydrosilylation of alkynes in water revealed no benefits in favor of the complexes containing the more labile spectator diene (AE), and a fairly regular catalytic behavior for all complexes that restricts the location of the sulfonate group to the proximity of the metal site.Fil: Ruiz Varilla, Andrea M.. Universidad de Alcala. Facultad de Ciencias; EspañaFil: Baquero, Edwin A.. Universidad de Alcala. Facultad de Ciencias; EspañaFil: Silbestri, Gustavo Fabián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Arellano, Camino. Universidad de Alcala. Facultad de Ciencias; EspañaFil: de Jesús, Ernesto. Universidad de Alcala. Facultad de Ciencias; EspañaFil: Flores, Juan C.. Universidad de Alcala. Facultad de Ciencias; Españ

Biodiversity conservation: local and global consequences of the application of “rights of nature” by Ecuador

In 2008, Ecuador recognized the Constitutional Rights of Nature in a global first. This recognition implies a major shift in the human-nature relationship, from one between a subject with agency (humans) and an exploitable object (nature), to a more equilibrated relationship. However, the lack of a standard legal framework has left room for subjective interpretations and variable implementation. The recent widespread concessioning of pristine ecosystems to mining industries has set up an unprecedented conflict and test of these rights. Currently, a landmark case involving Los Cedros Protected Forest and mining companies has reached the Constitutional Court of Ecuador. If Ecuador’s highest Court rules in favor of Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, it would set a legal precedent with enormous impact on biological conservation. Such a policy shift offers a novel conservation strategy, through citizen oversight and action. A ruling against Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, while a major setback for biodiversity conservation, would be taken in stride by the active social movement supporting these goals, with the case likely moving into international courts. Meanwhile, extractive activities would continue and expand, with known consequences for biodiversity

Performance and Operation of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The operation and general performance of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter using cosmic-ray muons are described. These muons were recorded after the closure of the CMS detector in late 2008. The calorimeter is made of lead tungstate crystals and the overall status of the 75848 channels corresponding to the barrel and endcap detectors is reported. The stability of crucial operational parameters, such as high voltage, temperature and electronic noise, is summarised and the performance of the light monitoring system is presented

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

Documento en extenso que incluye los resultados de la revisión de información secundaria y la obtenida en el taller con actores regionales, con la identificación de vacíos de información y prioridades de investigación y monitoreo en la cuenca del rió claro

En el marco del convenio de cooperación técnica y científica No. 19-100, celebrado entre la Fundación Grupo Argos y el Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, con el objeto de aunar esfuerzos administrativos, técnicos, financieros y de gestión para la generación de conocimiento útil en escenarios de evaluación y manejo integral de impactos sobre la biodiversidad, desde una mirada ecosistémica integral del territorio de la cuenca del río Claro (Antioquia) en los múltiples contextos socioecológicos, se ha comprometido la construcción de la línea base de información secundaria disponible sobre biodiversidad para la cuenca del río Claro, Antioquia, que incluya, entre otros, datos sobre ecología, genética, uso, conservación, distribución, uso de hábitat, impactos e información espacial, procesos ecológicos.BogotáCiencias Básicas de la Biodiversida

Calibration of the CMS Drift Tube Chambers and Measurement of the Drift Velocity with Cosmic Rays

Peer reviewe

Commissioning and performance of the CMS silicon strip tracker with cosmic ray muons

This is the Pre-print version of the Article. The official published version of the Paper can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 IOPDuring autumn 2008, the Silicon Strip Tracker was operated with the full CMS experiment in a comprehensive test, in the presence of the 3.8 T magnetic field produced by the CMS superconducting solenoid. Cosmic ray muons were detected in the muon chambers and used to trigger the readout of all CMS sub-detectors. About 15 million events with a muon in the tracker were collected. The efficiency of hit and track reconstruction were measured to be higher than 99% and consistent with expectations from Monte Carlo simulation. This article details the commissioning and performance of the Silicon Strip Tracker with cosmic ray muons.This work is supported by FMSR (Austria); FNRS and FWO (Belgium); CNPq, CAPES, FAPERJ, and FAPESP (Brazil); MES (Bulgaria); CERN; CAS, MoST, and NSFC (China); COLCIENCIAS (Colombia); MSES (Croatia); RPF (Cyprus); Academy of Sciences and NICPB (Estonia); Academy of Finland, ME, and HIP (Finland); CEA and CNRS/IN2P3 (France); BMBF, DFG, and HGF (Germany); GSRT (Greece); OTKA and NKTH (Hungary); DAE and DST (India); IPM (Iran); SFI (Ireland); INFN (Italy); NRF (Korea); LAS (Lithuania); CINVESTAV, CONACYT, SEP, and UASLP-FAI (Mexico); PAEC (Pakistan); SCSR (Poland); FCT (Portugal); JINR (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan); MST and MAE (Russia); MSTDS (Serbia); MICINN and CPAN (Spain); Swiss Funding Agencies (Switzerland); NSC (Taipei); TUBITAK and TAEK (Turkey); STFC (United Kingdom); DOE and NSF (USA)

Alignment of the CMS muon system with cosmic-ray and beam-halo muons

This is the Pre-print version of the Article. The official published version of the Paper can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 IOPThe CMS muon system has been aligned using cosmic-ray muons collected in 2008 and beam-halo muons from the 2008 LHC circulating beam tests. After alignment, the resolution of the most sensitive coordinate is 80 microns for the relative positions of superlayers in the same barrel chamber and 270 microns for the relative positions of endcap chambers in the same ring structure. The resolution on the position of the central barrel chambers relative to the tracker is comprised between two extreme estimates, 200 and 700 microns, provided by two complementary studies. With minor modifications, the alignment procedures can be applied using muons from LHC collisions, leading to additional significant improvements.This work is supported by FMSR (Austria); FNRS and FWO (Belgium); CNPq, CAPES, FAPERJ, and FAPESP (Brazil); MES (Bulgaria); CERN; CAS, MoST, and NSFC (China); COLCIENCIAS (Colombia); MSES (Croatia); RPF (Cyprus); Academy of Sciences and NICPB (Estonia); Academy of Finland, ME, and HIP (Finland); CEA and CNRS/IN2P3 (France); BMBF, DFG, and HGF (Germany); GSRT (Greece); OTKA and NKTH (Hungary); DAE and DST (India); IPM (Iran); SFI (Ireland); INFN (Italy); NRF (Korea); LAS (Lithuania); CINVESTAV, CONACYT, SEP, and UASLP-FAI (Mexico); PAEC (Pakistan); SCSR (Poland); FCT (Portugal); JINR(Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan); MST and MAE (Russia); MSTDS (Serbia); MICINN and CPAN (Spain); Swiss Funding Agencies (Switzerland); NSC (Taipei); TUBITAK and TAEK (Turkey); STFC (United Kingdom); DOE and NSF (USA)