Distribution and conservation status of the trees and shrubs of the Polylepis genus (Rosaceae) in the mountains of Argentina

El género Polylepis es endémico de las montañas de Sudamérica. Sus especies frecuentemente dominan la canopia de bosques y arbustales cuya conservación y restauración son una prioridad a nivel continental. En Argentina, el género incluye cinco especies que se distribuyen en las montañas del centro y noroeste del país. Sus distribuciones, amenazas y estados de conservación están poco documentados e incluso existen fuertes controversias sobre el grado en que el Hombre ha impactado en la cobertura, la estructura y la distribución de estos bosques. Para contribuir a revertir esta situación confeccionamos modelos potenciales por especie que sugieren 14800 km2 aptos para la presencia de al menos una de las cinco especies. Evaluamos 490 parcelas de 3600 m2 distribuidas en 43 localidades y para cada especie describimos los bosques en mejor estado de conservación que de manera tentativa podrían usarse como referencia para determinar metas de conservación y en trabajos de restauración. En tres de las cinco especies encontramos evidencias de fuego en más de 60% de las parcelas visitadas. Muchas localidades presentaban suelos con evidencias de erosión y escasa cobertura de vegetación, así como una baja cobertura y complejidad estructural de bosque. Consideramos que Argentina ofrece buenas oportunidades para la conservación y restauración de estos bosques ya que aún quedan grandes extensiones, numerosos relictos, y en muchas áreas la presión antrópica ha disminuido. Es prioritario reducir los fuegos, establecer más y mejores áreas protegidas y, en particular en el noroeste Argentino, tener un mejor conocimiento de la ecología de cada especie y desarrollar métodos para restaurar sus bosques.The genus Polylepis is endemic to the mountains of South America. Species of this genus frequently dominate the canopy of forests and shrublands whose conservation and restoration is a priority at a continental scale. The five species described for Argentina are distributed in the mountains central and northwestern Argentina. Their distribution, threats and conservation status are poorly described and the degree to which humans have impacted their cover, structure and distribution is controversial. We modeled the distribution per species. Models suggest an area of 14800 km2 environmentally suitable for at least one of the five species. We surveyed 490 plots of 3600 m2 distributed in 43 locations and for each species we describe the best preserved forests which could tentatively be used as reference sites when determining conservation and restoration goals. In three of the species we recorded fire evidences in over 60% of the visited plots. Soil erosion was evident in several localities and many forests presented low cover and structural complexity. Argentina provides good opportunities for the conservation and restoration of these forests as there still remain extensive forests, numerous relicts, and in many areas human impacts have been decreasing. It is important to reduce fire events, establish more and better protected areas, to have a better knowledge on the ecology of each species and to develop methods to restore forests, especially in northwestern Argentina.Fil: Renison, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Asociación Civil Ecosistemas Argentinos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Cuyckens, Griet An Erica. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Ecología de Comunidades; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pacheco, Silvia. Fundación ProYungas; ArgentinaFil: Guzmán, Gustavo F.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Grau, Hector Ricardo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional.; ArgentinaFil: Marcora, Paula Inés. Asociación Civil Ecosistemas Argentinos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Robledo, Gerardo Lucio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Cingolani, Ana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina. Asociación Civil Ecosistemas Argentinos; ArgentinaFil: Domínguez, Julio. Asociación Civil Ecosistemas Argentinos; ArgentinaFil: Landi, Marcos Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Bellis, Laura Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Hensen, Isabel. Martin Luther University; Alemani

La flora de la comunidad Chorojo: su uso, taxonomia y vernacular

Parte del objetivo de conocer la flora de Chorojo, nombres nativos, científicos y sus usos. Una vez más se ha podido comprobar a través de este estudio el profundo conocimiento local de la flora, pudiendo identificar fácilmente la gran mayoría de las más de 200 especies en su idioma nativo (quechua). El estudio es una contribución a la revalorización de estos conocimientos, los cuales actualmente se están perdiendo por las alternativas "modernas"

Dynamics of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Local Use and Conservation of Native Trees and Shrubs in the Bolivian Andes

Native trees and shrubs are essential components of rural landscapes in the semi-arid inner-Andean valleys of Bolivia. They can be found as hedges and bushes in various agroecosystems such as terrace walls, slopes, field boundaries and fallow land. Their distribution and floristic composition are the result of dynamic spatial and temporal interactions between local farmers and the environment. Local uses of natural resources and biodiversity reflect the constantly evolving Andean culture, which can be generally characterised as an intertwining of the human, natural, and spiritual worlds. The aim of the present ethnobotanical study was to analyse the dynamics of traditional ecological knowledge, to ascertain local farmers’ perceptions and uses of native woody species in Andean communities and to associate the results with local conservation activities for the trees and shrubs concerned. Our case study was carried out within two communities of the Tunari National Park (Dept. Cochabamba) in Bolivia. For data collection, research methods from social science (semi-structured interviews, participative observation, participatory mapping) as well as vegetation surveys were combined. Local actors included women and men of all ages as well as families from different social categories and altitudinal levels of permanent residence. Our study indicates that, due to a multitude of socio-economic pressures (e.g. migration of young people) as well as changes in use of biodiversity (e.g. replacement of native by exotic introduced species), the traditional ecological knowledge base of native trees and shrubs and their respective uses has become diminished over time. In many cases it has led to a decline in people’s awareness of native species and as a consequence their practical, emotional and spiritual relationships with them have been lost. However, results also show that applied traditional ecological knowledge has led to local conservation strategies, which have succeeded in protecting those tree and shrub species which are most widely regarded for their multifunctional, constant and exclusive uses (e.g. Schinus molle, Prosopis laevigata, Baccharis dracunculifolia). The presentation will discuss the question if and how applied traditional ecological knowledge positively contributes to local initiatives of sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in rural areas

Differences in the reproductive behaviour and larval development of two Canthon rutilans subspecies reinforce their thermal regional segregation

Two dung beetle subspecies of Canthon rutilans Castelnau (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae), C. rutilans rutilans and C. rutilans cyanescens, inhabit different environmental temperature conditions in southern Brazil. We developed a laboratory breeding experiment with 60 pairs of individualsof the two subspecies at five temperature conditions (from 15 to 35°C) to compare the influence oftemperature on the behaviour of adults and the development of larvae. The behavioural patterns ofthe adults in both subspecies differ according to temperature. The size of food balls was smaller andlighter inC. rutilans cyanescens. Although temperature did not influence the feeding behaviour (mea-sured as the number of food balls made), reproductive behaviour (measured as the number of broodballs made by pair) was significantly lower at 15°C for both subspecies. Besides that, brood balls fromC. rutilans rutilanswere bigger and heavier at lower temperatures. The number of offspring and thetime of emergence depend on temperature too. However, the weight of the offspring and the longev-ity of adults depend on the subspecies and temperature treatment. These results demonstrate that thesubspecies have different thermal adaptations:C. rutilans rutilanshas reproductive behaviouradapted to living under colder and broader conditions thanC. rutilans cyanescens.We thank for the scholarship awarded to MCH (finance code 001) and CNPq for a Productivity Grant awarded to MIMH (process 307437/2017-5). This project had financial support provided by CAPES: ’Efeito comparado do clima e dasmudancas no uso do solo na distribuicao espacial de um grupo de insetos indicadores (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) na Mata Atlantica’ (process 88881.068089/2014-01)

Distribution of canthon rutilans rutilans and canthon rutilans cyanescens along spatio-temporal and temperature gradients

Subspecies is a debated taxonomic rank that, in some cases, could indicate that a speciation process is taking place. Studying the degree of co-occurrence among subspecies along environmental gradients may help to determine its taxonomic status. In this study, we explore the distribution of two subspecies of Canthon rutilans along spatio-temporal and temperature gradients in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil in order to reinforce their current subspecies status or to support their consideration as two different species. A yearly survey conducted along an elevational transect (from 250 m to 1630 m) shows that there is no spatio-temporal overlap between the two taxa. We collected 899 individuals of Canthon rutilans cyanescens and 29 individuals of Canthon rutilans rutilans. C. rutilans cyanescens can be found at 250 m (all year except in June), 430 m (August to April), and 840 m (September to April) in elevation, and when the air temperature oscillates from 15.3 °C to 24.0 °C. C. rutilans rutilans can be found at 1360 m (October to February), 1630 m (January) in elevation, and when the air temperature oscillates from 14.4 °C to 18.6 °C. Furthermore, local temperature data taken during the survey indicates that both subspecies also have a limited overlap in their thermal response curves. All these results suggest that these two taxa could be considered as two different species with dissimilar physiological and ecological requirements probably as a consequence of temperature-mediated divergent adaptation. Further molecular data can confirm or reject this supposition in the near future.This research was funded by Ciências Sem Fronteiras program of the Ministério da Educação via Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior–CAPES (88881.068089/2014-01).Peer reviewe

Exploring the predictive performance of several temperature measurements on Neotropical dung beetle assemblages: Methodological implications

Basic characteristics of species assemblages are frequently related to temperature variables recorded at a coarse-grained scale. In this study, 15 min instant-measurements of environmental and soil temperatures were recorded during 1 year in six Atlantic Forest sites of southern Brazil, ranging from 250 to 1,630 m a.s.l. These measurements were used to examine the comparative explanatory capacity of several temperature variables in predicting species richness and total or specific variations of dung beetle abundance. The results suggest that temperature measurements obtained during the survey period have the highest explanatory capacity. Furthermore, average temperature values seem to have a relatively higher explanatory capacity than absolute minimum or maximum values reflecting extreme conditions. In general, there is no rule in selecting a temperature variable when the objective involves explaining the variation in species abundances. Both soil and air variables can have similar explanatory capacities. The present results should be considered when designing future ecological studies in Neotropical conditions.We also thank the financial support provided by Ciências Sem Fronteiras program of the Ministério da Educação via Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES (Process 88881.068089/2014-01).PGdS and VA thank CAPES for a Post -doctoral grant (Process 88881.068089/2014-01) and MIMH thanks the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq) for the Productivity grant (Process 309030/2013-7)

Variation in dung removal by dung beetles in subtropical Atlantic Rainforests

Dung consumption and removal is a fundamental ecological process carried out by dung beetles that drive soil nutrient cycling and associated ecosystem services. In this study, the removal rate of small droppings by dung beetles was estimated in natural subtropical rainforests of southern Brazil located along an elevational gradient, in order to understand the factors influencing variation in dung removal. To do that, the comparative explanatory capacity of three main types of variables was quantified: assemblage characteristics, local climatic and habitat conditions, and seasonal variation. The complete disappearance of dung within 48 h after deposition occurs in 73% of occasions. The highest explanatory capacity correspond to the combined effects of the three types of variables; however, average air temperature during the sampling period, total volume of dung beetles collected in the traps in which dung removal was measured, and the seasonal transition from summer to winter were the most important and representative predictors of dung removal. Thus, the dung nutrient incorporation into the soil will most likely be greater during spring‐summer conditions, when the air temperature at the time of dung deposition is high and the biomass of the dung beetle assemblage is bigger.Furthermore, we would like to thank Ciências Sem Fronteiras program of the Ministério da Educação via Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES and CNPq (process 88881.068089/2014‐01) for their financial support. PGdS and VA thank CAPES for a post‐doctoral grant (process 88887.094506/2015‐00 and 88887.100542/2015‐00) and MIMH thanks the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the Productivity grant (process 309030/2013‐7)

Turnover and nestedness in subtropical dung beetle assemblages along an elevational gradient

[Aim]: We investigated changes in dung beetle β-diversity components along a subtropical elevational gradient, to test whether turnover or nestedness-related processes drive the dissimilarity of assemblages at spatial and temporal scales. [Location]: An elevational gradient (200–1,600 m a.s.l.) of the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. [Methods]: We investigated the extent to which β-diversity varied along the elevational gradient (six elevations) at both spatial (among sites at different elevations) and temporal (different months at the same site) scales. We compared both the turnover and nestedness-related dissimilarity of species and genera using multiple-site or multiple-month measures and tested whether these measurements were different from random expectations. [Results]: A mid-elevation peak in species richness along the elevational gradient was observed, and the lowest richness occurred at the highest elevations. We found two different groups of species, lowland and highland species, with a mixing of groups at intermediate elevations. The turnover component of β-diversity was significantly higher for both spatial (i.e. elevational) and temporal changes in species composition. However, when the data for genera by site were considered, the elevational turnover value decreased in relative importance. Nestedness-related processes are more important for temporal dissimilarity patterns at higher elevation sites. [Main conclusions]: Spatial and temporal turnover of dung beetle species is the most important component of β-diversity along the elevational gradient. High-elevation assemblages are not subsets of assemblages that inhabit lower elevations, but this relationship ceases when β-diversity is measured at the generic level. Environmental changes across elevations may be the cause of the differential establishment of distinctive species, but these species typically belong to the same higher taxonomic rank. Conservation strategies should consider elevational gradients in case-specific scenarios as they may contain distinct species assemblages in lowlands vs. highlands.We also want to thank the financial support provided by the Ciências Sem Fronteiras program of Ministério da Educação via Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES (Process 88881.068089/2014‐01). PGdS thank CAPES for the post‐doctoral grant (Process 88881.068089/2014‐01) and MIMH thank Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the productivity grant (Process 309030/2013‐7)

Opportunities to bridge gaps between science and practice in restoration of Polylepis ecosystems

¿Cómo acercar la ciencia a la práctica de la restauración de los bosques de Polylepis? Esta pregunta suscitó la discusión y la reflexión entre un grupo de científicos académicos y practicantes de restauración que participamos del simposio "Reforestación y Restauración de Ecosistemas de Polylepis: Experiencias y Perspectivas" durante el IV Congreso Internacional de Ecología y Conservación de Bosques de Polylepis. El diálogo dentro del grupo nos permitió reconocer que existen diferentes experiencias prácticas relacionadas con la reforestación con especies de Polylepis, con distintos objetivos, grado de avance y de éxito, y, en general, poca participación del sector académico. Para que los científicos colaboremos de una manera más efectiva con la restauración de estos bosques, tenemos que realizar investigaciones tanto en áreas relevantes para la ciencia como para la práctica, y compartir nuestros aportes con los practicantes. En este artículo identificamos temas que consideramos prioritarios como guía para definir el marco de trabajo de investigación en la restauración de los bosques de Polylepis y los presentamos de acuerdo con su importancia para los sectores académicos y de practicantes. El sector académico considera que los principales vacíos de información en los que hay que trabajar se relacionan con aspectos ecológicos que abarcan desde la escala genética hasta la de paisaje. Mientras tanto, el sector de los practicantes sostiene que es necesario priorizar aspectos técnicos aplicables a su labor, como selección del sitio, manejo de las especies en vivero y en campo, e identificación de las barreras al establecimiento. Finalmente, sugerimos algunas estrategias de comunicación y cooperación directa en investigación para facilitar la colaboración entre científicos y practicantes de restauración, y para lograr juntos el objetivo de conservar y restaurar los ecosistemas de Polylepis.How do we bridge the gaps between science and practice in the restoration of Polylepis forests and shrublands? This question inspired discussion and reflection among a group of academic scientists and restoration practitioners attending the "Reforestation and restoration in Polylepis ecosystems: experiences and perspectives" symposium held during the IV International Congress on Ecology and Conservation of Polylepis Forests. Through dialogue, we recognized there are different experiences related to reforestation with Polylepis trees/shrubs, each with different objectives and degrees of progress and success, and, in general, very low participation of the academic sector. In order for academic scientists to contribute more effectively towards the restoration of these forests, we need to research areas of relevance both to science and restoration practice and explicitly share the implications of our research with practitioners. Here, we seek to guide the future research agenda in Polylepis forest restoration and reforestation science by identifying topics that should have priority in future studies, and present them according to the priorities of academics and practitioners. While the academic sector considers main gaps in knowledge requiring work to be related to ecological aspects at several scales ranging from genetics to landscape, restoration practitioners prioritize research of technical aspects directly applicable to their work (e.g., site selection, species management in greenhouses and the field, identification of barriers to establishment). Finally, we make some suggestions about research communication and direct collaboration between scientists and restoration practitioners to help us accomplish the main objective of conserving and restoring Polylepis ecosystems together.Fil: Morales Moreno, Laura V.. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosFil: Fuentealba, Beatriz. Instituto de Montaña, Huaraz; PerúFil: Sevillano, Cristian S.. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Gómez, M. Isabel. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; BoliviaFil: Segovia Salcedo, M. Claudia. Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas- ESPE; EcuadorFil: Renison, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; ArgentinaFil: Green, Daniel. Meristema Consultores; ChileFil: Aucca, Constantino. Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos; PerúFil: Hensen, Isabell. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg; Alemania. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle Jena Lepzig; Alemani