Human–wildlife interactions

The nature of wildlife management throughout the world is changing. The increase in the world’s human population has been accompanied by a rapid expansion of agricultural and urban areas and infrastructures, especially road and railway networks. Worldwide, wildlife habitats are being transformed and fragmented by human activities, and the behavior of several species has changed as a result of human activities. Some species have adapted easily to urban or peri–urban habitats and take advantage of the new resources available. These data provide the context for why human–wildlife interactions are increasing. At the 30th International Union of Game Biologists Congress held in Barcelona in early September 2011, in addition to two plenary presentations, 52 authors from 12 different countries and three continents presented 15 papers in the Interactions of Humans and Wildlife Session, three of which are included in this volume. To some extent, all the papers reflected the inherent difficulty in solving the complex problems caused either by rapidly increasing species that begin to inhabit urban and agricultural areas in numbers not seen previously (e.g. coyotes, Canis latrans, inhabiting big cities; wild boar, Sus scrofa, across western Europe; wood pigeons, Columba palumbus, in France), or species whose populations are threatened by human activities (e.g., Eurasian Lynx, Lynx lynx, in the Czech Republic). Some papers addressed the contentious issue of predator control (e.g., gamebirds in Great Britain), while others presented data regarding how human activities influenced animal behavior (e.g., pink footed geese, Anser brachyrhynchus; and red deer, Cervus elaphus, in Germany). The papers presented at the congress show how human activities affect the distributions and dynamics of wildlife populations and also change the behavior of some species. Wildlife causes social and economic conflicts by damaging agricultural and forest resources, bringing about traffic collisions, and creating problems for residents in urban areas; while many are increasingly distant from nature and may not accept the presence of wildlife others may actively encourage the presence of wild animals. The first paper in this volume, by Cahill et al. (2012), analyzes the management challenges of the increasing abundance of wild boar in the peri–urban area of Barcelona. This conflict has arisen in other large cities in Europe and elsewhere. The presence of the species causes problems for many residents, to such an extent that it is considered a pest in these areas. Wild boar habituation has not only been facilitated by population expansion, but also by the attitudes of some citizens who encourage their presence by direct feeding. This leads to wild boar behavior modification and also promotes an increase in the fertility rate of habituated females, which are significantly heavier than non–habituated females. Public attitudes regarding the species and harvesting methods (at present most specimens are removed by live capture and subsequently sacrificed) are highlighted as one of the key factors in the management of the conflict. The second paper provides an example of how the distribution of irrigated croplands influences wild boar roadkills in NW Spain (Colino–Rabanal et al., 2012). By modeling the spatial distribution of wild boar collisions with vehicles and using generalized additive models based on GIS, the authors show that the number of roadkills is higher in maize croplands than in forested areas. This factor is the main explanatory variable in the model. The paper provides an excellent example of how the synergies of diverse human elements in the landscape (maize croplands and roads in this case) affect the location and dimensions of these types of conflicts. The third and final paper, by Belotti et al. (2012), addresses the effects of tourism on Eurasian lynx movements and prey usage at Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic. The monitoring of 5 GPS–collared lynxes and analyses of data regarding habitat features suggests that human disturbance (proximity of roads and tourist trails) can modify the presence of lynxes during the day close to the site where they have hidden a prey item, such as an ungulate, that can provide them with food for several days. In such cases, adequate management of tourism development must involve a commitment to species conservation. The analyses and understanding of all these phenomena and the design of successful wildlife management strategies and techniques used to mitigate the conflicts require a good knowledge base that considers information both about wildlife and human attitudes. The papers presented stress the importance of spatial analyses of the interactions and their relationship with landscape features and the location of human activities. Species distribution and abundance are related to important habitat variables such as provision of shelter, food, comfortable spaces, and an appropriate climate. Therefore, it is essential to analyze these data adequately to predict where conflicts are most likely to arise and to design successful mitigation strategies. The second key factor for adequate management of human–wildlife interactions is to monitor system change. An analysis of the variety of data on population dynamics, hunting, wildlife collisions, and wildlife presence in urban areas would provide a basis for adaptive management. In this respect, in the plenary session, Steve Redpath mentioned the importance of the wildlife biologist’s attitude when interpreting and drawing conclusions from recorded data and stressed the importance of conducting clear, relevant, and transparent science for participants involved in the management decision process, which often involves a high number of stakeholders. All of the papers addressing the problems associated with human wildlife interactions were characterized by a common theme. Regardless of the specific nature of the problem, the public was generally divided on how the problem should be addressed. A particularly sensitive theme was that of population control methods, especially when conflicts are located in peri–urban areas. Several presenters acknowledged that public participation was necessary if a solution was to be reached. Some suggested, as have other authors (Heydon et al., 2010), that a legislative framework may be needed to reconcile human and wildlife interests. However, each problem that was presented appeared to involve multiple stakeholders with different opinions. Solving these kinds of problems is not trivial. Social factors strongly influence perceptions of human–wildlife conflicts but the methods used to mitigate these conflicts often take into account technical aspects but not people’s attitudes. A new, more innovative and interdisciplinary approach to mitigation is needed to allow us 'to move from conflict towards coexistence' (Dickman, 2010). Other authors also mentioned the importance of planning interventions that optimize the participation of experts, policy makers, and affected communities and include the explicit, systematic, and participatory evaluation of the costs and benefits of alternative interventions (Treves et al., 2009). One technique that has been used to solve problems like these is termed Structured Decision Making (SDM). This technique was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As described by Runge et al. (2009), the process is 'a formal application of common sense for situations too complex for the informal use of common sense', and provides a rational framework and techniques to aid in prescriptive decision making. Fundamentally, the process entails defining a problem, deciding upon the objectives, considering the alternative actions and the consequences for each, using the available science to develop a model (the plan), and then making the decision how to implement (Runge et al., 2009). Although complex, SDM uses a facilitator to guide stakeholders through the process to reach a mutually agreed–upon plan of action. It is clear that human–wildlife interactions are inherently complex because many stakeholders are usually involved. A rational approach that incorporates all interested parties would seem to be a productive way of solving these kinds of problems. References Cahill, S., Llimona, F., Cabañeros, L. & Calomardo, F., 2012. The increasing dilemma of wild boar (Sus scrofa) habituation to urban areas: traits from Collserola Park (Barcelona) and comparison with this problem in other cities. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35.2: 221–233. Colino–Rabanal, V. J., Bosch, J., Muñoz, Mª J. & Peris, S. J., 2012. Influence of new irrigation croplands on wild boar (Sus scrofa) roadkills in NW Spain. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35.2: 247–252. Belotti, E., Heurich, M., Kreisinger, J., Šustr, P. & Bufka, L., 2012. Prey usage by the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx): influence of human activity. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35.2: 235–246. Dickman, J. A., 2010. Complexities of conflict: the importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human–wildlife conflict. Animal Conservation, 13.5: 458–466. Heydon, M. J., 2010. Wildlife conflict resolution: a review of problems, solutions and regulation in England. Wildlife Research, 37.8: 731–748. Runge, M. C., Cochrane, J. F., Converse, S. J., Szymanski, J. A., Smith, D. R., Lyons, J. E., Eaton, M. J., Matz, A., Barrett, P., Nichols, J. D., Parkin, M.J., Motivans, K. & Brewer, D. C. 2009. Introduction to structured decision making, 5th edition. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA. Treves, A., Wallace, R. B. & White, S., 2009. Participatory planning of interventions to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts. Conservation Biology, 23.6: 1577–1587.The nature of wildlife management throughout the world is changing. The increase in the world’s human population has been accompanied by a rapid expansion of agricultural and urban areas and infrastructures, especially road and railway networks. Worldwide, wildlife habitats are being transformed and fragmented by human activities, and the behavior of several species has changed as a result of human activities. Some species have adapted easily to urban or peri–urban habitats and take advantage of the new resources available. These data provide the context for why human–wildlife interactions are increasing. At the 30th International Union of Game Biologists Congress held in Barcelona in early September 2011, in addition to two plenary presentations, 52 authors from 12 different countries and three continents presented 15 papers in the Interactions of Humans and Wildlife Session, three of which are included in this volume. To some extent, all the papers reflected the inherent difficulty in solving the complex problems caused either by rapidly increasing species that begin to inhabit urban and agricultural areas in numbers not seen previously (e.g. coyotes, Canis latrans, inhabiting big cities; wild boar, Sus scrofa, across western Europe; wood pigeons, Columba palumbus, in France), or species whose populations are threatened by human activities (e.g., Eurasian Lynx, Lynx lynx, in the Czech Republic). Some papers addressed the contentious issue of predator control (e.g., gamebirds in Great Britain), while others presented data regarding how human activities influenced animal behavior (e.g., pink footed geese, Anser brachyrhynchus; and red deer, Cervus elaphus, in Germany). The papers presented at the congress show how human activities affect the distributions and dynamics of wildlife populations and also change the behavior of some species. Wildlife causes social and economic conflicts by damaging agricultural and forest resources, bringing about traffic collisions, and creating problems for residents in urban areas; while many are increasingly distant from nature and may not accept the presence of wildlife others may actively encourage the presence of wild animals. The first paper in this volume, by Cahill et al. (2012), analyzes the management challenges of the increasing abundance of wild boar in the peri–urban area of Barcelona. This conflict has arisen in other large cities in Europe and elsewhere. The presence of the species causes problems for many residents, to such an extent that it is considered a pest in these areas. Wild boar habituation has not only been facilitated by population expansion, but also by the attitudes of some citizens who encourage their presence by direct feeding. This leads to wild boar behavior modification and also promotes an increase in the fertility rate of habituated females, which are significantly heavier than non–habituated females. Public attitudes regarding the species and harvesting methods (at present most specimens are removed by live capture and subsequently sacrificed) are highlighted as one of the key factors in the management of the conflict. The second paper provides an example of how the distribution of irrigated croplands influences wild boar roadkills in NW Spain (Colino–Rabanal et al., 2012). By modeling the spatial distribution of wild boar collisions with vehicles and using generalized additive models based on GIS, the authors show that the number of roadkills is higher in maize croplands than in forested areas. This factor is the main explanatory variable in the model. The paper provides an excellent example of how the synergies of diverse human elements in the landscape (maize croplands and roads in this case) affect the location and dimensions of these types of conflicts. The third and final paper, by Belotti et al. (2012), addresses the effects of tourism on Eurasian lynx movements and prey usage at Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic. The monitoring of 5 GPS–collared lynxes and analyses of data regarding habitat features suggests that human disturbance (proximity of roads and tourist trails) can modify the presence of lynxes during the day close to the site where they have hidden a prey item, such as an ungulate, that can provide them with food for several days. In such cases, adequate management of tourism development must involve a commitment to species conservation. The analyses and understanding of all these phenomena and the design of successful wildlife management strategies and techniques used to mitigate the conflicts require a good knowledge base that considers information both about wildlife and human attitudes. The papers presented stress the importance of spatial analyses of the interactions and their relationship with landscape features and the location of human activities. Species distribution and abundance are related to important habitat variables such as provision of shelter, food, comfortable spaces, and an appropriate climate. Therefore, it is essential to analyze these data adequately to predict where conflicts are most likely to arise and to design successful mitigation strategies. The second key factor for adequate management of human–wildlife interactions is to monitor system change. An analysis of the variety of data on population dynamics, hunting, wildlife collisions, and wildlife presence in urban areas would provide a basis for adaptive management. In this respect, in the plenary session, Steve Redpath mentioned the importance of the wildlife biologist’s attitude when interpreting and drawing conclusions from recorded data and stressed the importance of conducting clear, relevant, and transparent science for participants involved in the management decision process, which often involves a high number of stakeholders. All of the papers addressing the problems associated with human wildlife interactions were characterized by a common theme. Regardless of the specific nature of the problem, the public was generally divided on how the problem should be addressed. A particularly sensitive theme was that of population control methods, especially when conflicts are located in peri–urban areas. Several presenters acknowledged that public participation was necessary if a solution was to be reached. Some suggested, as have other authors (Heydon et al., 2010), that a legislative framework may be needed to reconcile human and wildlife interests. However, each problem that was presented appeared to involve multiple stakeholders with different opinions. Solving these kinds of problems is not trivial. Social factors strongly influence perceptions of human–wildlife conflicts but the methods used to mitigate these conflicts often take into account technical aspects but not people’s attitudes. A new, more innovative and interdisciplinary approach to mitigation is needed to allow us 'to move from conflict towards coexistence' (Dickman, 2010). Other authors also mentioned the importance of planning interventions that optimize the participation of experts, policy makers, and affected communities and include the explicit, systematic, and participatory evaluation of the costs and benefits of alternative interventions (Treves et al., 2009). One technique that has been used to solve problems like these is termed Structured Decision Making (SDM). This technique was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As described by Runge et al. (2009), the process is 'a formal application of common sense for situations too complex for the informal use of common sense', and provides a rational framework and techniques to aid in prescriptive decision making. Fundamentally, the process entails defining a problem, deciding upon the objectives, considering the alternative actions and the consequences for each, using the available science to develop a model (the plan), and then making the decision how to implement (Runge et al., 2009). Although complex, SDM uses a facilitator to guide stakeholders through the process to reach a mutually agreed–upon plan of action. It is clear that human–wildlife interactions are inherently complex because many stakeholders are usually involved. A rational approach that incorporates all interested parties would seem to be a productive way of solving these kinds of problems. References Cahill, S., Llimona, F., Cabañeros, L. & Calomardo, F., 2012. The increasing dilemma of wild boar (Sus scrofa) habituation to urban areas: traits from Collserola Park (Barcelona) and comparison with this problem in other cities. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35.2: 221–233. Colino–Rabanal, V. J., Bosch, J., Muñoz, Mª J. & Peris, S. J., 2012. Influence of new irrigation croplands on wild boar (Sus scrofa) roadkills in NW Spain. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35.2: 247–252. Belotti, E., Heurich, M., Kreisinger, J., Šustr, P. & Bufka, L., 2012. Prey usage by the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx): influence of human activity. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35.2: 235–246. Dickman, J. A., 2010. Complexities of conflict: the importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human–wildlife conflict. Animal Conservation, 13.5: 458–466. Heydon, M. J., 2010. Wildlife conflict resolution: a review of problems, solutions and regulation in England. Wildlife Research, 37.8: 731–748. Runge, M. C., Cochrane, J. F., Converse, S. J., Szymanski, J. A., Smith, D. R., Lyons, J. E., Eaton, M. J., Matz, A., Barrett, P., Nichols, J. D., Parkin, M.J., Motivans, K. & Brewer, D. C. 2009. Introduction to structured decision making, 5th edition. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA. Treves, A., Wallace, R. B. & White, S., 2009. Participatory planning of interventions to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts. Conservation Biology, 23.6: 1577–1587.The nature of wildlife management throughout the world is changing. The increase in the world’s human population has been accompanied by a rapid expansion of agricultural and urban areas and infrastructures, especially road and railway networks. Worldwide, wildlife habitats are being transformed and fragmented by human activities, and the behavior of several species has changed as a result of human activities. Some species have adapted easily to urban or peri–urban habitats and take advantage of the new resources available. These data provide the context for why human–wildlife interactions are increasing. At the 30th International Union of Game Biologists Congress held in Barcelona in early September 2011, in addition to two plenary presentations, 52 authors from 12 different countries and three continents presented 15 papers in the Interactions of Humans and Wildlife Session, three of which are included in this volume. To some extent, all the papers reflected the inherent difficulty in solving the complex problems caused either by rapidly increasing species that begin to inhabit urban and agricultural areas in numbers not seen previously (e.g. coyotes, Canis latrans, inhabiting big cities; wild boar, Sus scrofa, across western Europe; wood pigeons, Columba palumbus, in France), or species whose populations are threatened by human activities (e.g., Eurasian Lynx, Lynx lynx, in the Czech Republic). Some papers addressed the contentious issue of predator control (e.g., gamebirds in Great Britain), while others presented data regarding how human activities influenced animal behavior (e.g., pink footed geese, Anser brachyrhynchus; and red deer, Cervus elaphus, in Germany). The papers presented at the congress show how human activities affect the distributions and dynamics of wildlife populations and also change the behavior of some species. Wildlife causes social and economic conflicts by damaging agricultural and forest resources, bringing about traffic collisions, and creating problems for residents in urban a

Penicillium aureocephalum Munt.-Cvetk., Hoyo et Gómez-Bolea, un interessant ascomicet anamòrfic amb aspecte de mixomicet : distribució, ecologia i fenologia

Cinc anys després de la descripció de Penicillium aureocephalum per Muntañola-Cvetkovic, Hoyo i GórnezBolea, els autors del present treball han anat afegint Inés dades de camp a les ja existents, que comencen a subministrar una imatge més viva d'aquest curiós anamorf saprotrófic dins de les comunitats naturals on esporula. El present treball és un resum d'aquestes dades corológiques, ecológiques i fenológiques, acompanyat de comentaris. La principal conclu sió és que I'espécie se' ns presenta com un fong termófil que colonit za preferentm ent fulles caigudes de surera (Quercus suber), que han mort a l' arbre per la calor produída per incendis, pero que també pot créixer, menys sovint, sobre altres substrats, com ara fulles o fruits de Cistus salviifolius, C. ladanifer, Quercus coccifera, etc. que han estat descarre gats per les plantes com a resposta a un fort estrés hídric. El treball inclou un mapa de la distribuci ó de I'espécie en el Pare Natural del Cap de Creus, fins ara I' área óptima de creixement, i un altre mapa amb la distribució coneguda actualment en els Paisos Catalans, on apareix provisionahnent endémica. S'ofereix un estudi macrofotográfic de l'especie, útil per ajudar els mic ólegs a trobar noves localitat s d'aquest curiosa especie d'anamorf, tan diferent de les més conegudes de Penicillium , ja que té aspect e de mixomic et, que es comporta COIll a term ófila i saprotrófica sobre fulles riques en nutrients.Five years after the description of Penicillium aureocephalum by Muntañola-C vetkovic, Hoyo and G ómez-Bolea, an increasing wealth of field data has been gathered by the authors, which provide a vivid image of the anamorph of this curious saprotrophic species. Chorological, ecological and phenological data are here summarized and discussed. The species appears to be thermophilou s, preferentially colonizing fallen leaves of cork trees (Quercus suber) killed by wildfires, but also growing sometimes on other substrata, such as dead leaves of Cistus salviifolius,C. ladanifer, Quercus coccifera, etc. which may have dropped as a response to severe water stress. A distribution map of the species in the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, which apparently is its natural habitat and another nowith showing the currently known distribution in the Catalan Countries, are given. A macrophotographic survey ofthe species is also included in order to aid in the recognition of this curious myxomycete-looking thermophilou s, anamorphic species, saprotrophic on nutrient-rich substrata, and so different from the usual Penicillium taxa

Aportación al conocimiento de la flora cormofítica de Almería (SE. de España)

Contribution to the cormophytic flora of Almería (SE Spain). We report 249 taxa, mainly found in the transverse ranges of Almería. Some of them are new to the province or rarely found: Asplenium sptentrionale (L.) Hoffm. Asplenium onopteris L. Digitalis purpurea L. var. nevadensis Amo Lotus granatensis Zertova Scirpus setaceus L. Carex nevadensis Boiss et Reut.Aportación al conocimiento de la flora cormofítica de Almería (SE de España). Se da cuenta del hallazgo de 249 táxones en zonas pertenecientes a la provincia corológica murciano-almeriense (Sierras Alhamilla, Cabrera, alrededores de Mojácar y depresión de Tabernas) y bética (Sierra de los Filabres, extremo E de Sierra Nevada). Podemos destacar, por ser plantas no citadas o poco conocidas del SE de España, las que figuran en el resumen inglés

Treatment of hemorrhagic shock with hypertonic saline solution modulates the inflammatory response to live bacteria in lungs

Shock and resuscitation render patients more susceptible to acute lung injury due to an exacerbated immune response to subsequent inflammatory stimuli. To study the role of innate immunity in this situation, we investigated acute lung injury in an experimental model of ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) followed by an early challenge with live bacteria. Conscious rats (N = 8 in each group) were submitted to controlled hemorrhage and resuscitated with isotonic saline (SS, 0.9% NaCl) or hypertonic saline (HS, 7.5% NaCl) solution, followed by intratracheal or intraperitoneal inoculation of Escherichia coli. After infection, toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 mRNA expression was monitored by RT-PCR in infected tissues. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukins 6 and 10 were determined by ELISA. All animals showed similar hemodynamic variables, with mean arterial pressure decreasing to nearly 40 mmHg after bleeding. HS or SS used as resuscitation fluid yielded equal hemodynamic results. Intratracheal E. coli inoculation per se induced a marked neutrophil infiltration in septa and inside the alveoli, while intraperitoneal inoculation-associated neutrophils and edema were restricted to the interseptal space. Previous I-R enhanced lung neutrophil infiltration upon bacterial challenge when SS was used as reperfusion fluid, whereas neutrophil influx was unchanged in HS-treated animals. No difference in TLR expression or cytokine secretion was detected between groups receiving HS or SS. We conclude that HS is effective in reducing the early inflammatory response to infection after I-R, and that this phenomenon is achieved by modulation of factors other than expression of innate immunity components.FAPESPFundação Faculdade de MedicinaCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Seguimiento de las guías españolas para el manejo del asma por el médico de atención primaria: un estudio observacional ambispectivo

Objetivo Evaluar el grado de seguimiento de las recomendaciones de las versiones de la Guía española para el manejo del asma (GEMA 2009 y 2015) y su repercusión en el control de la enfermedad. Material y métodos Estudio observacional y ambispectivo realizado entre septiembre del 2015 y abril del 2016, en el que participaron 314 médicos de atención primaria y 2.864 pacientes. Resultados Utilizando datos retrospectivos, 81 de los 314 médicos (25, 8% [IC del 95%, 21, 3 a 30, 9]) comunicaron seguir las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2009. Al inicio del estudio, 88 de los 314 médicos (28, 0% [IC del 95%, 23, 4 a 33, 2]) seguían las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2015. El tener un asma mal controlada (OR 0, 19, IC del 95%, 0, 13 a 0, 28) y presentar un asma persistente grave al inicio del estudio (OR 0, 20, IC del 95%, 0, 12 a 0, 34) se asociaron negativamente con tener un asma bien controlada al final del seguimiento. Por el contrario, el seguimiento de las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2015 se asoció de manera positiva con una mayor posibilidad de que el paciente tuviera un asma bien controlada al final del periodo de seguimiento (OR 1, 70, IC del 95%, 1, 40 a 2, 06). Conclusiones El escaso seguimiento de las guías clínicas para el manejo del asma constituye un problema común entre los médicos de atención primaria. Un seguimiento de estas guías se asocia con un control mejor del asma. Existe la necesidad de actuaciones que puedan mejorar el seguimiento por parte de los médicos de atención primaria de las guías para el manejo del asma. Objective: To assess the degree of compliance with the recommendations of the 2009 and 2015 versions of the Spanish guidelines for managing asthma (Guía Española para el Manejo del Asma [GEMA]) and the effect of this compliance on controlling the disease. Material and methods: We conducted an observational ambispective study between September 2015 and April 2016 in which 314 primary care physicians and 2864 patients participated. Results: Using retrospective data, we found that 81 of the 314 physicians (25.8%; 95% CI 21.3–30.9) stated that they complied with the GEMA2009 recommendations. At the start of the study, 88 of the 314 physicians (28.0%; 95% CI 23.4–33.2) complied with the GEMA2015 recommendations. Poorly controlled asthma (OR, 0.19; 95% CI 0.13–0.28) and persistent severe asthma at the start of the study (OR, 0.20; 95% CI 0.12–0.34) were negatively associated with having well-controlled asthma by the end of the follow-up. In contrast, compliance with the GEMA2015 recommendations was positively associated with a greater likelihood that the patient would have well-controlled asthma by the end of the follow-up (OR, 1.70; 95% CI 1.40–2.06). Conclusions: Low compliance with the clinical guidelines for managing asthma is a common problem among primary care physicians. Compliance with these guidelines is associated with better asthma control. Actions need to be taken to improve primary care physician compliance with the asthma management guidelines

Characteristics of wild boar (Sus scrofa) habituation to urban areas in the Collserola Natural Park (Barcelona) and comparison with other locations

The parallel growth of urban areas and wild boar populations in recent years has increased the presence of this species around cities and in suburban areas, often leading to conflict with local people. In the Collserola Natural Park, situated within the metropolitan area of Barcelona, wild boar have become habituated to humans and urban settings because of direct feeding by local residents. Their attraction to these areas due to an abundance of anthropogenic food sources is especially strong during the warmer summer season when foraging conditions are poorer in their natural woodland habitat; the number of captures of habituated wild boar in peri–urban areas is significantly correlated with mean monthly temperatures. Habituated boar are primarily matriarchal groups, whereas adult and sub–adult (>1 year) males are significantly less represented than in non–habituated boars. In Collserola, habituated sub–adult and adult females are significantly heavier than their non–habituated counterparts and these weight differences increase with age; in the > 3 year–old age class they may be 35% heavier. Conflicts generated by the presence of wild boar in peri–urban areas are complex, and the responses by authorities are similarly diverse and often exacerbated by ambivalent public attitudes, both towards wild boar presence and applied mitigation measures. By 2010, at least 44 cities in 15 countries had reported problems of some kind relating to the presence of wild boar or feral pigs

The Program on Mycological Biodiversity of western lowland Catalonia. Presentation and first results.

[EN]Last autumn (1994) was exceptional in the area, in rain, air humidity and temperature, This enabled us to plan and to perform an intensive mycological survey (59 excursions. 64 localities prospected) of an area that is low and dry, rarely explored. The preliminar catalogue included here lacks a number of taxa as yet unidentified and has also been cleared of a set of trivial species, but the 170 taxa it includes should be useful to give a first idea about the xero-thermophilous mediterranean fungus flora in the area, mainly in the calcicolous bushlands (Rosmarino-Ericion), pine-groves of Pinus halepensis, and open and sunny soils. Some taxa are rarely reported: Eutryblidiella hysterina, Helvella villosa, Agaricus pilatianus. Amanita boudieri, Calyptella capula, Ceriporia bresadolae. Coprinus vosoustii, Henningsomyces puber, Hygrophorus carneogriseus, Marasmius corbariensis, Phellinus punetatus, Ramicola iberica, Skeletocutis percandida, Tulostoma nanum, T. occidentale, T. xerophilum, Typhula setines, Xerocomus ichnusanus, and some others have been found outstandingly widespread and abundant: Mycocalicium minutellum, Amanita ovoidea, CIitocybe alexandri, C. umbilicata, Entoloma rusticoides, Hebeloma edurum, Inocybe roseipes, Lepista rickenii. Lopharia spadicea, Omphalotus olearius. Phaeotellus rickenii, Polyporus meridionalis, Suillus bellinii, S. collinitus, Volvariella speciosa, Mucilago crustacea. The Program is planned for some further years, in order to improve the survey.[CAT] La tardor de 1994 ha presentat unes condicions molt favorables de pluviositat, humitat i temperatura, que han permès un estudi intensiu (59 excursiol1s. 64 localitats) de la par! occidental. baixa i seca. de Catalunya. de la qual es tenien molt poques dades micològiques. El catàleg preliminar que oferim, amb tot i l’absència de moltes espècies pendents d'estudi o confirmació, i també de les més eurioiques, considerades poe característiques, conté 170 especies, i permet fer-se una idea de la nora fúngica xero-termòfila mediterrània, especialment, la de les brolles, pinedes i espais oberts. Al costat d'algunes especies poc citades, com Eutryblidiella hysterina, Helvella villosa, Agaricus pilatianus. Amanita boudieri, Calyptella capula, Ceriporia bresadolae. Coprinus vosoustii, Henningsomyces puber, Hygrophorus carneogriseus, Marasmius corbariensis, Phellinus punetatus, Ramicola iberica, Skeletocutis percandida, Tulostoma nanum, T. occidentale, T. xerophilum, Typhula setines, Xerocomus ichnusanus, d'altres han mostrat ulla abundància inusitada, com Mycocalicium minutellum, Amanita ovoidea, CIitocybe alexandri, C. umbilicata, Entoloma rusticoides, Hebeloma edurum, Inocybe roseipes, Lepista rickenii. Lopharia spadicea, Omphalotus olearius. Phaeotellus rickenii, Polyporus meridionalis, Suillus bellinii, S. collinitus, Volvariella speciosa, Mucilago crustacea. És previst continuar les prospeccions, per a completar aquesta primera visió.Agraïm en primer lloc que l'lnstitut d'Estudis Catalans s'hagi fet carrec de les despeses de prospecció.Peer reviewe