Demografía de Especies Maderables de la Península de Osa

Proyecto de investigación (Código 5402-1401-8401) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal. Centro de Investigación en Integración Bosque; Universidad de Costa Rica. Escuela de Biología, 2010This project is supported by 20 years of research and previous projects that have been carried out in the Osa Peninsula by researchers at the TEC Forestry School, all with the common interest of generating baseline information for the management of the forests in the Osa Peninsula. The main objective was to “determine the population demographics of the most intensively harvested merchantable tree species in the Osa Peninsula”. Three research sites within the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve were selected. Within each site four 1-ha permanent plots were established during the “Forest Management Alternatives” project conducted in 1990 and 1993 (Castillo, 1990, Cordero, 1990). Demographic parameters are presented for five merchantable species in the Osa Peninsula (Peltogyne purpuea, Caryocar costaricense, Copaifera camibar, Qualea polychroma y Aspidosperma spruceanum). Growth rate, mortality and recruitment for early and late successional species were determined using data collected in three censuses within the permanent plots. Additionally, demographic matrices were built to predict the size of the populations in 45 years and the effect of selectively logging 50% of all trees was determined for a 15-year cutting cycle which is the norm for management plans usually approved by the Osa Conservation Area. Predictions of tree demographics after harvestings in which 50% of all trees are selectively logged every 15 years show a rapid decrease in the late successional species in the short term (<30 years), and would also cause depletion of important merchantable species in all successional stages due to the low recruitment of advanced regeneration. Particularly, this negatively affects P. purpurea, C. costaricense y C. Camibar and results show that this management regime could cause the local extinction of these species. On the contrary, A. spruceanum and Q. poylchroma were observed to recover more quickly after harvestings and this is due to their higher growth rates and their population structure. Overall, it is recommended that the current Forestry Law should be modified to decrease the extraction rate of these tree species. Thus, cutting cycles should be extended and harvesting intensities should be modified in order to increase the time period in between harvestings. This analysis was based on several silvicultural treatments implemented in the simulations, which are based on three different silvicultural systems (Cordero and Howard, 1990; Castillo, 1991). 1. Improved traditional system: it is the traditional harvesting method of felling and skidding. The planning of forestry operations can thus reduce damage to the forest. Because of this, directional felling should be practiced to reduce the amount of damage to standing trees, the forest floor and extracted logs. During the skidding process, the machinery should remain in the skid trails and all logs must be extracted by using cables (i.e. winched) in order to reduce road distance and the damaged cause by machinery in the forest. 2. Skidding with oxen: the oxen are equipped with chains and a skidding wooden frame. The damaged cause by machinery in the forest is thus reduced. 3. Traditional skidding system with tractors: most common method employed in the country which is highly damaging to the forest, and without prior planning can cause great deterioration of the ecosystem. From the above described skidding methods the different silvicultural systems are derived: Oxen skidding method (SACB), Improved traditional system (SATM), Traditional skidding system with tractors (SATT) and Improved skidding method with oxen and tractors. Regarding tree density (N/ha), there is a tendency to increase with time, which suggests a recovery of the forest after harvestings. In primary forests tree density was 435,6 trees/ha. Tree density also varied from 350 trees/ha in the SATT treatment to 435 trees/ha in the SACB treatment, with a difference between treatments of 85 trees/ha. Nonetheless, 15 years after the first harvesting tree density changed to 520 trees/ha in the SACB and 569 trees/ha in the SABT treatment, reducing the difference between treatments by 50%. There is an increase in the basal area (m2 /ha) 15 years after the harvesting, although values similar to those in primary forests have not been reached yet. In primary forests the average basal area was 30,12 m2 /ha and, specifically for 2007 it was 29,43 m2 /ha. Basal area (m2 /ha) was high regardless of its decrease due to the silvicultural treatments, and when compared with other humid forests this site ranks high. For example, in Northern Costa Rica primary forests have been reported to present 23,8 m2 /ha, and in logged forests it may ranged from 17 to 21,2 m2 /ha. In the development curve analysis, it is important to notice the problem with the abundance of individuals according to their DBH distribution. Not all species reach the canopy or are very abundant so the strategies for their survival/permanence change. In this way, the development curves vary dramatically and are related to the autoecology of the species, which are in turn affected by forest management practices. Tree growth is influenced by many factors, nonetheless, when forests are being assessed for forest management the degree of disturbance caused by the harvestings becomes an important factor since it modifies the standing vegetation and this is tailored according to the particular growth rates of the species. In these experiments, current annual growth (ICA) was 2,88- 3,21 cm/year and the highest current annual growth value of 3,1 cm/year was reported for the most severe treatment. For a 12-year period, and related to the silvicultural treatments implemented, certain tendencies in species’ behaviors have been observed: current annual growth tends to be greater in the 30-39,9 cm at DBH and the 50-59,9 cm at DBH categories, but then decreases considerably in larger categories; this trend is clear in all four treatments. The species with the highest diameter increment by treatment are: Vochysia ferruginea with 15,58 mm/year in treatment 1, Vochysia allenii with 18,17 mm/year, and 12,72 mm/year in treatments 2 and 4, respectively, and Tachigali versicolor with 13,3 mm/year in treatment 2. The proceeding demonstrates these species’ potential for growth. Growth rates are high, Vocyhsia alleni was shown to have the highest growth rate at 12,53 mm/year. This highlights the 12-year growth interval considered in this analysis, which is highly significant. Other equally important within this forest are: Brosium utile, Qualea polychroma, Simarouba amara, Symphonia globurifera, Tapirira myriantha and Vochysia megalophylla were present in all four treatments and present high current annual growth rates. At the other extreme, 67 species are only found in one of the treatments and demonstrate current annual growth rates of 5mm per year. This demonstrates the high variability in terms of growth rates that exists within tropical forests. Growth curves of species with high importance or economic values are presented. These species are Qualea polychroma, Peltogyne purpurea, Calophyllum brasiliense, Carapa nicaraguensis, Brosimun utile, Symphonia globulifera. Species in different genera but with similar ecological charactgeristics were grouped: Vochysia (V. allenii, V, ferruginea, V. guatemalensis, V. megalophyla), Virola (V. koschny, V. sebifera), and at the family level: Sapotaceae (géneros Pouteria, Elaeoluma, Micropholis, Manilkara), and lastly the shade-intolerant and fast-growing species: Trattinnicka aspera, Laetia procera, Apeiba membranaceae, Cecropia obtusifolia, C. insignis, Jacaratia spinosa, Casearia arborea, Jacaranda caucana, and Castilla tunu. All of these present the typical hyperbole curve in their distributions. With respect to mortality among treatments, results indicate that treatment III SATT presented the highest mortality rates, and treatment IV SABT presented the highest recruitment rates. The current tendency is where disturbances were greater mortality was high. Ecological guilds are used in grouping species presenting similar autoecological characteristics in relation to their shade-tolerance. From a silvicultural perspective, this classification allows to assess forest growth after the treatments by means of DBH growth. From the disturbance viewpoint, treatment 4 was the most severe, and it is to be expected that shade-intolerant species present the highest current annual growth rates. This was confirmed and for the fast-growing shade-intolerant species and the pioneer species which attained 4,22 – 4,29 mm/year of DBH growth per year, respectively. It was also observed that the shade-intolerant group presents the highest current annual growth in all treatments, which was also to be expected. An important objective in this project was to translate demographic information into practical recommendations for extraction rates and harvesting methods for the study species. Being able to monitor species for 17 years provides very valuable information that sheds light on the ecology of the tree species, on their growth rates, and silviculturally by studying their response to different silvicultural regimes. This information together is useful when designing sustainable forestry practices for the forests in the Osa Peninsula. After the publication of the Standards for Sustainable Natural Forest Management, according to the Executive Decree 34559-MINAE, published in the Gaceta 115 on June 16th, 2008, the use of the Practices Code and the Manual of Procedures is enforced thereon. This decree demands the application of reference values for two very important variables: basal area (m2 /ha) and the ranges of absence/presence of species according to their ecological guild. Because this decree enforces its implementation in the country, data from two very specific sites was used to establish these guidelines: Northern Costa Rica and the area of influence of FUNDECOR (Foundation for the Development of the Central Cordillera), and there are differences in the variables discussed here between sites. To have more specific parameters of forest dynamics in this region, the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) has planned to generate new reference values for this region, and for this reason this study’s results become very valuable, because it provides up to date information which has been requested to the researchers working in the area by ACOSA. Given the importance of this request, the dissemination of the findings in this study can be readily distributed and incorporated into the different government sectors. Meetings were carried out between the ACOSA officials and the researchers, with the objective of designing a strategy that could be submitted to the National Commission of Sustainable Forestry in order to modify the current Executive Decree 34559-MINAE. This project’s results suggest that the reference values set by the Executive Decree 34559-MINAE are small compared to the values reported in the Osa Peninsula’s forests. This represents a disadvantage for these forests because they are harvestable according to the decree. This is mainly due to the fact that the Peninsula’s forests are more productive than most forests in the country.Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Universidad De Costa Rica. Programa Conjunto INBio-SINAC con fondos del Banco Mundial-Proyecto Desarrollo de Recursos de la Biodiversidad

Consolidación de un sistema de producción in vitro de piel humana para pacientes con diversas afecciones epidérmicas.

Proyecto de Investigación. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Biología. Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología (CIB). Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Tejidos (LAINTEC); Hospital Nacional de Niños. Servicio de Dermatología, Laboratorio de Citogenética, Unidad de Quemados; Hospital San Juan de Dios. Servicio de radioterapia, Unidad de Quemados, Clínica Unidad Nacional de Quemados; Hospital México. Servicio de Dermatología y Alergología, 2009Durante los últimos, investigadores del Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología (CIB, ITCR) y personal médico de la CCSS, han colaborado para el desarrollo de tratamientos terapéuticos innovadores para mejorar la calidad de vida de pacientes con afecciones epidérmicas. A la fecha, no existe un tratamiento de reepitelización efectiva en Costa Rica. Alternativamente, el cultivo de células epidérmicas para el tratamiento de afecciones de la piel se realiza con éxito en otros países. Este procedimiento implica el cultivo in vitro de fibroblastos y queratinocitos humanos, donde las células obtenidas y amplificadas se re-injertan al paciente para tratar la zona afectada, posibilitando una recuperación más rápida y efectiva, lo que incidiría en mejorar su calidad de vida y en la disminución de costos hospitalarios. Mediante esta estrategia, se ha iniciado en el Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Tejidos del CIB del ITCR el establecimiento de protocolos de cultivo de fibroblastos y queratinocitos humanos. Los protocolos de irradiación, criopreservación y descongelamiento han sido parcialmente implementados utilizando fibroblastos humanos y murinos. Sin embargo, no se han tratado pacientes con el material cultivado, pues se está a la espera de la aprobación del Comité de Bioética del CENDEISSS. No obstante, los protocolos de cultivo celular han sido adaptados a nuestro medio mediante los resultados de visitas científicas y capacitaciones. Gracias a estas experiencias, el ITCR ha establecido funcional y físicamente dos Laboratorios de Ingeniería de Tejidos, que lo posesionan como pionero en el cultivo in vitro de células epidérmicas con fines terapéuticos en Centro América y el Caribe

Gestión de reactivos químicos en laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During years 2008-2009, a diagnostic regarding chemical reagents management (aspects related with; regulations, safety procedures, handle and storage conditions, etc) in teaching and research laboratories of the Universidad Nacional, was carried out. In order to collect such information different strategies/methodologies were used: 1) application of an interview and questionnaire to the laboratories’ personnel, 2)an inspection of the laboratories, 3) generation of chemical reagents database 4) work sessions with university management authorities and 5) interview with chemical products management personnel of public and private institutions .This study allowed to identify the actual conditions for the chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional, for example; the different procedures for the segregation, storage, labeling and use of the chemicals, as well as the aspects related with; chemical database generation, material and safety equipment control, use of safety procedures, etc. Also, the study allowed to evaluate the existing management procedures executed by university authorities for handling them appropriately. As a conclusion, in order to conduct an adequate chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional it is necessary to formulate and implement regulation (institutional procedures, protocols, etc) and the establishment of an university office in charge of all the chemical reagents management activities and procedures. Also is necessary to generate national regulations focused on university activities (chemical reagents management) as well as the existing for the industry chemical products control and regulation.Durante el 2008-2009 se realizó un diagnóstico de la gestión de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de docencia e investigación de la Universidad Nacional, utilizando las siguientes herramientas: 1) aplicación de cuestionario, entrevista a funcionarios de laboratorio, 2) realización de visita al laboratorio, 3) generación de inventarios de reactivos químicos, 4) realización de sesiones de trabajo con funcionarios universitarios y 5) visitas a instituciones públicas y privadas relacionados con la gestión de reactivos químicos. La investigación permitió identificar la gestión actual de reactivos químicos; respecto a; medidas bajo las cuales se almacenan, segregan, etiquetan y utilizan los reactivos químicos, aspectos relacionados con la generación de inventarios, control y seguimiento del estado de los reactivos químicos, existencias de equipos de seguridad, aplicación de protocolos para uso adecuado de reactivos, evaluar las acciones administrativas que ejecuta la universidad para que el uso de los reactivos químicos sea el más seguro para la salud de los trabajadores, la propiedad y el medio ambiente. Se concluye que una gestión adecuada de reactivos químicos requiere de formulación e implementación de normativas institucionales y la creación de una plataforma universitaria que coordine las acciones correspondientes. También es necesario la creación de normativa nacional atinentes al quehacer universitario, tal y como existe para regular el uso de productos químicos a nivel industrial

Gestión de reactivos químicos en laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

Durante el 2008-2009 se realizó un diagnóstico de la gestión de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de docencia e investigación de la Universidad Nacional, utilizando las siguientes herramientas: 1) aplicación de cuestionario, entrevista a funcionarios de laboratorio, 2) realización de visita al laboratorio, 3) generación de inventarios de reactivos químicos, 4) realización de sesiones de trabajo con funcionarios universitarios y 5) visitas a instituciones públicas y privadas relacionados con la gestión de reactivos químicos. La investigación permitió identificar la gestión actual de reactivos químicos; respecto a; medidas bajo las cuales se almacenan, segregan, etiquetan y utilizan los reactivos químicos, aspectos relacionados con la generación de inventarios, control y seguimiento del estado de los reactivos químicos, existencias de equipos de seguridad, aplicación de protocolos para uso adecuado de reactivos, evaluar las acciones administrativas que ejecuta la universidad para que el uso de los reactivos químicos sea el más seguro para la salud de los trabajadores, la propiedad y el medio ambiente. Se concluye que una gestión adecuada de reactivos químicos requiere de formulación e implementación de normativas institucionales y la creación de una plataforma universitaria que coordine las acciones correspondientes. También es necesario la creación de normativa nacional atinentes al quehacer universitario, tal y como existe para regular el uso de productos químicos a nivel industrial.During years 2008-2009, a diagnostic regarding chemical reagents management (aspects related with; regulations, safety procedures, handle and storage conditions, etc) in teaching and research laboratories of the Universidad Nacional, was carried out. In order to collect such information different strategies/methodologies were used: 1) application of an interview and questionnaire to the laboratories’ personnel, 2)an inspection of the laboratories, 3) generation of chemical reagents database 4) work sessions with university management authorities and 5) interview with chemical products management personnel of public and private institutions .This study allowed to identify the actual conditions for the chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional, for example; the different procedures for the segregation, storage, labeling and use of the chemicals, as well as the aspects related with; chemical database generation, material and safety equipment control, use of safety procedures, etc. Also, the study allowed to evaluate the existing management procedures executed by university authorities for handling them appropriately. As a conclusion, in order to conduct an adequate chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional it is necessary to formulate and implement regulation (institutional procedures, protocols, etc) and the establishment of an university office in charge of all the chemical reagents management activities and procedures. Also is necessary to generate national regulations focused on university activities (chemical reagents management) as well as the existing for the industry chemical products control and regulation

Gestión de reactivos químicos en laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During years 2008-2009, a diagnostic regarding chemical reagents management (aspects related with; regulations, safety procedures, handle and storage conditions, etc) in teaching and research laboratories of the Universidad Nacional, was carried out. In order to collect such information different strategies/methodologies were used: 1) application of an interview and questionnaire to the laboratories’ personnel, 2)an inspection of the laboratories, 3) generation of chemical reagents database 4) work sessions with university management authorities and 5) interview with chemical products management personnel of public and private institutions .This study allowed to identify the actual conditions for the chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional, for example; the different procedures for the segregation, storage, labeling and use of the chemicals, as well as the aspects related with; chemical database generation, material and safety equipment control, use of safety procedures, etc. Also, the study allowed to evaluate the existing management procedures executed by university authorities for handling them appropriately. As a conclusion, in order to conduct an adequate chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional it is necessary to formulate and implement regulation (institutional procedures, protocols, etc) and the establishment of an university office in charge of all the chemical reagents management activities and procedures. Also is necessary to generate national regulations focused on university activities (chemical reagents management) as well as the existing for the industry chemical products control and regulation.Durante el 2008-2009 se realizó un diagnóstico de la gestión de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de docencia e investigación de la Universidad Nacional, utilizando las siguientes herramientas: 1) aplicación de cuestionario, entrevista a funcionarios de laboratorio, 2) realización de visita al laboratorio, 3) generación de inventarios de reactivos químicos, 4) realización de sesiones de trabajo con funcionarios universitarios y 5) visitas a instituciones públicas y privadas relacionados con la gestión de reactivos químicos. La investigación permitió identificar la gestión actual de reactivos químicos; respecto a; medidas bajo las cuales se almacenan, segregan, etiquetan y utilizan los reactivos químicos, aspectos relacionados con la generación de inventarios, control y seguimiento del estado de los reactivos químicos, existencias de equipos de seguridad, aplicación de protocolos para uso adecuado de reactivos, evaluar las acciones administrativas que ejecuta la universidad para que el uso de los reactivos químicos sea el más seguro para la salud de los trabajadores, la propiedad y el medio ambiente. Se concluye que una gestión adecuada de reactivos químicos requiere de formulación e implementación de normativas institucionales y la creación de una plataforma universitaria que coordine las acciones correspondientes. También es necesario la creación de normativa nacional atinentes al quehacer universitario, tal y como existe para regular el uso de productos químicos a nivel industrial

Chemical reageants management in laboratories of the Universidad Nacional

Durante el 2008-2009 se realizó un diagnóstico de la gestión de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de docencia e investigación de la Universidad Nacional, utilizando las siguientes herramientas: 1) aplicación de cuestionario, entrevista a funcionarios de laboratorio, 2) realización de visita al laboratorio, 3) generación de inventarios de reactivos químicos, 4) realización de sesiones de trabajo con funcionarios universitarios y 5) visitas a instituciones públicas y privadas relacionados con la gestión de reactivos químicos. La investigación permitió identificar la gestión actual de reactivos químicos; respecto a; medidas bajo las cuales se almacenan, segregan, etiquetan y utilizan los reactivos químicos, aspectos relacionados con la generación de inventarios, control y seguimiento del estado de los reactivos químicos, existencias de equipos de seguridad, aplicación de protocolos para uso adecuado de reactivos, evaluarlas acciones administrativas que ejecuta la universidad para que el uso de los reactivos químicos sea el más seguro para la salud de los trabajadores, la propiedad y el medio ambiente. Se concluye que una gestión adecuada de reactivos químicos requiere de formulación e implementación de normativas institucionales y la creación de una plataforma universitaria que coordine las acciones correspondientes. También es necesario la creación de normativa nacional atinentes al quehacer universitario, tal y como existe para regular el uso de productos químicos a nivel industrial.During years 2008-2009, a diagnostic regarding chemical reagents management (aspects related with; regulations, safety procedures, handle and storage conditions, etc) in teaching and research laboratories of the Universidad Nacional, was carried out. In order to collect such information different strategies/methodologies were used: 1) application of an interview and questionnaire to the laboratories’ personnel, 2)an inspection of the laboratories, 3)generation of chemical reagents database 4) work sessions with university management authorities and 5) interview with chemical products management personnel of public and private institutions. This study allowed to identify the actual conditions for the chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional, for example; the different procedures for the segregation, storage, labeling and use of the chemicals, as well as the aspects related with; chemical database generation, material and safety equipment control, use of safety procedures, etc. Also, the study allowed to evaluate the existing management procedures executed by university authorities for handling them appropriately. As a conclusion, in order to conduct an adequate chemical reagents management at Universidad Nacional it is necessary to formulate and implement regulation (institutional procedures, protocols, etc) and the establishment of an university office in charge of all the chemical reagents management activities and procedures. Also is necessary to generate national regulations focused on university activities (chemical reagents management) as well as the existing for the industry chemical products control and regulation.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Químic

Demografía de Especies Maderables de la Península de Osa

Proyecto de investigación (Código 5402-1401-8401) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal. Centro de Investigación en Integración Bosque; Universidad de Costa Rica. Escuela de Biología, 2010This project is supported by 20 years of research and previous projects that have been carried out in the Osa Peninsula by researchers at the TEC Forestry School, all with the common interest of generating baseline information for the management of the forests in the Osa Peninsula. The main objective was to “determine the population demographics of the most intensively harvested merchantable tree species in the Osa Peninsula”. Three research sites within the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve were selected. Within each site four 1-ha permanent plots were established during the “Forest Management Alternatives” project conducted in 1990 and 1993 (Castillo, 1990, Cordero, 1990). Demographic parameters are presented for five merchantable species in the Osa Peninsula (Peltogyne purpuea, Caryocar costaricense, Copaifera camibar, Qualea polychroma y Aspidosperma spruceanum). Growth rate, mortality and recruitment for early and late successional species were determined using data collected in three censuses within the permanent plots. Additionally, demographic matrices were built to predict the size of the populations in 45 years and the effect of selectively logging 50% of all trees was determined for a 15-year cutting cycle which is the norm for management plans usually approved by the Osa Conservation Area. Predictions of tree demographics after harvestings in which 50% of all trees are selectively logged every 15 years show a rapid decrease in the late successional species in the short term (<30 years), and would also cause depletion of important merchantable species in all successional stages due to the low recruitment of advanced regeneration. Particularly, this negatively affects P. purpurea, C. costaricense y C. Camibar and results show that this management regime could cause the local extinction of these species. On the contrary, A. spruceanum and Q. poylchroma were observed to recover more quickly after harvestings and this is due to their higher growth rates and their population structure. Overall, it is recommended that the current Forestry Law should be modified to decrease the extraction rate of these tree species. Thus, cutting cycles should be extended and harvesting intensities should be modified in order to increase the time period in between harvestings. This analysis was based on several silvicultural treatments implemented in the simulations, which are based on three different silvicultural systems (Cordero and Howard, 1990; Castillo, 1991). 1. Improved traditional system: it is the traditional harvesting method of felling and skidding. The planning of forestry operations can thus reduce damage to the forest. Because of this, directional felling should be practiced to reduce the amount of damage to standing trees, the forest floor and extracted logs. During the skidding process, the machinery should remain in the skid trails and all logs must be extracted by using cables (i.e. winched) in order to reduce road distance and the damaged cause by machinery in the forest. 2. Skidding with oxen: the oxen are equipped with chains and a skidding wooden frame. The damaged cause by machinery in the forest is thus reduced. 3. Traditional skidding system with tractors: most common method employed in the country which is highly damaging to the forest, and without prior planning can cause great deterioration of the ecosystem. From the above described skidding methods the different silvicultural systems are derived: Oxen skidding method (SACB), Improved traditional system (SATM), Traditional skidding system with tractors (SATT) and Improved skidding method with oxen and tractors. Regarding tree density (N/ha), there is a tendency to increase with time, which suggests a recovery of the forest after harvestings. In primary forests tree density was 435,6 trees/ha. Tree density also varied from 350 trees/ha in the SATT treatment to 435 trees/ha in the SACB treatment, with a difference between treatments of 85 trees/ha. Nonetheless, 15 years after the first harvesting tree density changed to 520 trees/ha in the SACB and 569 trees/ha in the SABT treatment, reducing the difference between treatments by 50%. There is an increase in the basal area (m2 /ha) 15 years after the harvesting, although values similar to those in primary forests have not been reached yet. In primary forests the average basal area was 30,12 m2 /ha and, specifically for 2007 it was 29,43 m2 /ha. Basal area (m2 /ha) was high regardless of its decrease due to the silvicultural treatments, and when compared with other humid forests this site ranks high. For example, in Northern Costa Rica primary forests have been reported to present 23,8 m2 /ha, and in logged forests it may ranged from 17 to 21,2 m2 /ha. In the development curve analysis, it is important to notice the problem with the abundance of individuals according to their DBH distribution. Not all species reach the canopy or are very abundant so the strategies for their survival/permanence change. In this way, the development curves vary dramatically and are related to the autoecology of the species, which are in turn affected by forest management practices. Tree growth is influenced by many factors, nonetheless, when forests are being assessed for forest management the degree of disturbance caused by the harvestings becomes an important factor since it modifies the standing vegetation and this is tailored according to the particular growth rates of the species. In these experiments, current annual growth (ICA) was 2,88- 3,21 cm/year and the highest current annual growth value of 3,1 cm/year was reported for the most severe treatment. For a 12-year period, and related to the silvicultural treatments implemented, certain tendencies in species’ behaviors have been observed: current annual growth tends to be greater in the 30-39,9 cm at DBH and the 50-59,9 cm at DBH categories, but then decreases considerably in larger categories; this trend is clear in all four treatments. The species with the highest diameter increment by treatment are: Vochysia ferruginea with 15,58 mm/year in treatment 1, Vochysia allenii with 18,17 mm/year, and 12,72 mm/year in treatments 2 and 4, respectively, and Tachigali versicolor with 13,3 mm/year in treatment 2. The proceeding demonstrates these species’ potential for growth. Growth rates are high, Vocyhsia alleni was shown to have the highest growth rate at 12,53 mm/year. This highlights the 12-year growth interval considered in this analysis, which is highly significant. Other equally important within this forest are: Brosium utile, Qualea polychroma, Simarouba amara, Symphonia globurifera, Tapirira myriantha and Vochysia megalophylla were present in all four treatments and present high current annual growth rates. At the other extreme, 67 species are only found in one of the treatments and demonstrate current annual growth rates of 5mm per year. This demonstrates the high variability in terms of growth rates that exists within tropical forests. Growth curves of species with high importance or economic values are presented. These species are Qualea polychroma, Peltogyne purpurea, Calophyllum brasiliense, Carapa nicaraguensis, Brosimun utile, Symphonia globulifera. Species in different genera but with similar ecological charactgeristics were grouped: Vochysia (V. allenii, V, ferruginea, V. guatemalensis, V. megalophyla), Virola (V. koschny, V. sebifera), and at the family level: Sapotaceae (géneros Pouteria, Elaeoluma, Micropholis, Manilkara), and lastly the shade-intolerant and fast-growing species: Trattinnicka aspera, Laetia procera, Apeiba membranaceae, Cecropia obtusifolia, C. insignis, Jacaratia spinosa, Casearia arborea, Jacaranda caucana, and Castilla tunu. All of these present the typical hyperbole curve in their distributions. With respect to mortality among treatments, results indicate that treatment III SATT presented the highest mortality rates, and treatment IV SABT presented the highest recruitment rates. The current tendency is where disturbances were greater mortality was high. Ecological guilds are used in grouping species presenting similar autoecological characteristics in relation to their shade-tolerance. From a silvicultural perspective, this classification allows to assess forest growth after the treatments by means of DBH growth. From the disturbance viewpoint, treatment 4 was the most severe, and it is to be expected that shade-intolerant species present the highest current annual growth rates. This was confirmed and for the fast-growing shade-intolerant species and the pioneer species which attained 4,22 – 4,29 mm/year of DBH growth per year, respectively. It was also observed that the shade-intolerant group presents the highest current annual growth in all treatments, which was also to be expected. An important objective in this project was to translate demographic information into practical recommendations for extraction rates and harvesting methods for the study species. Being able to monitor species for 17 years provides very valuable information that sheds light on the ecology of the tree species, on their growth rates, and silviculturally by studying their response to different silvicultural regimes. This information together is useful when designing sustainable forestry practices for the forests in the Osa Peninsula. After the publication of the Standards for Sustainable Natural Forest Management, according to the Executive Decree 34559-MINAE, published in the Gaceta 115 on June 16th, 2008, the use of the Practices Code and the Manual of Procedures is enforced thereon. This decree demands the application of reference values for two very important variables: basal area (m2 /ha) and the ranges of absence/presence of species according to their ecological guild. Because this decree enforces its implementation in the country, data from two very specific sites was used to establish these guidelines: Northern Costa Rica and the area of influence of FUNDECOR (Foundation for the Development of the Central Cordillera), and there are differences in the variables discussed here between sites. To have more specific parameters of forest dynamics in this region, the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) has planned to generate new reference values for this region, and for this reason this study’s results become very valuable, because it provides up to date information which has been requested to the researchers working in the area by ACOSA. Given the importance of this request, the dissemination of the findings in this study can be readily distributed and incorporated into the different government sectors. Meetings were carried out between the ACOSA officials and the researchers, with the objective of designing a strategy that could be submitted to the National Commission of Sustainable Forestry in order to modify the current Executive Decree 34559-MINAE. This project’s results suggest that the reference values set by the Executive Decree 34559-MINAE are small compared to the values reported in the Osa Peninsula’s forests. This represents a disadvantage for these forests because they are harvestable according to the decree. This is mainly due to the fact that the Peninsula’s forests are more productive than most forests in the country.Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Universidad De Costa Rica. Programa Conjunto INBio-SINAC con fondos del Banco Mundial-Proyecto Desarrollo de Recursos de la Biodiversidad

Environmental impact assessment of 17 construction projects in various university campuses

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the process of evaluating the environmental consequences of a plan, policy, programme or any other project prior to the execution of the proposed action; it is the primary instrument for development planning and decision-making. Pollution sources from the construction process include harmful gases, noise, and dust, solid and liquid waste. A large variety of tools is available for environmental assessment of buildings. In Costa Rica, the EIA system is funded on the Costa Rican Political Constitution, the Environmental Organic Law and the General Regulation for the EIA Procedures of 2004. Costa Rica employs an environmental toolkit (environmental assess ment form to assign the environmental impact of a new construction project. The toolkit provides a methodology, associated with environmental aspects (EAs), assessment indicators and weighting fac tors (WF) for each EA. A total of seven impact categories related to natural resources, soil, wildlife, flora and fauna, air, human health, water and socio-cultural are used to establish the WF. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the environmental impact of 17 construction projects to be de veloped in various university campuses, by using the Costa Rican toolkit. Significant environmental aspects (SEA) were determined in order to evaluate their relationship with the final value of the total environmental impact (TEIp) of each project. The results show that the TEIp for the 17 projects evalu ated fall in the Low Environmental Impact category. The projects with the higher values of TEIp are those containing internal areas to handle and work with chemical and biological substances, as well as radioactive materials. From the total of the 33 EA evaluated, a 22 of them were classified as SEA. The most common SEA for the projects evaluated are treatment and disposal of ordinary wastes, treatment and disposal of debris building, emissions from mobile sources, production of noise and vibration, population density and employment generation.La evaluación del impacto ambiental (EIA) es el proceso de evaluación de las consecuencias ambientales de un plan, política, programa o cualquier otro proyecto antes de la ejecución de la acción propuesta; es el instrumento principal para la planificación del desarrollo y la toma de decisiones. Entre las fuentes de contaminación procedentes del proceso de construcción figuran los gases nocivos, el ruido y el polvo, así como los residuos sólidos y líquidos. Existe una gran variedad de herramientas para la evaluación ambiental de las construcciones. En Costa Rica, el sistema de EIA se fundamenta en la Constitución Política costarricense, la Ley Orgánica del Ambiente y el Reglamento General para los Procedimientos de EIA de 2004. Costa Rica emplea un conjunto de herramientas ambientales (formulario de evaluación ambiental) para asignar el impacto ambiental de un nuevo proyecto de construcción. La caja de herramientas proporciona una metodología, asociada a aspectos ambientales (AA), indicadores de evaluación y factores de ponderación (Pd) para cada AA. Para establecer los factores de ponderación se utilizan un total de siete categorías de impacto relacionadas con los recursos naturales, el suelo, la fauna y la flora, el aire, la salud humana, el agua y los aspectos socioculturales. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue evaluar el impacto ambiental de 17 proyectos de construcción a desarrollarse en varios campus universitarios, mediante el uso de la caja de herramientas costarricense. Se determinaron los aspectos ambientales significativos (AAE) para evaluar su relación con el valor final del impacto ambiental total (TEIp) de cada proyecto. Los resultados muestran que los TEIp de los 17 proyectos evaluados se ubican en la categoría de Bajo Impacto Ambiental. Los proyectos con valores más elevados de TEIp son los que contienen áreas internas de manipulación y trabajo con sustancias químicas y biológicas, así como con materiales radiactivos. Del total de los 33 EA evaluados, un 22 de ellos se clasificaron como EAE. Las EAE más comunes para los proyectos evaluados son tratamiento y eliminación de residuos ordinarios, tratamiento y eliminación de escombros de construcción, emisiones de fuentes móviles, producción de ruido y vibraciones, densidad de población y generación de empleo.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Químic

Clasificación de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During 2008-2010 inventories of chemical reagents used and stored in teaching and research laboratories of Omar Dengo and Benjamín Núñez campuses of National University were generated. E ach laboratory coordinator was asked to fill out a form that included name, quantity and CAS number of every chemical reagent stored and utilized in the laboratories. Chemical reagents were then classified according to the risk categories described by the United Nations IMDG Code. Such a classification process allowed the development of distribution patterns of the chemical reagents within the schools, institutes and research centers of Universidad Nacional. In addition, they were identified the chemicals hazardous classes of the reagents of larger and lesser utilization within the university laboratories. An adequate chemical reagent management, along with a classification system based upon risk categories, is necessary in order to establish a safe working environment in university laboratories. Classification of chemical reagents permits reduction of the administrative, economical, legal, safety, and technical expenses associated with chemical emergencies management; furthermore, it allows the development and application of preventive work practices by students and university personnel during chemical reagent manipulation.Durante el periodo 2008-2010 se realizaron inventarios de los reactivos químicos utilizados y almacenados en los laboratorios de los campus Omar Dengo y Benjamín Núñez de la Universidad Nacional. Se le solicitó a cada coordinador de laboratorio completar un formulario que incluía el nombre, la cantidad y el número CAS de los reactivos químicos almacenados y utilizados en cada laboratorio. Con estos datos, se clasificaron los reactivos de acuerdo con su categoría de peligro, utilizando el Código IMDG de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permitió el desarrollo de sus patrones de distribución en las diferentes unidades, institutos y centros de investigación de la Universidad Nacional. Además, se identificaron las clases de reactivos de mayor y menor uso en los laboratorios de la institución. El adecuado manejo de los reactivos químicos, con su correspondiente clasificación basada en la categoría de riesgo, es la base principal para la implementación de un ambiente seguro de trabajo en los laboratorios. La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permite minimizar los costos administrativos, económicos, legales, de seguridad y técnicos asociados con la atención de emergencias químicas; permitiendo además el desarrollo y aplicación de prácticas de trabajo preventivas por parte de funcionarios y estudiantes durante la manipulación de estas sustancias

Clasificación de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During 2008-2010 inventories of chemical reagents used and stored in teaching and research laboratories of Omar Dengo and Benjamín Núñez campuses of National University were generated. E ach laboratory coordinator was asked to fill out a form that included name, quantity and CAS number of every chemical reagent stored and utilized in the laboratories. Chemical reagents were then classified according to the risk categories described by the United Nations IMDG Code. Such a classification process allowed the development of distribution patterns of the chemical reagents within the schools, institutes and research centers of Universidad Nacional. In addition, they were identified the chemicals hazardous classes of the reagents of larger and lesser utilization within the university laboratories. An adequate chemical reagent management, along with a classification system based upon risk categories, is necessary in order to establish a safe working environment in university laboratories. Classification of chemical reagents permits reduction of the administrative, economical, legal, safety, and technical expenses associated with chemical emergencies management; furthermore, it allows the development and application of preventive work practices by students and university personnel during chemical reagent manipulation.Durante el periodo 2008-2010 se realizaron inventarios de los reactivos químicos utilizados y almacenados en los laboratorios de los campus Omar Dengo y Benjamín Núñez de la Universidad Nacional. Se le solicitó a cada coordinador de laboratorio completar un formulario que incluía el nombre, la cantidad y el número CAS de los reactivos químicos almacenados y utilizados en cada laboratorio. Con estos datos, se clasificaron los reactivos de acuerdo con su categoría de peligro, utilizando el Código IMDG de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permitió el desarrollo de sus patrones de distribución en las diferentes unidades, institutos y centros de investigación de la Universidad Nacional. Además, se identificaron las clases de reactivos de mayor y menor uso en los laboratorios de la institución. El adecuado manejo de los reactivos químicos, con su correspondiente clasificación basada en la categoría de riesgo, es la base principal para la implementación de un ambiente seguro de trabajo en los laboratorios. La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permite minimizar los costos administrativos, económicos, legales, de seguridad y técnicos asociados con la atención de emergencias químicas; permitiendo además el desarrollo y aplicación de prácticas de trabajo preventivas por parte de funcionarios y estudiantes durante la manipulación de estas sustancias