Algunos líquenes interesantes de El Teleno (León, NW de España).

El Teleno es un monte situado en la Sierra del mismo nombre, con una altitud de 2185 m., y que forma parte de los Montes de León. Destacan en él, los sustratos ácidos (cuarcitas, pizarras y areniscas). De los líquenes saxícolas que colonizan estos sustratos en alturas superiores a los 1700 m., realizamos un comentario de aquellos más interesantes, destacando entre otros: Chrysotrix chlorina, Fuscidea intercincta,Lecideafurvella,Schaereria tenebrosa, Bellemerea alpina,Lecanora frustulosa,Orphniosporamoriopsis var. bahusiensis, Rhizocarpon ferax, Rhizocarpon hochstetteri, Umbilicaria fi-eyi y Umbilicaria hyperboreaEl Teleno is a mountain placed in the mountain-chain with the same name. It is 2185 meters high and is a part of the Montes de León. It has acid substrata (quartzites,slates and sandstones). It is made a commentary of the saxicolous lichens living on those substrata over 1700 m., emphasizing among others: Chrysotrix chlorina, Fuscidea intercincta, Lecidea furvella, Schaereria tenebrosa, Bellemerea alpina, Lecanora frustulosa, Orphniospora moriopsis var. bahusiensis, Rhizocarpon ferax, Rhizocarpon hochstetteri, Umbilicaria freyi y Umbilicaria hyperborea

Química y distribución de Umbilicaria freyi, U. grisea y U. hirsuta en la Peninsula Ibérica.

Se realiza un estudio químico comparado de Umbilicaria freyi Codogno & al., una nueva especie descrita recientemente, y de sus especies afines U. hirsuta (Sw.) Ach. y U.grisea Hoffm. Se aportan nuevos datos sobre la distribución y ecología de estos tres táxones en la Península Ibérica.Chemistry and distribution of Umbilicaria freyi, U. grisea and U. hirsuta on the Iberian península: This paper reports a comparative chemical study of Umbilicaria freyi Codogno & al., a species recently described, and the related species U. hirsuta (Sw.) Ach. and U. grisea Hoffm. New data about the distribution and ecology of these three taxa on the Iberian peninsula are presented

In situ comparison of Daily Photosynthetic Activity Patterns of Saxicolous Lichens and Mosses in Sierra de Guadarrama. Central Spain

11 pages, figures, and tables statistics.Diurnal time courses ofin situ photosynthetic acñvity oflichens and mosses growing on a granitic boulder in Sierra de Guadarrama, central Spain, were measured during five days in October, 1993. A portable chlorophyll fluorometer was used for assessing photosynthetic activity offour lichen and two bryophyte species together with photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) incident at the thallus surface and thallus temperature. The quantum efficiency of photosystem 11 (PSII; AF/Fm'), and the apparent electrón transpon rate through PSIl (AF/Fm' X PPFD) were calculated. The weather changed from wet to dry conditions during the period of measurements. Exposure- and species-related differences in the photosynthetic performance were observed. Both moss species, Hedwigia ciliata and Grimmia pulvinata, showed no sign of thallus drying and the photochemical efficiency of both species was mainly controlled by the diel patterns of PPFD. In contras!, water loss was the majar limiting factor for metabolic activity in the lichen species. Exposure- and species-related changes in thallus color indicating water loss occurred as early as on 18 October in Umbilicaria spodochroa and with a 24-hr-delay in Lasallia hispánica and Umbilicaria grísea (19 October). In Lasallia pustulata thallus color changes were visible only on 20 October when dry weather induced severe dehydration in all lichen species. Within the same species, different microhabitat resulted in a different physiological performance depending on water balances as well as on PPFD conditions. The data demónstrate the potential of fie Id measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence as a non-intrusive tool for the analysis of the in situ photosynthetic performance of poikilohydric organisms without altering rates of water loss and uptake, which are always crucial in the photosynthetic performance of poikilohydric organisms under natural conditions.The authors thank A. Crespo, A. Pintado, F. Sojo, Madrid, and S. Schroeter, Kiel, for companionship in the field. E. Fuertes, Madrid, is thanked for the determinaron of the moss samples. Valuable assistance with the english manuscript was supplied by T. G. A. Oreen, Hamilton, NZ. The Estación Biogeológica del Ventorillo (CSIC) is thanked for logistic support during the field work. Financial support was provided by the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (ANT94-0905) and a travel grant to BS by WTZ 035.2 (BMBF).Peer reviewe

k-Gaps: a novel technique for clustering incomplete climatological time series

In this paper, we show a new clustering technique (k-gaps) aiming to generate a robust regionalization using sparse climate datasets with incomplete information in space and time. Hence, this method provides a new approach to cluster time series of different temporal lengths, using most of the information contained in heterogeneous sets of climate records that, otherwise, would be eliminated during data homogenization procedures. The robustness of the method has been validated with different synthetic datasets, demonstrating that k-gaps performs well with sample-starved datasets and missing climate information for at least 55% of the study period. We show that the algorithm is able to generate a climatically consistent regionalization based on temperature observations similar to those obtained with complete time series, outperforming other clustering methodologies developed to work with fragmentary information. k-Gaps clusters can therefore provide a useful framework for the study of long-term climate trends and the detection of past extreme events at regional scales

Summer activity patterns for a moss and lichen in the maritime Antarctic with respect to altitude

There is considerable scientific interest as to how terrestrial biodiversity in Antarctica might respond, or be expected to respond, to climate change. The two species of vascular plant confined to the Antarctic Peninsula have shown clear gains in density and range extension. However, little information exists for the dominant components of the flora, lichens and bryophytes. One approach has been to look at change in biodiversity using altitude as a proxy for temperature change and previous results for Livingston Island suggested that temperature was the controlling factor. We have extended this study at the same site by using chlorophyll fluorometers to monitor activity and microclimate of the lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, and the moss, Hymenoloma crispulum. We confirmed the same lapse rate in temperature but show that changes in water relations with altitude is probably the main driver. There were differences in water source with U. aurantiaco-atra benefitting from water droplet harvesting and the species performed substantially better at the summit. In contrast, activity duration, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic modelling all show desiccation to have a large negative impact on the species at the lowest site. We conclude that water relations are the main drivers of biodiversity change along the altitudinal gradient with nutrients, not measured here, as another possible contributor

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

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

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

Plant ecology in Antarctica

A menudo se ha descrito la vida vegetal en la Antártida como extremadamente pobre y ecológicamente simple. Sin embargo, esto sólo es cierto si nos referimos a las localidades más inhóspitas de la Antártida continental. En la región conocida como Antártida marítima, costa occidental de la Península Antártica e islas adyacentes, la situación es bien distinta. El número de especies de líquenes supera las 350 y se han descrito más de 100 especies de musgos y hepáticas, aunque sólo existen dos plantas con flores. En el ámbito de la ecología vegetal, la cuestión fundamental que ha preocupado a los investigadores hasta ahora es si los líquenes y musgos de la Antártida presentan algún tipo de adaptación que les permita sobrevivir mejor que otras plantas en este medio. Un segundo aspecto de gran interés en la actualidad es determinar la capacidad de adaptación de la flora antártica ante el aumento de la radiación ultravioleta (UV) como consecuencia del agujero de ozono, y ante el calentamiento global. Los líquenes antárticos se han mostrado muy tolerantes a amplios periodos de frío y sequía y son capaces de mantener una fotosíntesis activa a temperatura por debajo del punto de congelación, sin embargo algunas de las especies estudiadas no son capaces de mantener tasas positivas de fotosíntesis si la temperatura sube dos o tres grados. Por otra parte, tanto musgos como líquenes se muestran muy resistentes a la radiación UV. Los líquenes y comunidades microbianas de los Valles Secos y Montañas Transantárticas no parecen limitados por la más dura combinación de frío, sequedad y radiación que se produce en nuestro planeta. Estas especies son excelentes candidatos para experimentos de astrobiología en el espacio exterior, con el fin de demostrar la capacidad de supervivencia de células complejas originadas en la Tierra a posibles transferencias interplanetarias.Plant life in Antarctica has often been described as extremely poor and ecologically simple. However, this is really only true when we are referring to the most inhospitable localities of the continental Antarctica. In the region known as maritime Antarctica, which includes the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands, the situation is very different. The number of lichen species is above 350 and more than 100 species of mosses and hepatics have been described although only two flowering plants are present. One of the main questions that has always interested plant ecologists is whether Antarctic lichens and mosses possess some type of adaptation mechanism that allows them to survive better than other plants under such extreme conditions. A second area of interest at present is to determine the capacity of Antarctic plants to adapt to climate change, for example, to increasing UV radiation as a consequence of the ozone hole and to global warming. Both mosses and lichens have proven to be very resistant to UV radiation and appear able to adapt rapidly to this stress. Antarctic lichens are also very tolerant of long periods of cold and drought and can carry out active photosynthesis at temperatures below the freezing-point, which contrasts with some of the studied species being unable to reach positive carbon gain if the temperature rises only two or three degrees. The lichens and microbial communities of the Dry Valleys and Transantarctic Mountains do not seem to be limited by the most extreme combination of cold, dryness and radiation on our planet. These species are excellent candidates for astrobiology experiments in outer space in order to demonstrate the capacity of survival of complex cells, originating on the Earth, for possible interplanetary transfer.Proyectos CGL2006-12179-C02, POL2006-08405 y CTM2009-12838-C04-01

Descripción del microclima en dos comunidades liquénicas del semiárido de la Península Ibérica.

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las condiciones mieroclimáticas en dos comunidades liquénicas del Sureste semiárido de la Península Ibérica, una costera situada en el Barranco del Sabinar (Cabo de Gata, San José) y otra del interior, en el Barranco del Cautivo (Desierto de Tabernas, Tabernas). En el primer caso se eligieron dos líquenes saxícolas, Xanthoria parietina y Parmelia pulla desarrollados sobre rocas volcánicas andesíticas para situar en sus proximidades sensores de temperatura, radiación fotosintéticamente activa y humedad relativa. En el segundo, se estudiaron, utilizando la misma metodología, dos líquenes terrícolas que se desarrollaban sobre laderas margosas, Diploschistes diacapsis y Parmelia pokarn0. Las medidas se efectuaron de forma continua cada 20 minutos desde marzo de 1998 a febrero de 1999_ Las condiciones microclimáticas en la localidad del interior fueron más continentales que en la costa en consonancia con las condiciones macroclimáticas. La intensidad media de la radiación en la localidad del interior era menos intensa que en la costa pero el descenso en la humedad relativa fue más acusado en el interior. El color oscuro del córtex de las especies de Parmelia contribuyó a las altas temperaturas de los talos con fuertes intensidades luminosas, pero el microhábitat más expuesto del talo de Diploshistes diacapsis favoreció un aumento en la temperatura del talo en condiciones de menor radiación. Xanthoria parietina mostró una preferencia en exposiciones donde la humedad relativa variaba rápidamente

Macrolichen communities depend on phorophyte in Conguillío National Park, Chile

2023 Descuento MDPIThe community composition of epiphytic macrolichens from two tree species (Araucaria araucana and Nothofagus antarctica) was conducted in temperate forests in the Conguillío National Park, Chile. The composition of lichen biota is influenced by phorophyte species, bark pH, and microclimatic conditions. A total of 31 species of macrolichens were found on A. araucana and N. antarctica. Most of the species showed phorophyte preference, with nine being exclusive to A. araucana and 10 to N. antarctica. The detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicated the formation of three communities: one representing macrolichens growing on N. antarctica and two others growing chiefly on A. araucana, either with north or south exposure. More work is needed to study the lichen biota of the forests of the Chilean Andes, which are under multiple threats, including clearing and climate change. In order to counteract such risks to native forests and to the biodiversity of the associated epiphytic lichens, conservation plans should be established that consider the factors that influence the composition of the lichen community.Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile)Depto. de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y BotánicaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEpubDescuento UC