The Emotional and Cognitive Scale of the Human-Nature Relationship (ECS-HNR)

A bidimensional (cognitive-emotional) novel survey, the Emotional and Cognitive Scale of the Human-Nature Relationship (ECS-HNR), was designed and validated to measure Ecological Awareness (EAW) and Ecological Affectiveness (EAF) as vital aspects of the human-nature relationship. Data were collected in Chile between July and October 2019 from 474 participants ranging between 6 and 85 years old, using the snowball sampling technique. To examine the properties of the ECS-HNR we analyzed the results in terms of its content validity, reliability, factor structure, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The ECS-HNR comprises 24 items divided into two subscales with three subscales each (EAF: Empathy, Enjoyment, and Connectedness; EAW: Understanding, Appreciation, and Perception). The results demonstrated that the ECS-HNR is a reliable instrument, as items (the two scales and their subscales) exhibited an acceptable internal consistency. Our findings demonstrate that the ECS-HNR allows the integration of both dimensions of the human–nature relationship and is appropriate to evaluate attitudes and feelings toward nature.Fil: Mundaca, Enrique A. Universidad Católica del Maule; Chile.Fil: Lazzaro-Salazar, Mariana. Universidad Católica del Maule. Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado; Chile.Fil: Pujol-Cols, Lucas J. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Muñoz-Quezada, María Teresa. Universidad Católica del Maule; Chile

The Emotional and Cognitive Scale of the Human-Nature Relationship (ECS-HNR)

A bidimensional (cognitive-emotional) novel survey, the Emotional and Cognitive Scale of the Human-Nature Relationship (ECS-HNR), was designed and validated to measure Ecological Awareness (EAW) and Ecological Affectiveness (EAF) as vital aspects of the human-nature relationship. Data were collected in Chile between July and October 2019 from 474 participants ranging between 6 and 85 years old, using the snowball sampling technique. To examine the properties of the ECS-HNR we analyzed the results in terms of its content validity, reliability, factor structure, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The ECS-HNR comprises 24 items divided into two subscales with three subscales each (EAF: Empathy, Enjoyment, and Connectedness; EAW: Understanding, Appreciation, and Perception). The results demonstrated that the ECS-HNR is a reliable instrument, as items (the two scales and their subscales) exhibited an acceptable internal consistency. Our findings demonstrate that the ECS-HNR allows the integration of both dimensions of the human–nature relationship and is appropriate to evaluate attitudes and feelings toward nature.Fil: Mundaca, Enrique A. Universidad Católica del Maule; Chile.Fil: Lazzaro-Salazar, Mariana. Universidad Católica del Maule. Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado; Chile.Fil: Pujol-Cols, Lucas J. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Muñoz-Quezada, María Teresa. Universidad Católica del Maule; Chile

New record of the slimy eel Eptatretus polytrema (Girard, 1855) (Myxiniformes, Myxinidae) in the extreme north of Chile

We report the capture of a single specimen of the slimy eel Eptatretus polytrema (Girard, 1855) off the coast of the city of Arica, northern Chile. This find extends the currently known range of the species by 1,600 km northwards from the city of Caldera (Atacama Region) to Puerto Montt (Lake Region). We discuss the importance of finding this species in the extreme north of Chile and the need for additional sampling to confirm the continuous range of E. polytrema between Caldera and Arica

Extensión del rango de distribución de Lithobius obscurus Meinert (Lithobiidae, Lithobiomorpha) en plantación orgánica y convencional de manzanas en Chile central

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Combined effects of soil silicon and host plant resistance on planthoppers, blast and bacterial blight in tropical rice

Soil silicon enhances rice defenses against a range of biotic stresses. However, the magnitude of these effects can depend on the nature of the rice variety. We conducted a series of greenhouse experiments to examine the effects of silicon on planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens [BPH] and Sogatella furcifera [WBPH]), a leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens [GLH]), blast disease (Magnaporthe grisea) and bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae) in susceptible and resistant rice. We added powdered silica gel (SiO2) to paddy soil at equivalent to 0.25, 1.0, and 4.0 t ha−1. Added silicon reduced BPH nymph settling, but the effect was negligible under high nitrogen. In a choice experiment, BPH egg-laying was lower than untreated controls under all silicon treatments regardless of nitrogen or variety, whereas, in a no-choice experiment, silicon reduced egg-laying on the susceptible but not the resistant (BPH32 gene) variety. Stronger effects in choice experiments suggest that silicon mainly enhanced antixenosis defenses. We found no effects of silicon on WBPH or GLH. Silicon reduced blast damage to susceptible and resistant (Piz, Piz-5 and Pi9 genes) rice. Silicon reduced damage from a virulent strain of bacterial blight but had little effect on a less virulent strain in susceptible and resistant (Xa4, Xa7 and Xa4 + Xa7 genes) varieties. When combined with resistance, silicon had an additive effect in reducing biomass losses to plants infested with bacterial blight (resistance up to 50%; silicon 20%). We discuss how silicon-containing soil amendments can be combined with host resistance to reduce biotic stresses in rice

Direct and indirect effects of planning density, nitrogenous fertilizer and host plant resistance on rice herbivores and their natural enemies

In rice ecosystems, seeding densities can be adjusted to compensate for lower nitrogen levels that reduce GHG emissions, or to increase farm profitability. However, density-induced changes to plant anatomy could affect herbivore-rice interactions, and alter arthropod community dynamics. We conducted an experiment that varied transplanting density (low or high), nitrogenous fertilizer (0, 60 or 150 kg added ha−1) and rice variety (resistant or susceptible to phloem-feeding insects) over two rice-growing seasons. Yields per plot increased with added nitrogen, but were not affected by variety or transplanting density. Planthopper and leafhopper densities were lower on resistant rice and in high-density field plots. Nitrogen was associated with higher densities of planthoppers, but lower densities of leafhoppers per plot. High planting densities and high nitrogen also increased rodent damage. The structure of arthropod herbivore communities was largely determined by season and transplanting density. Furthermore, two abundant planthoppers (Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) and Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) segregated to low and high-density plots, respectively. The structure of decomposer communities was determined by season and fertilizer regime; total decomposer abundance increased in high-nitrogen plots during the dry season. Predator community structure was determined by season and total prey abundance (including decomposers) with several spider species dominating in plots with high prey abundance during the wet season. Our results indicate how rice plasticity and arthropod biodiversity promote stability and resilience in rice ecosystems. We recommend that conservation biological control, which includes a reduction or elimination of insecticides, could be promoted to attain sustainable rice production systems.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

First high-altitude record of Bucculatrix mirnae Vargas and Moreira (Lepidoptera, Bucculatricidae) on a newly documented host plant: the importance of host plant distribution for conservation on the western slopes of the Andes mountains of northern Chile

ABSTRACT Bucculatrix mirnae Vargas and Moreira, 2012 (Lepidoptera, Bucculatricidae) is a micromoth native to the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert previously known to occur only in the type locality of the Azapa Valley, close to sea level. Its immature stages are associated with the shrub Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers. (Asteraceae). We report data on the occurrence of B. mirnae found for the first time at 3500 m above sea level on the western slopes of the Andes mountains of northern Chile. In addition, Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walp. is recorded as a new host plant for B. mirnae. The implications of this finding for conservation in the arid western slopes of the Andes habitats in northern Chile are discussed

Colouration patterns of two species of the genus Scartichthys (Blenniidae: Perciformes) in the coastal area of northern Chile

The aim of this study was to report the colouration patterns of live specimens of two Blenniidae species: Scartichthys gigas and S. viridis, from tide pools in the coastal area of 3 localities of northern Chile. Colouration patterns for S. gigas were: the two-bar front head covered/uncovered and the uniform orange-brown, found in specimens associated to kelps, for juveniles; an intermediate juvenile-adult reticulated bar-stained pattern described for the first time and the reticulated pattern for adults. For S. viridis the dark-light green pattern is described for juveniles and adults. The findings are discussed in terms of colouration patterns previously described for both species, with emphasis on the importance of using colouration patterns to improve species identification, reduce habitat disturbance and specimen removal from the wild