Resumen (Introducción): Las zonas ribereñas proveen una amplia gama de servicios ecosistémicos, y en contextos urbanos de alta intervención humana, esta provisión puede ser especialmente importante. Sin embargo, a nivel mundial, los ecosistemas ribereños urbanos han sido altamente degradados. (Objetivo): Esta investigación analizó la dinámica espaciotemporal de cambio de cobertura de la tierra para un periodo de 30 años (1992-2022) en la microcuenca urbana del río Ipís, en la Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM) costarricense, y realizó una valoración de la condición ecológica de sus zonas ribereñas. (Metodología): Esto se realizó mediante técnicas geoespaciales de clasificación de imágenes satelitales y fotos aéreas, álgebra de mapas, cálculo de métricas de paisaje y utilización de un índice para evaluar integridad ecológica de riberas (índice QBR). (Resultados): En el periodo estudiado, en la microcuenca del río Ipís hubo un aumento significativo de las coberturas impermeables (66.6 %) a expensas de coberturas con mayor funcionalidad ecológica, y ha habido una mayor fragmentación y aislamiento de parches de coberturas más permeables. Los valores del índice QBR, además, sugieren una severa alteración y deficiente integridad ecológica en las zonas ribereñas de la microcuenca en general. (Conclusiones): La expansión de coberturas asociadas a usos urbanos ha sido prominente en la microcuenca del río Ipís en las últimas tres décadas, y la alta degradación en sus zonas ribereñas compromete la capacidad de proveer servicios ecosistémicos en este contexto de alta alteración antropogénica.

Abstract (Introduction): Riparian zones provide a wide range of ecosystem services, and in urban contexts with high human intervention, this provision can be especially important. However, urban riparian zones worldwide have been highly degraded. (Objective): This research analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of land cover change over a period of 30 years (1992-2022) in the urban micro-basin of the Ipís River in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) of Costa Rica and evaluated the ecological condition of its riparian zones. (Methodology): This was done using geospatial techniques such as satellite image and aerial photo classification, map algebra, landscape metrics, and the use of an index for evaluating riparian ecological integrity (QBR index). (Results): During the study period, in the Ipís River micro-basin there was a significant increase in impervious cover (66.6%) at the expense of more pervious cover with greater ecological functionality, and there has been greater fragmentation and isolation of patches of more pervious covers. The QBR index values also suggest high alteration and poor ecological integrity in the riparian zones of the micro-basin in general. (Conclusions): The expansion of cover associated with urban uses has been prominent in the Ipís River micro-basin over the last three decades, and the high degradation in its riparian zones compromises the ability to provide ecosystem services in this context of high anthropogenic alteration.

RESUMO O conteúdo de água no solo é um fator-chave na avaliação nas áreas agrícola e ecológica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi explorar a combinação de informações multisatélites para abordar a questão da baixa precisão na recuperação do conteúdo de água do solo a partir de informações de banda única e fonte única, e estabelecer um modelo para estimativa do conteúdo de água do solo baseado no método multiespectral simulado. Foi realizado um experimento de determinação hiperespectral de amostras de solo (Latossolos) com valores variáveis de teor de água. A reflectância de oito sensores de satélite multiespectral foi remapeada com base nas funções de resposta espectral. Os índices de vegetação (VIs) foram estabelecidos combinando todas as bandas de sensores disponíveis. Os VIs significativos e a reflectância da banda foram extraídos pelos métodos de coeficiente de correlação e análise de importância de dados out-of-bag (OOB), e em seguida modelos lineares e não lineares foram estabelecidos para a estimativa do conteúdo de água no solo. Correlação significativa foi obtida entre refletância multiespectral simulada, VIs e teor de água no solo. Os modelos não lineares apresentaram melhor desempenho que o modelo linear. A combinação do modelo OOB e Random Forest (OOB-RF) obteve a maior acurácia de predição, com R2 calibração e R2 predição de 0,852 e 0,834, respectivamente. De forma geral, verificou-se que o método de modelagem OOB-RF baseado em sensoriamento remoto multiespectral foi viável para estimar o teor de água no solo.

ABSTRACT The soil water content is a key evaluation factor in the agricultural and ecological fields. The objective of this study was to explore the combination of multi-satellite information to address the issue of low accuracy in soil water content retrieval from single-band, single-source information and to establish a model for the estimation of the soil water content based on a simulated multi-spectral method. An experiment involving the hyperspectral determination of soil samples (Oxisols) with varying values of the water content was conducted. The reflectance of eight multi-spectral satellite sensors was resampled based on the spectral response functions. The vegetation indices (VIs) were established by pairing all available sensor bands. The significant VIs and band reflectance were extracted using the correlation coefficient and out-of-bag (OOB) data importance analysis methods, and then linear models and nonlinear models were established for soil water content estimation. A significant correlation was achieved between the simulated multi-spectral reflectance, VIs, and soil water content. The nonlinear models had a better performance than the linear model. The combined OOB and random forest (OOB-RF) model achieved the highest prediction accuracy, with R2 calibration and R2 prediction values of 0.852 and 0.834, respectively. Overall, it was verified that the OOB-RF modeling method based on multi-spectral remote sensing was feasible for estimating the soil water content.

ABSTRACT Peruvian cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has great acceptance and demand in the national and international textile market due to the excellent quality of its extra-long fiber, durability and resistance. To evaluate cotton cultivar performance, we need to use tools such as drones + sensors. However, these tools have not been widely used in the Peruvian agricultural area. Here we evaluated seven agro-morphological characters of 21 accessions of Del Cerro cotton cultivar from the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation of Peru with high-throughput phenotyping methods. We employed a Matrice 300 RTK unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the MicaSense Dual Red Edge Blue multispectral sensor to assess plant height, yield, and spectral signature during physiological maturity stage; other morphological characters were manually scored. Multispectral monitoring revealed the phytosanitary status of the crop, which begins to enter senescence after 130 d after sowing (DAS) due to the decrease of the vegetation indices (VI). Pearson correlations between yield and VI showed favorable values, exceeding 0.60 at 94 DAS for normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), relative vigor index (RVI), and normalized difference red edge index (NDRE). Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on the same date, a significant correlation was found between NDVI and yield. Additionally, yield prediction equations were generated with the normalized difference water index (NDWI) showing an R value of 0.74 at 130 DAS. The findings of this study suggest that remote sensing evaluation is suitable for estimating ‘Del Cerro’ cotton yield in infrared (IR) bands, providing a tool for germplasm evaluation that can influence decision-making and better conservation strategies.

Resumo A cana-de-açúcar ocupa grande escala territorial no mundo e busca constantemente por mecanismos para monitorar os nutrientes no ciclo de produção da cultura, utilizando métodos não destrutivos. O estudo com objetivo estimar o teor de nitrogênio na folha da cana-de-açúcar foi desenvolvido na safra 2021/2022 sobre dois talhões comerciais de sequeiro cultivares (RB867515 = 50,75 ha) e (CVSP7870 = 48,56 ha) na Usina Energética Serranópolis-Goiás, avaliando a eficiência dos índices bioquímicos de vegetação Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (fAPAR) e Canopy Chlorophyll Content (CCC) processados utilizando modelo de transferência de radiação RTM PROSAIL, comparados aos índices Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) e Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), processados utilizando modelos matemáticos e razão de bandas. Ambos, baseados em série temporal de dados Sentinel-2 como variáveis de entrada. A validação do Agro-Modelo ocorreu através de análise de tecido foliar coletada em sete avaliações intercaladas durante o período de permanência da cultura no campo. Foi evidenciado a funcionalidade dos quatro índices, destacando o índice bioquímico fAPAR sob a ótica da estatística descritiva (R² = 0,970 e RMSE = 0,46) para o cultivar RB867515 e (R² = 0,940 e RMSE = 0,69) para o cultivar CVSP7870.

Abstract Sugarcane occupies a large territorial scale in the world and is constantly searching for mechanisms to monitor nutrients in the crop production cycle, using non-destructive methods. The study aimed to estimate the nitrogen content in the sugarcane leaf was developed in the 2021/2022 harvest on two commercial fields of dryland cultivars (RB867515 = 50.75 ha) and (CVSP7870 = 48.56 ha) at the Serranópolis-Goiás mill, evaluating the efficiency of the biochemical vegetation indices Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (fAPAR) and Canopy Chlorophyll Content (CCC) processed using the radiation transfer model RTM PROSAIL, compared to the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), processed using mathematical band ratio models. Both were based on a time series of Sentinel-2 data as input variables. The validation of the Agro-Model occurred through analysis of leaf tissue collected in seven interspersed evaluations during the period the crop remained in the field. The functionality of the four indexes was evidenced, highlighting the biochemical index fAPAR from the perspective of descriptive statistics (R² = 0.970 and RMSE = 0.46) for the cultivar RB867515 and (R² = 0.940 and RMSE = 0.69) for the cultivar CVSP7870.

Resumo A Área de Proteção Ambiental das Reentrâncias Maranhenses está localizada no litoral norte do estado do Maranhão, abrangendo 16 municípios e apresentando grande diversidade florística. Contudo, essa biodiversidade está ameaçada pela redução e até extinção de espécies, situação agravada pela ação antrópica. Os objetivos deste estudo foram (i) analisar a composição florística da vegetação herbáceo-arbustiva no ecossistema de restinga da praia de Araoca, localizada no município de Guimarães; (ii) classificar hábitos; (iii) analisar síndromes de polinização e dispersão de sementes; (iv) categorizar as fitofisionomias presentes e (v) identificar os possíveis impactos ambientais. As expedições de campo foram realizadas entre julho de 2022 e outubro de 2023 (durante as estações seca e chuvosa) e as espécies vegetais foram registradas usando o método do caminhamento. No total, foram catalogadas 122 espécies herbáceo-arbustivas pertencentes a 95 gêneros e 50 famílias. As famílias com maior riqueza de espécies foram Fabaceae (24), Cyperaceae (10), Rubiaceae (6) e Asteraceae (5), correspondendo a 37, 2% do total das espécies coletadas. Quanto ao hábito, as espécies herbáceas (59) correspondem a 48,4% da amostragem, as arbustivas (29) representaram 23,8%, as subarbustivas (21) equivalem a 17,2% e as lianas/trepadeiras somaram 9,8% das espécies. O levantamento ainda registrou uma única espécie de palmeira (Arecaceae), correspondendo a 0,8% das espécies coletadas. Quanto à polinização, 100 espécies foram categorizadas exclusivamente como zoofílicas e 15 relativas à anemofilia. Em relação à dispersão, a anemocoria representou 7,4% dos indivíduos (9); a zoocoria exclusiva estava presente em 33,6% do levantamento (41); e a autocoria exclusiva em 70 espécies, somando 57,4% das amostras. Apenas Pavonia cancellata (L.) Cav. apresentou dois tipos de dispersão, zoocoria e autocoria, que representam 0,8% do total das síndromes de dispersão. Foram descritas fisionomias de campo aberto não inundável, campo aberto inundável-halófilo, frutíceto fechado não inundável, frutíceto fechado inundável e frutíceto aberto inundável. A diversidade vegetal de Araoca indica similaridade de restingas segundo as espécies comumente encontradas nas áreas estudadas no Maranhão. A considerável quantidade de lixo deixado nas proximidades das dunas, formação de trilhas e pastagem de bovinos em áreas de estrato arbustivo, alteram a dinâmica e comprometem o equilíbrio desse ecossistema. Considerando esse cenário, a restinga da Praia de Araoca está sujeita a perda de composição florística, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos que direcionem a manutenção de sua diversidade.

Abstract The expansion of the agricultural frontier driven by deforestation in the Amazon has promoted the increasing conversion of land use and land cover, where forests are being converted into pastures, and/or, with population growth, giving way to the creation of cities. This transformation in vegetation cover is reflected in the climatic elements, and consequently, in the response to microscale atmospheric phenomena. The most recent research carried out with observational data from the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Program in the Amazon (LBA) indicates changes in biogeochemical water cycles such as reductions in rainfall between forested and non-forested regions. However, few studies evaluate the conversion of forests into cities. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate how the modification of the forest-city and forest-pasture land cover impacts the coldest days of the year when frontal systems incursion occurs, in the central region of Rondônia, southwest of the Amazon. The results indicate that the climatic elements are modified with the anthropization, however, between the anthropized environments no significant differences were evidenced. Forest conversion increased the temperature range by around 2 °C.

Resumo A expansão da fronteira agropecuária impulsionada pelo desmatamento da Amazônia tem promovido uma crescente conversão de uso e cobertura da terra, onde florestas estão sendo convertidas em pastagens, e/ou, com o aumento populacional, dando espaço à criação de cidades. Essa transformação na cobertura vegetal é refletida nos elementos climáticos, e consequentemente, na resposta aos fenômenos atmosféricos de microescala. As pesquisas mais recentes realizadas com dados observacionais do Programa de Grande Escala da Biosfera-Atmosfera na Amazônia (LBA) indicam alterações nos ciclos biogeoquímicos da água como reduções de chuvas entre regiões florestadas e não florestadas. No entanto, poucos estudam avaliam a conversão de florestas em cidades. Diante disso, este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar como a modificação da cobertura do solo de floresta para cidade e de floresta para pastagem impacta as variáveis micrometeorológicas no ano de 2017, em Rondônia, sudoeste da Amazônia. Os resultados apontam que os elementos climáticos são modificados com a antropização, no entanto, entre os ambientes antropizados não foram evidenciadas diferenças significativas. A conversão de florestas aumentou a amplitude térmica em aproximadamente 2 °C.

ABSTRACT Herrania umbratica, a native species of South America, is used as a wild cacao source parallelly with Theobroma cacao. Despite its importance, its genomic information are not well presented and available. The gene models and proteins of H. umbratica with T. cacao, three Malvaceae species and three model plants were compared. H. umbratica shared the most proteins and genes with T. cacao, with more than 96% of similarity. The next close species to H. umbratica was Durio zibethinus followed by Gossypium raimondii and Corchorus capsularis. Species-specific genes of H. umbratica like Glu S. griseus protease inhibitor, WRKY34, disease resistance protein At4g27190, RPP13, and CEP are involved in disease response, stress adaptation, and growth and development. Five copies of theobromine synthase genes were revealed for H. umbratica and 10 for T. cacao. By blastn, blastp and blastx respectively, 2,179 gene models, 2,488 proteins and 2,722 gene models distributed in 58 transcription factors families were disclosed for H. umbratica. C2H2 with 739 members, WD40-like with 404, and MYB-HB-like with 311 were the top transcription factors. Simple sequence repeat species-specific markers were one deca-nucleotide unit (TTATTAAATG)3 and five nona-nucleotide units including (AAAAACAAA)3, (CAACAGCAG)3, (GACGATGAC)3, (GACGATGAC)3, and (TGGCGGTGG)3. This study disclosed that H. umbratica is a natural wild genetic resource for cacao breeding and can be used as a reliable gene pool to ameliorate cacao vegetation form, production, disease resistance, and stress adaptation. America importance available H T compared 96 similarity capsularis Speciesspecific Species specific S inhibitor WRKY34 WRKY At4g27190 Atg At g RPP13 RPP response adaptation development 1 blastn respectively 2179 2 179 2,17 2488 488 2,48 2722 722 2,72 5 CH C C2H 73 members WD40like WDlike WD40 WD 404 MYBHBlike MYB HB 31 speciesspecific decanucleotide deca nucleotide TTATTAAATG3 TTATTAAATG 3 (TTATTAAATG) nonanucleotide nona AAAAACAAA3, AAAAACAAA3 AAAAACAAA 3, (AAAAACAAA)3 CAACAGCAG3, CAACAGCAG3 CAACAGCAG (CAACAGCAG)3 GACGATGAC3, GACGATGAC3 GACGATGAC (GACGATGAC)3 TGGCGGTGG3. TGGCGGTGG3 TGGCGGTGG 3. (TGGCGGTGG)3 form production 9 WRKY3 At4g2719 RPP1 217 17 2,1 248 48 2,4 272 72 2,7 7 WD4 40 (TTATTAAATG (AAAAACAAA) (CAACAGCAG) (GACGATGAC) (TGGCGGTGG) At4g271 21 2, 24 4 27 (AAAAACAAA (CAACAGCAG (GACGATGAC (TGGCGGTGG At4g27 At4g2 At4g

Protium ovatum Eng. Burseraceae is an endemic species in Brazil used in traditional medicine. This study investigated the chemical variation and the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of dichloromethane soluble fraction of hydrolate (DSFH) from leaves of P. ovatum collected from five different vegetation physiognomies within the Cerrado Goiano. The region was characterized based on the DSFH chemical composition by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were performed to compare the different DSFHs from five Savannah regions in Brazil. The DSFHs from the Cerrado stricto sensu (CSS), Mata de Galeria (MG) and Cerradão (C) regions were grouped in the negative part of PC1, showing high similarity. Samples from the C and MG regions showed antioxidant activity of IC50 = 0.98 and 0.78 mg mL-1, respectively, and 0.250 mg mL-1 of butylated hydroxytoluene (positive control). DSFH from different regions exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The results show that the chemical composition and the biological activity of DSFHs can be affected according to the area of collection. Eng medicine (DSFH P Goiano GCMS GC MS (GC-MS PCA (PCA HCA (HCA CSS, CSS , (CSS) (MG (C PC1 PC similarity IC IC5 098 0 98 0.9 078 78 0.7 mL1, mL1 mL 1, 1 respectively 0250 250 0.25 mL- positive control. control . control) albicans collection (CSS 09 9 0. 07 7 025 25 0.2 02 2

ABSTRACT Desertification is the degradation process caused by climatic conditions and human activities that results in loss of soil productivity and decline in vegetation growth in the long term. Several indices related to vegetation, soil and climate are used to monitor desertification, but few studies explore qualitative and quantitative aspects of indices on desertification on spatial and hierarchical scale. This study aims to identify and measure indices related to increased risk of desertification on global, local and hierarchical scales using multinomial logistic regression models. Images from TM, ETM+ and OLI sensor from 1997 to 2018 in the end of dry and rainy seasons were used to quantify NDVI, TGSI, albedo, temperature, aridity index, evapotranspiration and precipitation on global spatial scale (Irauçuba Centro Norte) and local spatial scale (Miraíma, Canindé, Irauçuba and Santa Quitéria). GISD was calculated by geometric mean of weighted indices and segmented into 8 classes of susceptibility to desertification (hierarchical scale). The results showed that the best models were obtained on local scale and for the end of the rainy season. Temperature proved to be the most important variable for increased risk of desertification on global, local and hierarchical scales. Therefore, the increase in the risk of desertification in the studied areas is due to human activities of deforestation, overgrazing and fire. These factors contributed to reduction of vegetation cover and increase in temperature, changing the microclimatic, which led to decline in precipitation and worsening of desertification. term TM ETM 199 201 NDVI TGSI albedo temperature index Norte Miraíma, Miraíma (Miraíma Canindé Quitéria. Quitéria . Quitéria) scale) season Therefore deforestation fire microclimatic 19 20 1 2

RESUMO: Uma das causas de perda de produtividade em lavouras de cana está associada à espécie Diatraea saccharalis, também conhecida por broca da cana. Portanto, este estudo avaliou a viabilidade do uso de sensores hiperespectrais para obter a resposta espectral foliar da cana-de-açúcar em diferentes períodos de infestações, tanto a nível foliar quanto dossel, a fim de diagnosticar antecipadamente os danos da Diatraea saccharalis. O estudo contou com três variedades de cana-de-açúcar: CTC9003BT, CTC4 e RB966928. Em metade das parcelas foi utilizado o inseticida Altacor® para o controle de pragas. As coletas de dados ocorreram nas fases: brotação, perfilhamento, crescimento de colmos e início da maturação. Para avaliar os efeitos da broca na cana foi coletado os dados referentes ao conteúdo relativo de água (CRA), assinatura espectral foliar em laboratório e dossel, índices de vegetação (NDVI e MCARI), produtividade, pureza e ATR (Açúcar Total Recuperável). O maior CRA encontrado foi para a CTC9003BT (60,15%) sem inseticida e 59,0% com inseticida. As faixas espectrais do visível (400-680 nm) e infravermelho próximo (750-1300 nm) identificaram variações espectrais nas plantas com e sem broca. O percentual de broca apresentou correlações altas e negativas entre a produtividade, NDVI e ATR, com coeficientes de -0,68, -0,76 e -0,76, respectivamente. Os índices NDVI e MCARI foram eficazes na detecção de plantas sob estresse, contudo, sua variação é influenciada por múltiplos fatores, sendo difícil associá-los a um único problema (broca). RESUMO saccharalis Portanto canadeaçúcar açúcar infestações dossel CTCBT CTC BT RB966928 RB Altacor pragas fases brotação perfilhamento maturação CRA, , (CRA) MCARI, MCARI) Açúcar Recuperável. Recuperável . Recuperável) 60,15% 6015 60 15 (60,15% 590 59 0 59,0 400680 400 680 (400-68 nm 7501300 750 1300 (750-130 0,68, 068 68 -0,68 0,76 076 76 -0,7 0,76, respectivamente estresse contudo fatores associálos associá los (broca) RB96692 (CRA 60,15 601 6 1 (60,15 5 59, 40068 40 (400-6 750130 75 130 (750-13 0,68 06 -0,6 0,7 07 7 -0, (broca RB9669 60,1 (60,1 4006 4 (400- 75013 13 (750-1 0,6 0, -0 RB966 60, (60, (400 7501 (750- - RB96 (60 (40 (750 RB9 (6 (4 (75 ( (7

ABSTRACT: One of the causes of productivity loss in sugarcane cultivation has been associated with the species Diatraea saccharalis, also known as the sugarcane borer. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility of using hyperspectral sensors to obtain the leaf spectral response of sugarcane in different periods of infestation at leaf and canopy levels to diagnose D. saccharalis damage in advance. The study included three varieties of sugarcane: CTC9003BT, CTC4, and RB966928. The insecticide Altacor® was used to control pestsin half of the plots. Data collection occurred at the following stages: sprouting, tillering, stalke longation, and early maturation. Data regarding relative water content (RWC), leaf spectral signature in the laboratory and canopy, vegetation indices (NDVI and MCARI), productivity, purity, and total recoverable sugar (TRS) were collected to evaluate the borer effects on the sugarcane crop. The highest RWC was observed for CTC9003BT (60.15%) without insecticide and 59.0% with insecticide. The visible (400-680 nm) and near-infrared (750-1300 nm) spectral bands identified spectral variations in plants with and without sugarcane borer. The percentage of sugarcane borer showed high and negative correlations between productivity, NDVI, and TRS, with coefficients of -0.68, -0.76, and -0.76, respectively. The NDVI and MCARI indices effectively detect plants under stress, but their variation is influenced by multiple factors, making it difficult to associate them with a single problem (sugarcane borer). ABSTRACT Therefore D advance CTCBT CTC BT CTC4 RB966928 RB Altacor plots stages sprouting tillering longation maturation RWC, , (RWC) MCARI, MCARI) purity TRS (TRS crop 60.15% 6015 60 15 (60.15% 590 59 0 59.0 400680 400 680 (400-68 nm nearinfrared near infrared 7501300 750 1300 (750-130 0.68, 068 68 -0.68 0.76, 076 76 -0.76 respectively stress factors . borer) RB96692 (RWC 60.15 601 6 1 (60.15 5 59. 40068 40 (400-6 750130 75 130 (750-13 0.68 06 -0.6 0.76 07 7 -0.7 RB9669 60.1 (60.1 4006 4 (400- 75013 13 (750-1 0.6 -0. 0.7 RB966 60. (60. (400 7501 (750- 0. -0 RB96 (60 (40 (750 - RB9 (6 (4 (75 ( (7

ABSTRACT Maize is a demanding crop that is responsive to nitrogen fertilisation, and meeting its needs is essential to avoid a loss of productivity or environmental contamination. Monitoring nutrient status during crop development is fundamental for optimising nitrogen fertilisation, and using spectral sensors can help detect spatial variability in the field. Based on this premise, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three low-cost sensors in detecting variability in the spectral and agronomic characteristics of the maize cultivar, BM 3066 PRO2®, induced by different N doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) under two cropping systems, no-tillage and conventional. The study employed a camera with a sensor in the visible region of the spectrum (RGB), a camera in the visible-infrared region (OCN), both mounted on a drone, and a portable chlorophyll meter. Spatial variability was assessed during the crop cycle using the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and chlorophyll index. The results showed that the NDVI(ON) vegetation index from the OCN sensor was more effective at differentiating the treatments than was the NGR vegetation index from the RGB sensor. Furthermore, the chlorophyll b index was better at detecting variations induced by different nitrogen doses, outperforming the vegetation indices obtained by means of aerial images. The airborne sensors under test are more suitable for detecting early spatial macro-variability, while the chlorophyll meter is more effective at assessing the degree of nitrogen deficiency. fertilisation contamination field premise lowcost low cost cultivar 306 PRO2 PRO PRO2® 0, 0 (0 100 20 30 ha1 ha 1 ha-1 systems notillage no tillage conventional RGB, , (RGB) visibleinfrared infrared OCN, (OCN) drone NDVI (NDVI NDVION ON NDVI(ON Furthermore images macrovariability, macrovariability macro variability, macro-variability deficiency ( 10 2 3 ha- (RGB (OCN

RESUMEN Se evalúa el desempeño térmico de fachadas verdes tradicionales (FVT) sembradas con especies trepadoras perennes, en la estación de verano, en el Área Metropolitana de Mendoza, Argentina, localizada en un clima árido. Para ello, se monitorearon, durante un periodo de 30 días, temperaturas del aire exterior en el microclima mediato e interior en una cámara de aire, y superficiales exteriores e interiores, en un ensayo experimental. Dicho ensayo está compuesto por tres muros de mampostería, dos con FVT y el restante testigo sin cobertura vegetal, orientados al oeste y aislados en sus caras N, S y E; en esta última orientación alberga un recinto de aire. Se hallaron reducciones de temperatura de 3,5 °C del aire del entorno exterior a 30 cm del muro, de 6,2 °C en la cámara de aire interior, de 17,8 °C en la superficie de la cara exterior, de 7,5 °C en la superficie de la cara interior y hasta 2,0 °C de variación entre las FVT con distintas especies vegetales. Estos valores demuestran el potencial de la aplicación de la estrategia sobre las temperaturas en su entorno mediato y los espacios interiores. Además, se observa que las magnitudes de dichos impactos dependen del tipo de estructura vegetal y son mayores en clima árido respecto de lo reportado para otros climas en la literatura internacional.

ABSTRACT The thermal performance of traditional green façades (TGF) planted with perennial climbing species during the summer season in the Metropolitan Area of Mendoza, Argentina, located in an arid climate, is evaluated. For this purpose, outdoor temperatures were monitored over a 30-day period in the immediate microclimate and inside an air chamber, as well as surface temperatures outdoors and indoors, in an experimental trial. This trial comprised three masonry walls, two with TGF and one control without vegetation cover, oriented westward and isolated on their north, south and east sides; the east-facing side houses an air enclosure. Temperature reductions were found to be 3.5 °C from the ambient air at 30 cm from the wall, 6.2 °C in the indoor air chamber, 17.8 °C on the outdoor surface, 7.5 °C on the indoor surface and up to 2.0 °C variation between the TGFs with different plant species. These values demonstrate the potential of the strategy in reducing temperatures in its immediate surroundings and indoor spaces. Moreover, it is observed that the extent of these impacts depend on the type of plant structure and are greater in arid climates compared to those reported for other climates in international literature.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las relaciones entre las diferentes variables de combustible destructivas (pasto y carga de combustible de 1-h) y no destructivas (altura del pasto, altura de la hojarasca, número de especies y número de individuos), en aras de desarrollar modelos para estimar la carga de combustible y la humedad y analizar el consumo de combustible. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en un área protegida ubicada en el bioma Cerrado, en la región de Jalapão, estado de Tocantins, Brasil. Se muestrearon las características no destructivas de la vegetación para determinar las cargas de combustible vivo y muerto en diferentes clases de retardo. Se obtuvieron ecuaciones para estimar estas cargas, con valores de R²aj que varían entre 0.12 y 0.73. Se pudo observar la influencia considerable de la carga de combustible de pasto muerto en el modelado, la cual se considera el principal factor determinante para un mayor consumo de vegetación por el fuego.

Abstract The aim of this study was to understand the relationships between different destructive (grass and 1-h fuel load) and non-destructive fuel variables (grass height, litter height, number of species, and number of individuals), in order to develop models for estimating fuel load and moisture and analyzing fuel consumption. This study was carried out in a protected area located in the Cerrado biome, in the Jalapão region, Tocantins state, Brazil. The non-destructive characteristics of the vegetation were sampled to determine the live and dead fuel loads in different time-lag classes. Equations were obtained to estimate these loads, with values of R²aj, varying from 0.12 to 0.73. The considerable influence of dead grass fuel load on modeling could be observed, which is regarded as the main determining factor for a greater consumption of vegetation by fire.

ABSTRACT The invasion of exotic species of natural spaces constitutes a global conservation problem. In the Siboney-Juticí Ecological Reserve, Leucaena leucocephala is considered one of the main threats to the conservation of the semideciduous microphyll forest. The objective of this study is to characterize the richness and structure of the semideciduous microphyll forest in areas with different levels of Leucaena leucocephala coverage in said reserve. For the study, 15 plots of 400 m2 were established at three levels of coverage of the invasive species: ABSM-NI (undisturbed forests), ABSM-PI (40-60 % coverage of Leucaena leucocephala) and ABSM-TI (70 % cover of Leucaena leucocephala). The number of individuals per species and their presence in each of the stratus were estimated, in addition, the height of the woody species was considered. For each of the levels studied, the specific richness, the relative abundance of the species and the floristic composition by stratus were determined; as well as the floristic similarities between each of the levels. In ABSM-NI, 55 species were recorded, in ABSM-PI 51 and in ABSM-TI 43. At the three levels of cover, the strata (tree, shrub, herbaceous) and lianas were maintained. In ABSM-TI the epiphytes were not recorded. The greatest biological similarity was between ABSM-PI and ABSM-TI; some of the shared species are ruderal and colonize areas with some type of disturbance. The main transformation was in the composition and abundance of the species as the coverage of the invasive species increased. In ABSM-TI, the specific richness and abundance/cover of secondary vegetation species increased, to the detriment of other typical forest species. In the sites with the greatest coverage of the invasive species, a decrease in the specific composition and height of the tree stratus occurs. At this site, an increase in the specific composition of the shrub and herbaceous strata was also observed. Epiphytes were only recorded in ABSM-NI and ABSM-PI.

RESUMO A invasão de espécies exóticas em espaços naturais constitui um problema de conservação global. Na Reserva Ecológica Siboney-Juticí, Leucaena leucocephala é considerada uma das principais ameaças à conservação da floresta semidecídua microfila. O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar a riqueza e a estrutura da floresta semidecídua micrófila em áreas com diferentes níveis de cobertura de Leucaena leucocephala na referida reserva. Para o estudo foram estabelecidas 15 parcelas de 400 m2 em três níveis de cobertura das espécies invasoras: ABSM-NI (florestas intactas), ABSM-PI (40-60 % de cobertura de Leucaena leucocephala) e ABSM-TI (70% de cobertura de Leucaena leucocephala). Foi estimado o número de indivíduos por espécie e sua presença em cada um dos estratos, sendo também considerada a altura das espécies lenhosas. Para cada um dos níveis estudados foram determinadas a riqueza específica, a abundância relativa das espécies e a composição florística por estratos; bem como as semelhanças florísticas entre cada um dos níveis. Na ABSM-NI foram registradas 55 espécies, na ABSM-PI 51 e na ABSM-TI 43. Nos três níveis de cobertura foram mantidos os estratos (arbóreo, arbustivo, herbáceo) e lianas. Nenhuma epífita foi registrada no ABSM-TI. A maior similaridade biológica foi entre ABSM-PI e ABSM-TI; muitas das espécies compartilhadas são ruderais e colonizam áreas com algum tipo de perturbação. A principal transformação ocorreu na composição e abundância das espécies à medida que aumentava a cobertura das espécies invasoras. Na ABSM-TI, a riqueza específica e a abundância/cobertura de espécies de vegetação secundária aumentaram, em detrimento de outras espécies florestais típicas. Nos locais com maior cobertura das espécies invasoras ocorre diminuição da composição específica e da altura do estrato arbóreo. Neste local também foi observado aumento na composição específica dos estratos arbustivos e herbáceos. Epífitas foram registradas apenas no ABSM-NI e ABSM-PI.

RESUMEN La invasión de especies exóticas de espacios naturales constituye un problema de conservación a nivel global. En la Reserva Ecológica Siboney-Juticí, Leucaena leucocephala es considerada como una de sus principales amenazas para la conservación del bosque semideciduo micrófilo. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la riqueza y estructura del bosque semideciduo micrófilo en áreas con diferentes niveles de cobertura de Leucaena leucocephala en dicha reserva. Para el estudio se establecieron 15 parcelas de 400 m2 en tres niveles de cobertura de la especie invasora: ABSM-NI (bosques sin perturbación), ABSM-PI (40-60 % de cobertura de Leucaena leucocephala) y ABSM-TI (70 % de cobertura de Leucaena leucocephala). Se estimó el número de individuos por especie y su presencia en cada uno de los estratos, además se consideró la altura de las especies leñosas. Por cada uno de los niveles estudiados se determinó la riqueza específica, la abundancia relativa de las especies y la composición florística por estratos; así como las similitudes florísticas entre cada uno de los niveles. En ABSM-NI se registraron 55 especies, en ABSM-PI 51 y en ABSM-TI 43. En los tres niveles de cobertura se mantuvieron los estratos (arbóreo, arbustivo, herbáceo) y las lianas. En ABSM-TI no se registraron epífitas. La mayor similitud biológica fue entre ABSM-PI y ABSM-TI; muchas de las especies compartidas son ruderales y colonizan áreas con algún tipo de perturbación. La principal transformación estuvo en la composición y abundancia de las especies en la medida que aumenta la cobertura de la especie invasora. En ABSM-TI incrementó la riqueza específica y la abundancia/cobertura de especies propias de vegetación secundaria, en detrimento de otras especies típicas del bosque. En los sitios de mayor cobertura de la especie invasora ocurre una disminución de la composición específica y altura del estrato arbóreo. En este sitio también se observó un aumento de la composición específica de los estratos arbustivo y herbáceo. Las epífitas solo se registraron en ABSM-NI y ABSM-PI.

Resumen Introducción: Existe evidencia que herbívoros, como los saínos, dan forma a la estructura y diversidad de la vegetación a través del comportamiento de depredación, pisoteo, dispersión y enraizamiento. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de los saínos (Dycotiles tajacu) en la vegetación del sotobosque del bosque tropical húmedo en el Corredor Biológico Local Nogal-La Selva, Costa Rica, en un sitio con ausencia y en otro con presencia de saínos. Métodos: De junio a noviembre de 2021 se utilizaron 20 exclusiones experimentales y 20 parcelas de acceso libre de 2 m2, se cuantifico la herbivoría, número de láminas foliares, hojas dañadas, hojas sanas, altura de brinzales y biomasa caída en ambos sitios. Resultados: Se encontró una mayor densidad de brinzales en Reserva Nogal pero una menor diversidad, contrario en La Selva donde se encontró una mayor diversidad de brinzales, pero una menor densidad de plántulas. La herbivoría y la altura de brinzales en La Selva fue mayor que en Nogal. La exclusión de los saínos disminuyó el daño a las plántulas, pero no afectó la dinámica de la biomasa caída. Conclusión: Es necesario contemplar para el diseño, implementación y evaluación de la efectividad de corredores biológicos, las interacciones planta-animal, para potencializar el flujo de procesos ecológicos mediante la conectividad funcional y estructural, analizada a partir de interacciones como las presentadas en este trabajo.

Abstract Introduction: Evidence suggests that herbivores, such as peccaries, shape vegetation structure and diversity through predation, trampling, dispersal, and rooting behavior. Objective: To evaluate the impact of peccaries (Dycotiles tajacu) on the understory vegetation of the tropical rainforest in the Nogal-La Selva Local Biological Corridor, Costa Rica, comparing a site with the absence of peccaries to another with the presence of these animals. Methodology: From June to November 2021, 20 experimental exclusions and 20 free access plots, each measuring 2 m2 were used to quantify herbivory, the number of leaf blades, damaged leaves, healthy leaves, sapling height, and fallen biomass at both sites. Results: A higher sapling density was found in the Nogal Reserve, but a lower sapling diversity, while in La Selva there was a higher sapling diversity, but a lower density of seedlings. Herbivory and sapling height in La Selva exceeded those in Nogal. The exclusion of peccaries reduced seedling damage but did not affect the dynamics of fallen biomass. Conclusion: For the design, implementation, and evaluation of the effectiveness of biological corridors, it is crucial to consider plant-animal interactions to enhance the flow of ecological processes through functional and structural connectivity, analyzed from interactions such as those presented in this paper.