The future of the indigenous freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius italicus in Basque Country streams: Is it possible to survive being an inconvenient species?

The white-clawed freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius italicus is listed as “vulnerable” in the Spanish Red List of threatened species, but local legislation varies among Spanish regions. Thus, while in some places the species is classified as “in risk of extinction” and various plans of conservation and restoration have been implemented, in the Basque Country and other regions the species is not listed. The distribution of the white-clawed crayfish in the province of Biscay (Basque Country) was studied from 1993 to 2007 at more than 600 sampling locations. Results show that 108 streams were inhabited by the native crayfish species A. italicus while 137 streams were inhabited by non-native signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus or red-swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. The spread of non-native crayfish is not the only threat to the native species whose survival is also closely dependent on how watersheds are managed. Most A. italicus populations inhabit headwaters, where forestry activities are very important. The presence of native crayfish in heavily forested areas results in a conflict of interests and makes its conservation particularly difficult. We employed a SWOT analysis – an assessment and decision tool commonly used in marketing and business – to evaluate the situation of the native white-clawed crayfish in Biscay, a province characterized by very high demographic pressure. SWOT analysis has proved to be a useful diagnostic tool and can help develop better and more accurate management strategies for the conservation of native crayfish threatened by multiple stressors

Cambios en las condiciones físicas, químicas y faunísticas de un sistema fluvial (río Oma, Bizkaia), y desaparición de una población de cangrejo autóctono (Austropotamobius pallipes) : ¿causa y/o efecto?

El Oma (cuenca del río Oka, provincia de Bizkaia) es un pequeño río relativamente poco alterado que recorre terrenos de uso forestal, agrícola y ganadero. En él habitaba una población bien establecida de cangrejo autóctono Austropotamobius pallipes, pero ésta había desaparecido en el verano de 1995, sin que se hubieran registrado mortandades masivas como las características de un episodio de afanomicosis. En este trabajo se estudia la evolución de las condiciones fisicoquímicas y de las comunidades bentónicas estivales del río Oma desde el año 1994 hasta el 2001, comparado esta dinámica respecto a las condiciones generales que presentan los hábitats de otras poblaciones de cangrejo autóctono en la red fluvial del entorno. Aparte de esta desaparición del cangrejo, también se han detectado cambios en algunas condiciones del agua así como en la composición faunística de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados. Se describen estos cambios temporales y se discuten sus posibles causas, especialmente la que ha generado la extinción de la especie protegida (influencia de depredadores, pérdida de calidad de hábitat por vertidos o lixiviados, intervenciones en cauce), pero aunque en otras cuencas cercanas se ha podido encontrar la causa principal de mortandad y/o desaparición de cangrejos, no así en el Oma, en donde podría haber tenido lugar una sinergia entre varios factores. No obstante, la evolución temporal del sistema río en los últimos años parece presentar una tendencia a recuperar las condiciones que tenía en el año 1994, tanto en la fisicoquímica como en la composición faunística.The Oma (Oka basin, province of Biscay) is a relatively little perturbed river, which runs through places where the main activities are forestry, agriculture and cattle raising. The native crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes was well established on it but in the summer of 1995 this population had disappeared. Crayfish mass mortalities that could have been due to the crayfish plague were not detected. The main objective of this work is to study the changes of abiotic and biotic summer conditions of the Oma River from 1994 to 2001. The Oma River conditions are compared with the general conditions of the close fluvial reaches inhabited by native crayfish. In addition to the disappearance of the crayfish population, changes in water chemistry and faunal composition of the benthic community were detected. Temporal variations are described in this work and the possible causes are also discussed, especially those related with the extinction of the protected species (predators' influence, decrease of the habitat quality by leaches, works on the riverbed). We have been able to detect the main cause for the mortality and/or disappearance of crayfish in other close fluvial zones, but not in the Oma River. In this stream it could have been due to the synergic interaction of several factors. However, the temporal evolution of the river system in the last years seems to show a trend to recover the conditions of the river on both physicochemical quality and faunal composition, that had in 1994

Native breeds conservation, sustainable economies and usefulness

In the present essay it is sought to tackle, from the point of view of Economic Methodology, questions so like: Must native breeds be preserved?. As soon as this question is resolved, assigning and appraising its importance, is the question. What values are derived from the native breeds existence?: Value by the obtained profit of its current consumption; Option value; Cuasi-option value. What appraisal techniques must be utilized?: Native breeds are considered like a flow resource; its services will be released in the future if a determined stock level is maintained, through the autoreproduction. Irreversibility and option values. The traditional economic analysis use to assume that decisions about resources use are reversible. That is, depending on avaible information, an agent makes an utilization plan of a renovable resource like the native breed, for today and for the future. Now, it is assumed that a new information (scientific and technological advance) appears in the future, and as a result of that, the optimal program of a resource use must be changed. If the taken decisions in the T period were reversible, it is accepted the agent could change the way of using this resource if the optimization process requires it. Is there a real extinction danger of a private renovable resource? The extinction danger of a renovable resource (native breed), independently and although it is in private hands, public hands or it is free, is originated from a serie of economic and market factors.En el presente ensayo se pretende abordar, desde el punto de vista de la metodología económica, la cuestión de si se deben conservar las razas autóctonas. Una vez que se resuelve esta pregunta se deben establecer los valores derivados de la existencia de las razas autóctonas: Valor por la utilidad obtenida de su actual consumo; Valor de la opción; Valor cuasi-opción. ¿Qúe técnicas de valoración se han de utilizar?. Se consideran las razas autóctonas como un recurso flujo; es decir cuyos servicios se liberarán en el futuro si se mantiene un nivel de stock determinado, a través de la autorreproducción. Irreversibilidad y valores de opción. El análisis económico convencional asume normalmente que las decisiones sobre utilización de recursos son reversibles. Es decir, que según la información disponible un agente hace un plan de utilización de un recurso renovable como la raza autóctona, para hoy y para el futuro. Ahora asumimos que en el futuro aparece un nueva información (avance científico y tecnológico) y que como consecuencia el programa óptimo de utilización de un recurso debe cambiar. Si las decisiones tomadas en el periodo T fuesen reversibles estamos aceptando que el agente podría cambiar el modo de usar este recurso si lo exige el proceso de optimización. ¿Existe un peligro real de extinción de un recurso renovable privado?. El peligro de extinción de un recurso renovable (raza autóctona) independientemente y aunque esté en manos privadas, públicas o se tenga libre acceso al mismo, nace en base a una serie de factores económicos y de mercado

Proposal of a new erythemal UV radiation amplification factor

International audienceThis work is aimed to propose a natural expansion of radiation amplification factor (RAF) for erythemal irradiance to consider all solar zenith angles cases together. In this direction, the article analyzes the relationship between measurements of UV erythemal radiation (UVER) recorded at Badajoz (Spain) and the total ozone column estimated by the instrument TOMS/NASA for that location during the period February 2001?December 2005. The new RAF parameter is formulated by power equation using slant ozone and UVER atmospheric transmissivity values. Thus, reliable values of this parameter have been reported. These values could serve as a new relevant index for comparison with other studies and model's result. The new RAF is calculated with measurements recorded during completely clear cases using clearness index values higher than 0.75. The RAF value was 1.35±0.01, it is to say, when the slant ozone amount decreases 1% at Badajoz, UVER atmospheric transmissivity values and, therefore, UVER surface values approximately increase 1.35%. This result emphasizes the interest of measuring and monitoring simultaneous measurements of UV radiation and stratospheric ozone even for mid-latitudes. The influence of total ozone amount and cloudiness changes on new RAF values is analyzed. Cloud-free conditions allow to study the ozone influences while cloud effects are analyzed with all data by means of monthly average of slant ozone and UVER atmospheric transmissivities values

Rights of pasture: A strategy to conservare the extensive capríne breeds

Se plantea la utilización de los derechos de pastoreo como una estrategia de conservación de parques naturales, de la biodiversidad, así como de las economías y poblaciones asociadas. La creación de un "mercado de derechos" y la posterior asignación en base a los "derechos históricos" transforma a los ganaderos en gestores del medio ambiente, a la vez que posibilita la conservación de las razas autóctonas caprinas en peligro de extinción.It is proposed the use of the Rights of pasture like a strategy to conservate natural parks, biodiversity, as soon as connected economies and populations. The creation of a “Rights market” and the subsequent allotment on a basis of the “historical rights” transformes the cattles in environmental managers, while makes posible to conservate native carprine breds in extiction danger

Improving the solar zenith angle dependence of broadband UV radiometers calibration

International audienceThis paper focusses on the proposal of a new method for the calibration of broadband ultraviolet radiometers. The advantage of the method proposed is the accurate modelling of the dependence on the solar zenith angle. The new model is compared with other one-step calibration methods and with the two-step method, which requires the knowledge of the actual response of the broadband radiometer. For this purpose, three broadband radiometers are calibrated against a spectrophotometer of reference. The new method is validated comparing its predictions with the spectrophotometer measurements using an independent data set

Analysis of a low ozone episode over Extremadura (Spain) in January 2006 and its influence on UV radiation

The main objectives of this work are to analyze, firstly, the detail of the causes of a low ozone event which occurred in January 2006 and, secondly, the related effects of this anomalous episode on ultraviolet (UV) radiation measured at three locations in Extremadura (South-Western Spain). On 19 January 2006, the OMI total ozone column (TOC) was 16–20% below the January mean value of TOMS/NASA TOC (period 1996–2005). The back trajectories analysis with the HYSplit model indicates that the notable decrease of TOC could be attributed to a fast rise of the isentropic trajectories height. Concomitantly, UV erythemal radiation greatly increases (between 23% and 37%) on 19 January 2006 respect to UV erythemal radiation measured on 19 January 2005. This notable increase in winter UV solar radiation may involve harmful effects for organisms adapted to receive less radiation during that season (e.g. early developmental stages of terrestrial plants and phytoplankton)

Incidence, prevalence and persistence of bovine venereal diseases in La Pampa (Argentina): estimations for the period 2007 - 2020

The venereal diseases Bovine Trichomoniasis (BT) and Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC) cause economic losses in endemic areas, such as the province of La Pampa in Argentina, where bovine production is typically extensive. This study has used data compiled from 2007 to 2013 by the Official Program for the Control and Eradication (PCE) of venereal diseases, aiming to determine the prevalence, incidence and persistence of BT and BGC and to provide projections until 2020. Fourteen univariate models were used to adjust each time series. The prevalence and incidence of both diseases have significantly decreased during the studied period, while the persistence has remained constant. The prevalence of BT has diminished from 7.48% in 2007 to 3.03% in 2013, while the prevalence of BGC has diminished from 9.36% to 3.15%. The incidences have been reduced to an annual average of 0.60 for BT and 0.67 for BGC. Although the estimation models are not able to predict accurately the future epidemiologic rates of BT and BGC in La Pampa, projections show a significant decreasing trend of the prevalence and incidence of BT and BGC. The persistence of BGC is expected to remain close to the 2007-2013 average, while the persistence of BT did not adjust to any of the 14 models used. These results indicate that PCE has been effective to reduce the infection of disease-free herds. However, in order to reduce the ratio of persistent herds, other preventive and management measures should be considered. Highlights The venereal diseases Bovine Trichomoniasis (BT) and Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC) cause economic losses. Univariate analysis was an effective tool for modeling the historical and future prevalence, incidence and persistence of BT and BGC infections. The prevalence and incidence of BT and BGC have significantly decreased during the studied period, while the persistence has remained constant. The Official Program for the Control and Eradication (PCE) of venereal diseases, has been effective to reduce the infection of disease-free herds.The venereal diseases Bovine Trichomoniasis (BT) and Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC) cause economic losses in endemic areas, such as the province of La Pampa in Argentina, where bovine production is typically extensive. This study has used data compiled from 2007 to 2013 by the Official Program for the Control and Eradication (PCE) of venereal diseases, aiming to determine the prevalence, incidence and persistence of BT and BGC and to provide projections until 2020. Fourteen univariate models were used to adjust each time series. The prevalence and incidence of both diseases have significantly decreased during the studied period, while the persistence has remained constant. The prevalence of BT has diminished from 7.48% in 2007 to 3.03% in 2013, while the prevalence of BGC has diminished from 9.36% to 3.15%. The incidences have been reduced to an annual average of 0.60 for BT and 0.67 for BGC. Although the estimation models are not able to predict accurately the future epidemiologic rates of BT and BGC in La Pampa, projections show a significant decreasing trend of the prevalence and incidence of BT and BGC. The persistence of BGC is expected to remain close to the 2007-2013 average, while the persistence of BT did not adjust to any of the 14 models used. These results indicate that PCE has been effective to reduce the infection of disease-free herds. However, in order to reduce the ratio of persistent herds, other preventive and management measures should be considered. Highlights The venereal diseases Bovine Trichomoniasis (BT) and Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC) cause economic losses. Univariate analysis was an effective tool for modeling the historical and future prevalence, incidence and persistence of BT and BGC infections. The prevalence and incidence of BT and BGC have significantly decreased during the studied period, while the persistence has remained constant. The Official Program for the Control and Eradication (PCE) of venereal diseases, has been effective to reduce the infection of disease-free herds

Optimization and validation of a new microbial inhibition test for the detection of antimicrobial residues in living animals intended for human consumption

Even though antibiotics are necessary in livestock production, they can be harmful not only due to their toxicity, but also in view of their contribution to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Screening tests based on microbial growth inhibition appeared to be useful tools to prevent its entry into the food chain. They have nevertheless been traditionally carried out post mortem, leading to great economical loss and harm to the environment in case a positive sample is found. Hence, the objective was to evaluate the use of a screening test as an ante mortem alternative for the detection of antibiotic residues in meat: thus, Explorer®-Blood test was optimized and validated. After adapting the procedure for matrix preparation, the assay parameters were assessed from 344 antibiotic-free blood serum samples. Limits of Detection (LoDs) were defined by spiking blood serum with several of the most common antimicrobials used in veterinary practice. LoDs were similar to those obtained for meat and were at or below the maximum residue limits set by EU legislation for muscle. Analyses of in vivo injected samples, previously characterized by LC-MS/MS, demonstrated the method’s accuracy and proved that Explorer®-Blood can be considered a suitable alternative to conventional post mortem screening methods

Morphosedimentary and phytogeography reconstruction of the middle section of the river Jarama (Madrid, Spain) during the second half of the Holocene.

[Abstract] Two sites located on the alluvial plain of the Jarama River, near Madrid, Spain, have been studied using geological, palynological and xylological techniques. Uniquely for this region, numerous wood subfossils of Alnus and Ulmus have been found together with an strobile of Pinus halepensis. This has allowed the stablishment of a coherent radiocarbon chronology, which demonstrates that these sedimentary environments began to develop during the mid Holocene. The dated sediments, which also contains appreciable amounts of pollen, have been deposited upon older palaeosols which has in turn developed directly on the geological substrate. Palynological analyses of these levels have provided valuable insights into the floristic composition of the communities associated with the different biotopes present in the area. As a result of these multiproxy analyses an interpretation of Holocene landscape history and vegetation dynamics is presente