Abstract The rapid expansion of industrial agriculture in rural Bogotá has led to a reduction in the diversity of plants cultivated by peasant families. This generates transformations in livelihoods and biocultural relations, affecting local environmental knowledge and practices for the use and management of agrobiodiversity. Although several studies have documented the presence of agrobiodiversity niches, such as orchards and peasant gardens that persist amid homogenized landscapes, there is a need to expand the identification and analysis of the multiple cultural and agroecological functions that characterize them. This study aims to identify local environmental knowledge linked to orchards and gardens in terms of their functions and contributions to the conservation and recovery of agrobiodiversity. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six key local informants and twenty-five peasant households, including ethnographic observations and eth nobotanical walks. Based on the information obtained, the agrobiodiversity niches were characterized in terms of their func tionality according to the daily experiences of their caretakers. Eight agroecological functions, 249 common names associated with the same number of plant species, and knowledge about uses and management were identified. Finally, the possible articulations of the niches with the surrounding landscapes and water spaces were analyzed to understand their potential contribution to territorial transformations and to the connectivity of the rural ecological structure of Bogota.

Resumen La expansión de la agricultura industrial en zonas rurales de Bogotá ha reducido la diversidad de plantas cultivadas por las familias campesinas, y ha transformado sus formas de vida y las relaciones bioculturales. Ello afecta los conocimientos ambien tales de carácter local y las prácticas de uso y manejo de la agrobiodiversidad. Aunque se ha documentado en varios estudios la presencia de nichos agrobiodiversos, tales como huertas y jardines campesinos que persisten en medio de paisajes homoge neizados, es necesario ampliar la identificación y el análisis de las funciones culturales y agroecológicas que los caracterizan. En este artículo se detallan los conocimientos locales vinculados a huertas y jardines en términos de sus funciones y aportes a la conservación y recuperación de la agrobiodiversidad. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a seis sabedores locales y en veinticinco hogares, además de observaciones etnográficas y recorridos etnobotánicos. Con la información obtenida, se carac terizaron las funciones de los nichos de agrobiodiversidad, según las experiencias cotidianas de sus cuidadores y cuidadoras. Se identificaron ocho funciones agroecológicas, 249 nombres comunes asociados al mismo número de especies vegetales, y varios saberes sobre usos y manejos. Se concluye explicando las posibles articulaciones entre los nichos y los paisajes circundantes, para entender su aporte potencial a la transformación territorial y a la conectividad de la estructura ecológica rural de Bogotá.

ABSTRACT The present study aims to analyze the potential of areas for the implementation of ecological corridors. The study area represents a transition between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado domains and is extensively fragmented. Geographic Information System was used to determine suitable areas for the implementation of ecological corridors based on their ecological and structural potential, while multi-criteria classification was used to generate a final ecological map of the area. Weights and notes were assigned to vegetation class, river width, elevation and declivity in their respective maps, which were overlaid using ArcGis 10.3 software. Structural analysis of the area used the landscape metrics mean area, mean shape and total edge of fragments and mean connectivity among fragments in Fragstats software. The results indicated an ecologically and structurally suitable area for the implementation of ecological corridors in the study area.

RESUMO O presente estudo tem como propósito analisar áreas potenciais para a implantação de Corredores Ecológicos. Atualmente a área encontra-se fragmentada e está sob os domínios de Cerrado e Mata Atlântica. Baseado no Sistema de Informações Geográficas, foram determinadas possíveis áreas, do ponto de vista ecológico e estrutural, para a implantação dos Corredores Ecológicos. Para a geração do mapa final de potencial ecológico da área, utilizou-se a metodologia de classificação por múltiplos critérios. Foram atribuídos pesos e notas às classes de vegetação, largura dos rios, altitude e declividade em seus respectivos mapas. Após a determinação dos pesos e notas, realizou-se a sobreposição dos mapas no software ArcGis 10.3. Para analise estrutural da área utilizou-se às métricas de paisagem área média, formato médio e borda total dos fragmentos e conectividade média entre os fragmentos no software Fragstats. Os resultados apontaram para uma área ecologicamente e estruturalmente viável para a implantação dos Corredores Ecológicos na área de estudo.

ABSTRACT Background: Tropical Dry Forests (TDFs) are repositories of biodiversity, ecosystem services and carbon that are threatened by fragmentation and climate change. Floristic and phytosociological studies are fundamental database for many studies of conservation and sustainability, but there is a knowledge gap concerning TDFs, especially in the Andes valleys. The aim of this study was to determine the phytosociological structure and composition of woody vegetation of seven TDFs in the Colombian Andes, and because the flora associated with this type of forest has a geographical distribution restricted to each locality where this biome exists, provide information on the main species, genera and families for conservation and restoration actions as well as for future meta-analyses. We sampled seven TDFs with 20 plots of 25 m × 4 m. Results: In the 1.88 hectares of samples, 8422 individuals were surveyed, distributed in 170 species, 120 genera and 50 botanical families. Of these species, 78.82% were identified at the species level, 17.05% at the genus level, and 4.11% at the family level. The most important families were Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. Nitrogen-fixing Fabaceae species were prominent amongst the important species, especially in low altitude and more stressing sites. Conclusion: The structure, composition and ecological importance of these forests must be considered for conservation and ecological restoration plans, in particular the habitat preference of species along the topographic gradient. Particularly noteworthy for conservation are the Myrtaceae species because promote connectivity and regeneration by providing resources for the fauna, a driver of dispersal, as well as nitrogen-fixing Fabaceae species, because promote the resilience and natural regeneration of TDFs in the Andes, a key feature of stability.

Abstract The loss of the landscape connectivity translates into a decrease in the joint functioning of the ecological flows or processes that are found on said landscape. In the Caquetá department, in the south of Colombia, there are 13 protected areas that cover 38.50% of their area, their ecological function is given thanks to the interaction of the elements of the Andes-Amazon system. Showing up next is the ecological connectivity index calculation to now the status of the protected areas connectivity in this department. The index is calculated from the analysis and cartographic inputs construction which allow to identify each landscape elements behavior grouped in five planetary systems, every element demonstrates the extent to which it favors or not the propagation of flows, that is, if they are favored, it is understood that the landscape is connected. The landscape elements demonstrated a systemic behavior since they interrelate with each other and show that in a higher percentage the flows are favored and have a high movement while in a lower value the flows present moderate or difficult movements, this was reflected in that the 99% of the protected areas are connected, it was also identified that this value depends almost entirely on the extension and state of conservation of the elements around and within the PNN Serranía de Chiribiquete, also that the percentage of disconnected protected area is located especially in the San Vicente del Caguán and Cartagena del Chairá municipalities.

Resumen La pérdida de conectividad del paisaje se traduce en la disminución del funcionamiento conjunto de los flujos o procesos ecológicos que sobre dicho paisaje se encuentren. En el departamento de Caquetá, al sur de Colombia, se localizan 13 áreas protegidas que cubren el 38,50% de su área, su función ecológica está dada gracias a la interacción de los elementos del sistema Andes-Amazonía. A continuación se presenta el cálculo de un índice de conectividad ecológica para conocer el estado de la conectividad de las áreas protegidas en el departamento; el índice es calculado a partir del análisis y construcción de insumos cartográficos, permitiendo identificar el comportamiento de diversos elementos del paisaje agrupados en cinco sistemas planetarios, cada elemento demuestra la medida en que favorece o no la propagación de los flujos, es decir, si son favorecidos se entiende que el paisaje se encuentra conectado. Los elementos del paisaje demostraron un comportamiento sistémico; es decir, que hay interacción entre ellos, y evidencian que en mayor porcentaje los flujos son favorecidos y tienen un movimiento alto y que en menor valor las perturbaciones a los flujos representan movimientos moderados o con dificultad, esto fue reflejado en que el 99% de las áreas protegidas se encuentran conectadas, además se identificó que este porcentaje depende casi en su totalidad de la extensión y estado de conservación del PNN Serranía de Chiribiquete, y que el porcentaje de área protegida desconectada se localiza especialmente en los municipios de San Vicente del Caguán y Cartagena del Chairá.

Resumen: Los servicios ecosistémicos son los beneficios que la humanidad recibe de los ecosistemas: desde la provisión de alimentos, agua, madera y fibras hasta la regulación hídrica y climática, entre muchos otros. Para mantener esta oferta ambiental es preciso conocer la ubicación, el estado y el grado de conexión de las áreas naturales presentes en un territorio. Teniendo en cuenta la interpretación de coberturas de la tierra a escala 1:25.000, la delimitación de subcuencas dentro del municipio, la consulta de información secundaria, el uso de la herramienta Linkage Mapper y una posterior verificación con imágenes satelitales del año 2020, se proponen corredores y núcleos de conectividad estructural para las áreas naturales presentes en el municipio de Valparaíso (Caquetá) en Colombia, con el fin de ofrecer a los tomadores de decisiones insumos para la ordenación del territorio en procura de mantener la calidad y la oferta de servicios ecosistémicos. Como resultado, se obtuvieron 48 núcleos de conectividad correspondientes a bosques de tierra firme e inundables y alrededor de 7% del área municipal en corredores que están representados principalmente por bosques de galería remanentes en el área de estudio.

Resumo: Os serviços ecossistêmicos são os benefícios que a humanidade recebe dos ecossistemas: desde a provisão de alimentos, água, madeira e fibras até a regulação hídrica e climática, entre muitos outros. Para manter esta oferta ambiental é preciso conhecer a localização, o estado e o grau de conexão das áreas naturais presentes em um território. Tendo em conta a interpretação das coberturas da terra à escala de 1:25.000, a delimitação de sub-contas dentro do município, a consulta de informações secundárias, a utilização da ferramenta Linkage Mapper e uma posterior verificação com imagens de satélite do ano de 2020, são propostos corredores e núcleos de conectividade estrutural para as áreas naturais presentes no município de Valparaíso (Caquetá) na Colômbia, com o fim de oferecer aos tomadores de decisão insumos para o ordenamento do território em busca de manter a qualidade e a oferta de serviços ecossistêmicos. Como resultado, foram obtidos 48 núcleos de conectividade correspondentes a florestas de terra firme e inundáveis e cerca de 7% da área municipal em corredores que estão representados principalmente por florestas de galeria remanescentes na área de estudo.

Abstract: Ecosystem services are the benefits that humanity receives from ecosystems: from the provision of food, water, wood and fiber to water and climate regulation, among many others. In order to maintain this environmental supply, it is necessary to know the location, state and degree of connection of the natural areas present in a territory. Taking into account the interpretation of land cover at a scale of 1:25,000, the delimitation of sub-basins within the municipality, the consultation of secondary information, the use of the Linkage Mapper tool and a subsequent verification with satellite images of the year 2020, a set of linkages and structural connectivity cores are proposed for the natural areas present in the municipality of Valparaíso (Caquetá) in Colombia, in order to provide decision-makers with inputs for land management in order to maintain the quality and supply of ecosystem services. As a result, 48 connectivity cores were obtained corresponding to inland and floodable forests and about 7% of the municipal area in linkages that are mainly represented by remaining gallery forests in the study area.

Resumen: En este trabajo se analizó cómo la configuración de los elementos del paisaje del departamento del Caquetá, al sur de Colombia, permite o restringe la propagación de flujos involucrados en la conectividad ecológica entre los Andes y la Amazonía, ya que este departamento se encuentra en la zona transicional de estas dos regiones. Desde el enfoque de la ecología del paisaje, se agruparon los elementos que componen este paisaje en cinco sistemas planetarios: atmosférico, hidrosférico, geosférico, biosférico y antroposférico. Se valoraron las condiciones de los elementos seleccionados por cada sistema asignándole un costo de 1 a 10 para posteriormente representarlos por medio de una superficie de costo, lo cual permite comprender de manera sistémica la dinámica de conectividad y facilita saber dónde y de qué manera la configuración del paisaje restringe o favorece el movimiento de los flujos, las relaciones o los procesos ecológicos. Esta superficie de costo permitió entender que la configuración del paisaje del departamento en un 83% de su área permite la conectividad con un alto movimiento de flujos entre los Andes y la Amazonia colombiana.

Abstract: This paper analyzed how the configuration of landscape elements in the department of Caquetá, southern Colombia, allows or restricts the spread of flows involved in the ecological connectivity between the Andes and the Amazon, since this department is located in the transitional zone of these two regions. From a landscape ecology approach, the elements that make up this landscape were grouped into five planetary systems: atmospheric, hydrospheric, geospheric, biospheric and anthropospheric. The conditions of the elements selected for each system were assessed by assigning them a cost from 1 to 10 and then representing them by means of a cost surface, which allows a systemic understanding of the dynamics of connectivity and makes it easier to know where and in what way the configuration of the landscape restricts or favors the movement of flows, relationships or ecological processes. This cost surface allowed us to understand that the configuration of the landscape of the department in 83% of its area allows connectivity with a high movement of flows between the Andes and the Colombian Amazon.

Resumo: Neste trabalho se analisou como a configuração dos elementos da paisagem do departamento de Caquetá, no sul da Colômbia, permite ou restringe a propagação de fluxos envolvidos na conectividade ecológica entre os Andes e a Amazônia, já que este departamento se encontra na zona transicional destas duas regiões. Desde a abordagem da ecologia da paisagem, agruparam-se os elementos que compõem esta paisagem em cinco sistemas planetários: atmosférico, hidrosférico, geosférico, biosférico e antroposférico. Foram valorizadas as condições dos elementos selecionados por cada sistema atribuindo-lhe um custo de 1 a 10 para posteriormente representá-los por meio de uma superfície de custo, o que permite uma compreensão de maneira sistémica da dinâmica de conectividade e facilita saber onde e de que maneira a configuração da paisagem restringe ou favorece a circulação de fluxos, as relações ou os processos ecológicos. Esta superfície de custo permitiu entender que a configuração da paisagem do departamento em 83% de sua área permite a conectividade com um alto movimento de fluxos entre os Andes e a Amazônia colombiana.

Resumen La Infraestructura Ecológica es un concepto instrumental que propone una red interconectada de zonas naturales que son fundamentales para el mantenimiento de la biodiversidad y provisión de servicios ecosistémicos. En Chile, siete regiones administrativas cuentan con planes de Infraestructura Ecológica Regional (IER) diseñados que definen áreas naturales a conservar y restaurar. La región del Maule tiene IER desde el año 2018, sin embargo, sus áreas de conservación y restauración se concentran en la zona costera y andina; y la zona del valle longitudinal está prácticamente vacía. Este trabajo evaluó el paisaje con datos de mayor detalle (Sentinel-2) que los utilizados en el diseño de la IER (Landsat-8). Esto, para detectar nuevas oportunidades de conservación y/o restauración, y evaluar la mejora potencial de la conectividad del paisaje a escala local. Los resultados muestran que dentro del valle longitudinal dominado por cultivos existen fragmentos pequeños con cobertura natural que representan nuevas oportunidades para conservar representando 33.000 ha, y que 46.000 ha ya destinadas por la IER para su conservación, requieren acciones de restauración. Este enfoque puede ser útil para la planificación y gestión a nivel local en regiones que cuentan con IER, especialmente en localidades con pocas áreas de conservación o restauración.

Abstract Ecological Infrastructure is an instrumental concept that proposes an interconnected network of natural areas that are key to maintain biodiversity and provide ecosystem services. In Chile, seven of its sixteen administrative regions have Regional Ecological Infrastructure (IER) plans that define natural areas to be conserved and restored. The Maule region has had its IER since 2018, however, its conservation and restoration areas are concentrated in the coastal and Andean zone; and the longitudinal valley area is practically empty. In this work, the landscape was evaluated with data of higher detail (Sentinel) than that used in the design of the IER (Landsat), to detect new opportunities for conservation and / or restoration, and evaluate the potential improvement of the connectivity of the landscape to local scale. The results show that in the longitudinal valley dominated by crops there are small fragments with natural cover that represent new opportunities to conserve in this area representing 33,000 ha, and that 46,000 ha of the 82,000 ha already allocated by EI for their conservation, require restoration actions. This approach can be useful for planning and management at the local level in regions that have REIs, especially in localities that have few conservation or restoration areas.

RESUMO Objetivo. Comparar a diferença de cobertura e proporção de pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica controlada entre dezembro de 2020 e dezembro de 2021 em estabelecimentos de saúde que implementam a Iniciativa HEARTS, e explorar os facilitadores e as barreiras relacionados aos sistemas de informação no México. Métodos. Estudo observacional ecológico descritivo. Os resultados dos estabelecimentos de saúde que iniciaram a implementação da Iniciativa HEARTS (n=29) em Chiapas e Sonora foram comparados em relação às variáveis de cobertura de atenção e controle da hipertensão, em 4 períodos (semestres) de 2020 a 2021. Resultados. Há um maior número de mulheres em tratamento e controladas em relação aos homens nas diferentes faixas etárias. Foram identificadas algumas barreiras (por exemplo, multiplicidade de sistemas, falta de interoperabilidade e conexão limitada à internet nos estabelecimentos de saúde) e facilitadores (por exemplo, livre acesso à informação, disponibilidade de dados de anos anteriores e geração de estimativas e projeções) nos sistemas de informação. Conclusões. Cinquenta e cinco por cento dos estabelecimentos em implementação (16 estabelecimentos) melhoraram a proporção de pacientes controlados no período analisado. É importante monitorar os indicadores no nível de processos –tal monitoramento deve ser acompanhado por uma redistribuição das funções das equipes de saúde. Deve-se também assegurar o fornecimento de medicamentos para aumentar a eficácia da estratégia. Sugere-se fortalecer a implementação com os principais impulsionadores para o controle da hipertensão.

ABSTRACT Objective. To compare the differences in treatment coverage of patients with systemic arterial hypertension and the proportion of patients with controlled AHT, between December 2020 and December 2021 in health facilities that implemented the HEARTS Initiative, and to explore the facilitators and barriers related to information systems in Mexico. Methods. Descriptive ecological observational study. The results at health facilities that have begun implementing the HEARTS Initiative (n=29) in Chiapas and Sonora were compared, with respect to the variables of treatment coverage and control of AHT, across four periods (semesters) in 2020 and 2021. Results. There were more women than men in treatment and with controlled AHT in the different age groups. Some barriers were identified in information systems (e.g., multiplicity of systems, lack of interoperability, limited internet connectivity in health facilities), as well as facilitators (e.g., free access to information, availability of data from previous years, generation of estimates and projections). Conclusions. Sixteen (55%) of the implementing facilities improved the proportion of patients with controlled AHT in the period covered by the study. It is important to monitor indicators at the process level, and this should be accompanied by a redistribution of functions in health teams. It is also important to ensure a supply of medicines to enhance the effectiveness of the strategy. It is suggested to strengthen implementation with the key drivers for the control of arterial hypertension.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Comparar la diferencia en la cobertura y proporción de pacientes controlados con hipertensión arterial sistémica entre diciembre de 2020 y diciembre de 2021 en los establecimientos de salud con implementación de la Iniciativa HEARTS, y explorar los facilitadores y las barreras relacionados con los sistemas de información en México. Métodos. Estudio observacional ecológico descriptivo. Se compararon los resultados de los establecimientos de salud que han iniciado la implementación de la Iniciativa HEARTS (n=29) en Chiapas y Sonora, respecto a las variables de cobertura de atención y control de la hipertensión, en 4 periodos (semestres) del 2020 al 2021. Resultados. Existe mayor número de mujeres en tratamiento y en control respecto de los hombres en los diferentes grupos de edad. Se identificaron algunas barreras (p. ej.multiplicidad de sistemas, falta de interoperabilidad, conectividad limitada a internet en los establecimientos de salud) y facilitadores (p. ej.acceso libre a la información, disponibilidad de datos desde años previos, generación de estimaciones y proyecciones) en los sistemas de información. Conclusiones. El 55% de los establecimientos bajo implementación (16 establecimientos) mejoraron la proporción de pacientes controlados en el periodo analizado. Es importante monitorear indicadores a nivel de procesos, lo cual debe ir acompañado de una redistribución de las funciones de los equipos de salud y asegurar el abastecimiento de medicamentos para potenciar la efectividad de la estrategia. Se sugiere fortalecer la implementación con los impulsores clave para el control de la hipertensión.

Abstract: Overwhelming evidence points to the importance of maintaining connectivity given rapidly fragmenting habitats and climate change. Many efforts to identify where ecological corridors should be placed are based on estimates of structural connectivity that take advantage of readily available land-cover data. We provide an overview of structural connectivity methodology and review the various limitations of these methods for functional connectivity -- the degree to which corridors facilitate the movement of organisms. These limitations include not accounting for dispersal complexities and specific habitat requirements of focal species, and invisible barriers to movement. Also, to what extent will the resulting corridors serve the most vulnerable species under a rapidly changing climate? We describe several connectivity-modeling approaches designed to be climate-wise. Assessing species for traits that may make them more susceptible to extinction is one way to prioritize which species warrant additional data collection and demographic analyses to improve the likelihood that corridors will function for them. There is substantial evidence that traits such as limited movement or dispersal ability as well as geographic range and habitat restrictions make species more vulnerable. Therefore, we suggest using these traits to guide focal-species selection. Finally, we discuss the importance of employing new technologies to monitor individual movement and species utilization of corridors varying in width and other characteristics to help plan and verify functional connectivity for these species.

Resumen: La abrumadora evidencia apunta a la importancia de mantener la conectividad dada la rápida fragmentación de los hábitats y el cambio climático. Muchos esfuerzos para identificar dónde deben colocarse los corredores ecológicos se basan en estimaciones de conectividad estructural que aprovechan los datos de cobertura terrestre disponibles. Proporcionamos una visión general de la metodología de conectividad estructural y revisamos las diversas limitaciones de estos métodos para la conectividad funcional-- el grado en que los corredores facilitan el movimiento de organismos. Estos incluyen no tener en cuenta las complejidades de dispersión, los requisitos específicos de hábitat y las barreras invisibles al movimiento. Además, ¿hasta qué punto los corredores resultantes sirven a las especies más vulnerables bajo un clima que cambia rápidamente? Ofrecemos varios enfoques de modelado de conectividad diseñados para ser climáticos. Evaluar las especies en busca de rasgos que puedan hacerlos más susceptibles a la extinción es una forma de priorizar qué especies justifican la recolección de datos adicionales y los análisis demográficos para mejorar la probabilidad de que los corredores funcionen. Hay evidencia sustancial de que rasgos como el movimiento limitado o la capacidad de dispersión, así como el área geográfica y las restricciones de hábitat hacen que las especies sean más vulnerables. Por lo tanto, sugerimos el uso de estos rasgos para guiar la selección focal de especies. Por último, analizamos la importancia de emplear nuevas tecnologías para monitorear el movimiento individual y la utilización de especies de corredores que varían en anchura y otras características para ayudar a planificar y verificar la conectividad funcional de estas especies.

Abstract Background: Habitat fragmentation and degradation processes affect biodiversity by reducing habitat quantity and quality, with differential effects on the resident species. However, their consequences are not always noticeable as some ecological processes affected involve idiosyncratic responses among different animal groups. The Valdivian temperate rainforests of southern Chile are experiencing a rapid fragmentation and degradation process despite being a biodiversity hotspot. Deforestation is one of the main threats to these forests. There inhabits the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops gliroides , an iconic species from the Valdivian rainforest, it is the only extant representative of the ancient Microbiotheria order, and it is currently threatened by habitat loss. Here we tested the effects of habitat configuration on D. gliroides occurrence and abundance along 12 landscapes of southern Chile with different disturbance levels. Methods: We estimated D. gliroides occurrence and abundance using camera traps and related those metrics with landscape configuration indices obtained from FRAGSTATS (i.e., forest %, connectivity, patch number, contiguity, and distance to the nearest patch) using Bayesian linear mixed models. Results: We found that D. gliroides occurrence was not influenced by landscape configuration, while its abundance was positively influenced by forest contiguity. Conclusions: Although this arboreal marsupial is present in disturbed forests, its restricted movement capabilities and high dependency on the forest three-dimensional structure may affect its long-term persistence. We urge to rethink native forest conservation and management policies to improve habitat connectivity with possible positive consequences for native fauna.

Abstract Climate change (CC) and human footprint (HF) shape species spatial patterns and may affect the effectiveness of Protected Areas (PAs) network. Spatial patterns of threatened bird species of Subtropical–temperate hotspots in Southeastern South American grasslands are relevant biodiversity features to guide conservation policies. However, the PAs network covers less than 1% of grassland areas and does not overlap areas with the most suitable environmental conditions for threatened birds. Our aim was to find the most environmentally suitable areas for both current and future threatened birds (2050 and 2070) in Entre Ríos. We applied Systematic Conservation Planning protocols with Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) and ZONATION using distribution interaction function and HF as a cost. Then we overlapped binary maps to find priority areas among time periods. HF showed a more fragmented spatial configuration. The PAs network may include environmentally suitable conditions for threatened birds in CC scenarios and HF. We found areas that showed more connectivity in landscape prioritization over time and ensure high-quality environmental conditions for birds. We concluded that the effectiveness of the PAs network could be improved by overlapping priority areas. Our approach provides a knowledge base as a contribution to conservation-related decisions by considering HF and CC.

Abstract Free-living turbellarians mostly live in marine and freshwater environments, but they have been little considered in ecological studies. The coastal plain in southern Brazil harbors a diverse fauna and flora, but only a few studies have related environmental factors to the abundance, richness, and distribution of turbellarians. Hence, we analyzed the structure of turbellarian communities in floating vegetation in three differently sized limnic environments. We aimed to determine differences in abundance, density, and richness of turbellarians among these habitats in relation to environmental factors. We found 1,225 turbellarians (34 species) distributed among 6 taxa. The most abundant was Tricladida with 49.4% relative abundance; the remaining (Catenulida, Dalytyphloplanida, Macrostomorpha, Kalyptorhynchia, and Prorhynchida) were less abundant. We found no significant differences among population parameters and environments. Small shallow lakes are a potentially rich environment, while water channels are the richest environment. Larger shallow lakes are not very diverse for turbellarians. Similarities regarding turbellarian communities among close limnic systems could be explained by the connectivity of bodies of water that presents similar aquatic macrophytes and hydrological subsystems, while larger shallow lakes have a different community because they have their own contributing basin and could be influenced by other factors.

ABSTRACT Background: The objective of this study was the genetic characterization of remaining populations of the species Paratecoma peroba occurring in fragments of the Atlantic Forest, by estimating parameters of diversity and genetic structure. The study was carried out in two forest fragments, the Atlantic Forest Environmental Education Pole (area 1) and the Pacotuba National Forest (area 2), where 93 adult trees were identified. Results: Ten Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) primers were used in genotyping, obtaining 112 amplified bands with 87.5% polymorphism. The genetic diversity estimated for the populations from the Nei (H*) and Shannon (I*) indices was higher for area 1. For the joint data, moderate genetic diversity was observed, referring to the average values of 0.26 and 0.40, obtained for the H* and I* indices, respectively. Molecular variance analysis resulted in moderate differentiation between populations (Φ ST = 0.143), while gene flow analysis (N m = 6.69) revealed the occurrence of similar alleles between them. However, the predominance of a single genetic group in area 2, revealed from Bayesian approach, indicates that its genetic structure, possibly generated by the current scenario of fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest and the distancing of populations, affecting the contemporary gene flow. Conclusion: Despite the moderate genetic diversity of the species for the area 2 population, actions toward inclusion of seedlings obtained from seeds from neighboring fragments, including area 1, and the increase in the connectivity of forest fragments through ecological corridors, could assist in augmenting its genetic variation.

Resumo Evidências indicam que os peixes migradores se reproduzem no médio rio Uruguai, mas a localização dos locais de desova ainda permanece desconhecida. Para identificar estes locais, foram realizadas mensalmente entre outubro de 2016 e janeiro de 2017, amostragens de ovos e larvas de peixes em três seções ao longo do médio rio Uruguai, cobrindo dois ambientes: o canal principal e a foz dos afluentes (rios Comandaí, Ijuí e Piratinim). Foram capturados 11.519 ovos e 3.211 larvas, pertencentes a dez espécies migradoras. Ovos e larvas de peixes migradores, foram amplamente distribuídos, com predomínio de ovos segmentados e larvas em estágios de larval-vitelino e pré-flexão, com maiores densidades próximo à confluência com o rio Piratinim. As assembleias de larvas mostraram variação espacial, indicando que os locais de desova diferem entre as espécies migradoras. Este estudo fornece novas informações sobre a reprodução de peixes no médio rio Uruguai, revelando que espécies migradoras desovam em diferentes localidades ao longo do canal principal e afluentes. Esta região pode funcionar como um local crítico para a reprodução de peixes, embora atualmente esteja ameaçada pelo risco de expansão da energia hidrelétrica, enfatizando a necessidade de medidas que preservem suas condições ambientais, conectividade hidrológica e funções ecológicas.

Abstract Evidence indicates that migratory fish reproduce in the middle Uruguay River, but the location of spawning sites remains unknown. To identify spawning sites in the basin, fish eggs and larvae were sampled monthly between October 2016 and January 2017. The sampling was carried out in three sections along the middle Uruguay River, covering two environments: the main channel and the mouth of tributaries (Comandaí, Ijuí, and Piratinim rivers). A total of 11,519 eggs and 3,211 larvae were captured, belonged to ten migratory species. Eggs and larvae of migratory fishes, were widely distributed, with predominance of segmented eggs, and larvae in yolk-sac and pre-flexion stages, with higher densities near the confluence with the Piratinim River. Larvae assemblages showed spatial variation, indicating that spawning sites differ among migratory species. This study provides new information about fish reproduction in the middle Uruguay River, revealing that migratory species spawn in different localities along the main channel and tributaries. This region may function as a critical site for fish reproduction, although it is currently threatened by the risk of hydropower expansion, emphasizing the need for measures that preserve their environmental conditions, hydrological connectivity and ecological functions.

Resumen Introducción: La estimación de la conectividad en corales escleractinios, como P. verrucosa, dentro de una red de áreas marinas protegidas (MPA) preestablecidas es fundamental para garantizar la efectividad en su conservación e incrementar su resiliencia. Objetivo: Determinar la estructura genética y la conectividad entre los demes de P. verrucosa dentro del Golfo de California, y evaluar el papel y efectividad de la red preestablecida de áreas marinas protegidas. Métodos: Se evaluó la conectividad de P. verrucosa en cinco locaciones a lo largo del golfo incluyendo tres MPA usando seis marcadores microsatélites. Resultados: Se demostró que existe estructura poblacional adjudicada a la presencia local y heterogénea de individuos clones (F ST = 0.108***); pero al removerlos del análisis, los individuos de origen sexual conformaron una metapoblación en panmixia (F ST = 0.0007 NS). Así mismo, se identificaron 10 potenciales migrantes en la región con una dispersión promedio de 116.57 km (± 80.47 SE) y sin conexión entre localidades extremas. De relevancia, se identificó la importancia ecológica del área central o Bahía de La Paz y MPA Archipiélago Espíritu Santo, como fuente larvaria de corales a toda la región. Además, se determinó que el espacio inter-MPA fue mayor que la distancia de dispersión promedio larvaria mencionada, por lo que sería de importancia ecológica el establecimiento de MPAs intermedias que favorezcan la conectividad a distancias cortas. Conclusiones: Los resultados encontrados en el estudio son pertinentes y contribuyen como línea base para los tomadores de decisiones y autoridades, proporcionando la conectividad de la región para establecer las estrategias de protección apropiadas, sugiriendo aumentar la conservación de las subpoblaciones centrales, la cuales promueven la resiliencia metapoblacional de P. verrucosa ante factores ambientales y/o antropogénicos.

Abstract Introduction: Estimates of contemporary connectivity of the broadcast spawning coral Pocillopora verrucosa between multi-use marine protected areas (MUMPAs) are required to assess MUMPA effectiveness and their ability to enhance resilience against disturbances. Objective: To determine the genetic structure and connectivity patterns between P. verrucosa demes inside the Gulf of California and evaluate the role and effectiveness of established MUMPAS in their protection and resilience. Methods: We assessed P. verrucosa connectivity along its peninsular range (∼350 km), including five locations and three MUMPAs in the Gulf of California using six microsatellite genetic markers. Results: Population structure was significant (F ST = 0.108***) when demes included clonal replicates; however, when these clones were removed from the analysis, the sexual individuals comprised a metapopulation panmixia (F ST = 0.0007 NS). To further understand connectivity patterns, an assignment test was carried out which identified ten recent between-deme migrants with a mean dispersal distance of 116.6 km (± 80.5 SE). No long-distance dispersal was detected. These results highlight the ecological importance of the Bahía de La Paz region, including Archipiélago de Espíritu Santo MUMPA. This region, located at the center of the species peninsular range, exports larva to downstream sink demes such as the Loreto (northwardly) and Cabo Pulmo (southwardly) MUMPAs. Of importance, inter-MUMPA spacing was larger than the mean larval dispersal by ~56 km, suggesting thar the designation of intermediate ‘no-take’ zones would enhance short-distance connectivity. Conclusion: This study contributes as a baseline for policymakers and authorities to provide robust strategies for coral ecosystem protection and suggest that protection efforts must be increased towards peninsular intermediate reefs to promote metapopulation resilience from natural and anthropogenic factors.