Meta-analysis review of fish trophic levels in marine protected areas based on stable isotope data

Stable isotopes (δ15N) have been used to determine trophic levels in marine food webs. This study assessed if Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) affect the trophic levels of fishes based on stable isotopes in the western Mediterranean. A total of 22 studies including 600 observations were found and the final dataset consisted of 11 fish species and 146 observations comparing trophic levels inside and outside MPAs. The database was analysed by meta-analysis and the covariate selected was the level of protection (inside vs. outside MPAs). The results indicate significant differences between trophic levels inside and outside the MPAs; however, results differ from expectations since the trophic level was lower inside than outside MPAs. Three habitats were analysed (coastal lagoons, demersal, and littoral) and significant statistical differences were found among them: trophic level was higher in demersal habitats than in coastal lagoons and littoral areas. No significant differences were found in species classified by trophic functional groups. Several hypotheses are considered as possible explanations linked to protection level, time since protection, and MPA size. We debate the suitability of using the stable isotope δ15N as a direct indicator of trophic level in evaluating MPA effects on food webs.Versión del editor0,568

A common approach to the conservation of threatened island vascular plants: First results in the mediterranean basin

The Mediterranean islands represent a center of vascular plant diversity featuring a high rate of endemic richness. Such richness is highly threatened, however, with many plants facing the risk of extinction and in need of urgent protection measures. The CARE-MEDIFLORA project promoted the use of ex situ collections to experiment with in situ active actions for threatened plants. Based on common criteria, a priority list of target plant species was elaborated, and germplasm conservation, curation and storage in seed banks was carried out. Accessions were duplicated in the seed banks of the partners or other institutions. Germination experiments were carried out on a selected group of threatened species. A total of 740 accessions from 429 vascular plants were stored in seed banks, and 410 seed germination experiments for 283 plants species were completed; a total of 63 in situ conservation actions were implemented, adopting different methodological protocols. For each conservation program, a specific monitoring protocol was implemented in collaboration with local and regional authorities. This project represents the first attempt to develop common strategies and an opportunity to join methods and methodologies focused on the conservation of threatened plants in unique natural laboratories such as the Mediterranean islands

INCREMENTO DE LA MATRÍCULA ESTUDIANTIL. FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD Y SERVICIO SOCIAL. UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE MAR DEL PLATA.

This publication comprises the productions of the Group of investigation: University, social representations and disciplines that are currently investigating the phenomenon of the increase in student registration regarding the organization aspect and the representations of the participants involved. It should be mentioned that the emphasis on this study is set on the description of the structural changes generated in the institution from the increase in the student registration. We should also say that in spite of being attached to the approach of the paradigm of the complexity, for reasons of length, this work will only show a part of the studied phenomenon. Objective: To investigate the changes in the institution in connection to the registration increase. Specific Objectives: To describe the curve of the registration increase. To compare the increase of registration with the rest of the Academic Units that comprises this University. To connect the increase of registration with the organizational answers: budgets, teaching staff, and building. Material and Method: Even if the work consisted of an investigation process, where different strategies were implemented to obtain data, in this case and for this aim, different registers, documents and teaching plans were used as analysis units, dealing with observational techniques and analysis of documents. Results: • From 1992 to present, an increase in student registration, both new students and new registrations in the general registration was observed. If the existing registration data from 1992 is used as a reference, the annual increase never dropped from 180 % from 1997 to present, noting the maximum peak in 2002, with an increase of 500 %. • Regarding the comparison between the increase in registration of this Academic Unit with the average increase of the rest of Academic Units that comprise the National University of Mar del Plata, it can be observed that since 1995 this school has exceeded the average regarding new registrations and since 1998 it has exceeded the general registration. • Between 1999 and 2007, no important increase took place in the teaching staff to accompany the increase of students. • The year 1992 was taken as a starting point, considering the registration and the existing classrooms as 100 % of the study, it resulted that these spaces did not go with the increase of registration. • The budget assigned for this Academic Unit has been from 2000 to present a percentage of 33 % lower than that assigned as an average to the rest of Academic Units in the National University of Mar del Plata. • Between 1999 and 2007, no important increase was produced in the teaching staff that accompanied the increase of students, but instead an internal restructuration of the existing positions. • The non-teaching staff, from 1999 to present, has been increased by 112 %. • Classroom Spaces: Between 1992, when there was a registration of 1,121 students and 2006, with a registration of 4,301 students, no increase has been produced in the classrooms.Esta publicación forma parte de las producciones del Grupo de investigación: Universidad, representaciones sociales y disciplinas, que se ocupa, en la actualidad, de indagar sobre el fenómeno del incremento en la matrícula estudiantil en cuanto a la respuesta organizacional y a las representaciones de los actores que la componen. Cabe aquí mencionar que el énfasis en esta exposición, está puesto en la descripción de los cambios estructurales generados en la institución a partir del incremento de la matrícula estudiantil. Se debe señalar, que a pesar de estar adscritos al enfoque del paradigma de la complejidad, por razones de extensión, se acota esta presentación a un recorte del fenómeno estudiado. Objetivo: Indagar sobre los cambios en la institución en relación con el incremento de la matrícula. Objetivos específicos: Describir la curva del incremento de la matrícula. Comparar el incremento de la matrícula con el resto de las Unidades Académicas que componen esta Universidad. Relacionar el incremento de la matrícula con las respuestas organizacionales –presupuesto, planta docente y espacio físico. Material y método: Si bien, el trabajo de campo consistió en un proceso de investigación en el que se implementaron diferentes estrategias para la obtención de los datos; en este caso para este objetivo, se utilizó como unidades de análisis diversos registros, documentos y planes docentes, abordándose desde las técnicas de observación y análisis documental. Resultados: • Se observa desde el año 1992 a la fecha, un incremento de la matrícula estudiantil, tanto de nuevos inscritos como de matrícula global. Si se toma como referencia la matrícula existente en 1992, el incremento anual nunca descendió del 180% desde el año 1997 a la fecha, observándose un pico máximo en el año 2002, con un incremento del 500%. • En cuanto a la comparación entre el incremento de la matrícula de esta Unidad Académica con el promedio del incremento del conjunto de las unidades académicas que componen a la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, se observa que a partir del año 1995 esta facultad supera al promedio en cuanto a Nuevos Inscritos, y desde 1998 lo supera para el caso de matrícula global. • Entre los años 1999 y 2007 no se produce un incremento significativo en la planta docente que acompañe el aumento de la matrícula estudiantil. • Se toma como punto de partida el año 1992 considerando la matrícula y los espacios áulicos existentes como el 100%, del estudio se deriva que éstos espacios no acompañaron el crecimiento de la matricula. • El presupuesto asignado para esta Unidad Académica ha sido desde el año 2000 a la fecha de un 33% menor al asignado como promedio al resto de las Unidades Académicas de la UNMDP. • Entre 1999 y 2007 no se produce un incremento significativo de la planta docente que acompañe el aumento de la matrícula, más bien reacomodamientos internos de los cargos existentes. • La planta no docente, desde el año 1999 a la fecha se ha incrementado en un 112%. • Espacios áulicos: entre los años 1992, en el que se contaba con una matrícula de 1121 estudiantes y el año 2006, en el que se contaba con una matrícula de 4301 estudiantes, no ha habido un incremento de espacios propios destinados a aulas

An early evaluation of translocation actions for endangered plant species on Mediterranean islands

In situ conservation is widely considered a primary conservation strategy. Plant translocation, specifically, represents an important tool for reducing the extinction risk of threatened species. However, thus far, few documented translocations have been carried out in the Mediterranean islands. The Care-Mediflora project, carried out on six Mediterranean islands, tackles both short- and long-term needs for the insular endangered plants through in situ and ex situ conservation actions. The project approach is based on using ex situ activities as a tool to improve in situ conservation of threatened plant species. Fifty island plants (representing 45 taxa)were selected for translocations using common criteria. During the translocations, several approaches were used, which differed in site selection method, origin of genetic material, type of propagative material, planting method, and more. Although only preliminary data are available, some general lessons can be learned from the experience of the Care-Mediflora project. Among the factors restricting the implementation of translocations, limited financial resources appear to be the most important. Specific preliminary management actions, sometimes to be reiterated after translocation, increase the overall cost, but often are necessary for translocation success. Translocation using juvenile/reproductive plants produces better results over the short term, although seeds may provide good results over the long run (to be assessed in the future). Regardless, plant translocation success can only be detected over long periods; therefore, proper evaluation of plant translocations requires a long-term monitoring protocol. Care-Mediflora project represents the first attempt to combine the existing approaches in a common plant conservation strategy specifically focusing on the Mediterranean islands