CEAZA
Condiciones paleovegetacionales y asentamientos humanos durante el formativo temprano: análisis de polen del sitio Tulán-85 (1.530/1.260-460/420 años cal. a.c.), cuenca del Salar de Atacama.
González-Silvestre, L., Maldonado, A., Núñez, L., Cartajena, I., Carrasco, C., & de Souza, P.
Se presenta el análisis polínico obtenido de una columna estratigráfica que cubre toda la secuencia ocupacional del asentamiento formativo temprano Tulán-85 localizado al sureste del salar de Atacama fechado entre los 1.530-1.260 a 460-420 cal. a.C. Se concluye que es posible diferenciar mediante el polen actual tres pisos altitudinales de vegetación, al tanto que la comparación de las muestras fósiles con aquellas actuales sugieren condiciones de mayor humedad en la base de la secuencia, al comienzo de la fase Tilocalar (1.530-1.260 cal. a.C.). En los niveles medios comienzan los eventos áridos, identificándose al final de la columna los mayores indicadores de aridez. Los antecedentes paleoclimáticos de la alta puna señalan que las ocupaciones pastoralistas de la fase Tilocalar son sincrónicas con el establecimiento de condiciones más húmedas, lo que es concordante con los resultados del análisis polínico. Estas habrían repercutido favorablemente en las ocupaciones pastoralistas en los pisos inferiores. Es importante destacar la identificación de eventos de aridez hacia el final de la ocupación, los que no habían sido descritos con anterioridad para el área de estudio.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Formativo Temprano, polen fósil, condiciones húmedas, eventos áridos, salar de Atacama.
Referencia APA: González-Silvestre, L., Maldonado, A., Núñez, L., Cartajena, I., Carrasco, C., & de Souza, P. (2013). Condiciones paleovegetacionales y asentamientos humanos durante el formativo temprano: análisis de polen del sitio Tulán-85 (1.530/1.260-460/420 años cal. a.c.), cuenca del Salar de Atacama. Chungará (Arica), 45(3), 387-410.
Parameterisation of incoming longwave radiation over glacier surfaces in the semiarid Andes of Chile.
MacDonell, S., Nicholson, L., & Kinnard, C.
A good understanding of radiation fluxes is important for calculating energy, and hence, mass exchange at glacier surfaces. This study evaluates incoming longwave radiation measured at two nearby glacier stations in the high Andes of the Norte Chico region of Chile. These data are the first published records of atmospheric longwave radiation measurements in this region. Nine previously published optimised parameterisations for clear sky emissivity all produced results with a root mean square error (RMSE) ~20 W m−2 and bias within ±5 W m−2, which is inline with findings from other regions. Six optimised parameterisations for incoming longwave in all sky conditions were trialled for application to this site, five of which performed comparably well with RMSE on daytime data <18 W m−2 and bias within ±6 W m−2 when applied to the optimisation site and RMSE <20 W m−2 and bias within ±10 W m−2 when applied to the validation site. The parameterisation proposed by Mölg et al. (J Glaciol 55:292-302, 2009) was selected for use in this region. Incorporating the proposed elevation modification into the equation reduced the bias in the modelled incoming longwave radiation for the validation site. It was found that applying the parameterisation optimised in the original work at Kilimanjaro produced good results at both the primary and validation site in this study, suggesting that this formulation may be robust for different high mountain regions.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: MacDonell, S., Nicholson, L., & Kinnard, C. (2013). Parameterisation of incoming longwave radiation over glacier surfaces in the semiarid Andes of Chile. Theoretical And Applied Climatology, 111(3-4), 513-528.
Ecophysiological constraints on the larvae of Pleuroncodes monodon and the implications for its reproductive strategy in poorly oxygenated waters of the Chile-Peru undercurrent.
Yannicelli, B. & Castro, L.
Pleuroncodes monodon is a conspicuous component of the Humboldt Current ecosystem. Benthic adults south of ∼22°S are associated with low temperature (T) ∼11°C and low dissolved oxygen (DO) (<0.5 mL L−1) waters during the hatching period. Because P. mondon inhabits an oxygen minimum zone and larval release is assumed to match most favorable environmental conditions, larval performance under cold hypoxic conditions and its implications have not yet been assessed experimentally. We quantitatively assessed the effect of DO and T within environmental ranges, and initial starvation on survival, developmental time, and growth of P. monodon zoeae. Molting success from zoea I to zoea II was significantly and positively dependent on DO rearing levels. Age at molting was a negative power function of oxygen concentration. Initial exposure to low DO increased larval mortality by 3% per day of exposure. After ∼4 and ∼1.5 days of starvation after birth under normoxia and hypoxia, respectively, 50% of larvae failed to molt to zoea II. Rearing in 1 mL L−1 DO produced 50% lighter larvae after molting into zoea II. Mortality of larvae reared at 11°C was 40% higher than that at 15 and 20°C. Functions for development time and growth negative/positive dependence on temperature were also fitted. Pleuroncodes monodon zoea I are highly tolerant of low oxygen when compared with other crustacean. Nevertheless, DO and T conditions during hatching season are suboptimal for development. Early larval survival as an ultimate cause of reproductive/environmental coupling in this case should be critically revised.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Developmental time, growth, hypoxia, Pleuroncodes monodon, point-of-no-return, survival, temperature.
Referencia APA: Yannicelli, B. & Castro, L. (2013). Ecophysiological constraints on the larvae of Pleuroncodes monodon and the implications for its reproductive strategy in poorly oxygenated waters of the Chile-Peru undercurrent. Journal Of Plankton Research, 35(3), 566-581.
Linking human activity and ecosystem condition to inform marine ecosystem based management.
Menzel, S., Kappel, C., Broitman, B., Micheli, F., & Rosenberg, A.
There is growing consensus that integrated marine management is needed. However, implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM) faces major operational challenges, including accurately delineating the links between ecosystem components and benefits to humans, and quantifying trade-offs associated with different management decisions.
It is suggested using human activity level as an indicator of the benefit provided by marine ecosystems at a certain location in comparison with other locations and establishing links between human activity levels and ecological conditions.
This approach allows for the determination of what ecological conditions may provide the greatest human benefits and thus may be targets for management action.
This approach is used to investigate the link between scuba diving in the Monterey Bay area, California, USA, and different ecological characteristics of kelp forests. Diving intensity levels correlate with kelp persistence, suggesting that kelp persistence may be used as an indicator of benefits from diving and for evaluating the impact of potentially competing activities through their effects on kelp.
Overall, an operational definition of marine ecosystem services is provided and it is suggested that this method could be extended to a suite of different activities and systems and thus may become useful in considering trade-offs among different activities that depend upon the same ecosystem.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Ecosystem services; natural resource management; ecological indicators; Monterey Bay; California; kelp forest ecosystem; scuba diving; ecological production function; human benefits from ecosystems.
Referencia APA: Menzel, S., Kappel, C., Broitman, B., Micheli, F., & Rosenberg, A. (2013). Linking human activity and ecosystem condition to inform marine ecosystem based management. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst., 23(4), 506-514.
The response of leaf respiration to water stress in Nothofagus species.
Sanhueza, C., Bascunan-Godoy, L., Corcuera, L., & Turnbull, M.
Nothofagus solandri is regarded as more tolerant to drought than Nothofagus menziesii in the field. However, the physiology of responses to water limitation in these species is not well understood. In this study, the thermal sensitivity of leaf respiration and its underlying metabolism in response to drought were investigated in mature trees and saplings. Respiration (R d) and photosynthesis (A max) were measured during drying and re-wetting cycles. In addition, respiratory pathway changes were evaluated by oxygen isotope fractionation and protein analyses. Under drought treatment in the glasshouse, both species showed similar photosynthetic performance, but under mild water stress N. solandri was able to increase A max. Under moderate water deficit (around −2 MPa), N. solandri increased respiration at a base temperature of 10°C (R 10) but then decreased it to initial values after re-watering. In N. menziesii, R 10 did not respond significantly to water-stress treatment. The temperature sensitivity of R d (Q 10 and E o) was unchanged for both species during the gradual deficit water treatment in the glasshouse. Although respiratory electron flow was mainly via the cytochrome pathway under all conditions, an increase in alternative oxidase/cytochrome oxidase protein content suggests that the alternative pathway is involved in modulating respiratory metabolism during the recovery after drought.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Alternative oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, drought, metabolism, New Zealand, trees.
Referencia APA: Sanhueza, C., Bascunan-Godoy, L., Corcuera, L., & Turnbull, M. (2013). The response of leaf respiration to water stress in Nothofagus species. New Zealand Journal Of Botany, 51(2), 88-103.
Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates and biotic indices to evaluate water quality in rivers impacted by mining activities in northern Chile.
Alvial, I., Tapia, D., Castro, M., Duran, B., & Verdugo, C.
Catchments in the semiarid regions are especially susceptible to environmental perturbation associated with water scarcity, hydrological variations and overuse by anthropogenic activities. Using multivariate analysis to relate environmental and biological data, and diversity and biotic indices (ChBMWP, ChIBF), we analyzed the macroinvertebrate composition of 12 rivers of the semiarid region of northern Chile. A non-metric multidimensional scaling for macroinvertebrate taxa and a principal component analysis for environmental variables strongly separated upstream sites (e.g. Vacas Heladas and Malo Rivers), which presented low pH and high dissolved metal concentrations, from other sites. Effectively, CCA showed that metals and low pH, associated with the altitudinal gradient, determined the distributional patterns of macroinvertebrates in the Elqui catchment. The causes of these particular conditions could be related to geological processes and human impact. The biotic indices applied to the sampling sites corroborated and reflected these characteristics, with La Laguna and Turbio Rivers showing a diverse macroinvertebrate community and moderate to good water quality, and the Claro River showing favorable conditions for the development of aquatic biota, indicating its better quality relative to other stations. To the middle and low part of the basin, a change in the composition of the community was observed, with species that suggest an impact by an increase in organic matter, due to agricultural activities and urban settlements concentrated in this area. Our results suggest that macroinvertebrate taxa in northern Chile may be exceptional species, adapted to unfavorable geochemical conditions, and emphasize the need for protection of the semiarid basins of the region.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: macro-invertebrates / biotic indices / multivariate analysis / semiarid region
Referencia APA: Alvial, I., Tapia, D., Castro, M., Duran, B., & Verdugo, C. (2013). Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates and biotic indices to evaluate water quality in rivers impacted by mining activities in northern Chile. Knowledge And Management Of Aquatic Ecosystems, (407), 01.
Meteorological observations on the northern Chilean coast during VOCALS-REx.
Rutllant, J., Muñoz, R., & Garreaud, R.
Surface coastal observations from two automatic weather stations at Paposo (~25° S) and radiosonde observations at Paposo and Iquique (~20° S) were carried out during VOCALS-REx (VAMOS Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere-Land Study Regional Experiment). Within the coastal marine boundary layer (MBL), sea–land breezes are superimposed on the prevailing southerlies, resulting in light northeasterly winds from midnight to early morning and strong southwesterlies in the afternoon. The prevailing northerlies above the MBL and below the top of the Andes are modulated by the onshore-offshore (zonal) flow forced by the diurnal cycle of surface heating/cooling along the western slope of the Andes. The daytime phase of this diurnal cycle is consistent with an enhanced afternoon coastal subsidence manifested in afternoon warming near the top of the subsidence inversion (~1.8 K at 800 hPa), lowering (~130 m) of its base (top of the MBL), and clearing of coastal Sc (stratocumulus) clouds. Results from a numerical simulation of the atmospheric circulation in a mean zonal cross section over the study area capture the afternoon zonal wind divergence and resulting subsidence of about 2 cm s−1 along a narrow (~10 km) coastal strip maximizing at around 800 hPa. Day-to-day variability in the MBL depth during VOCALS-REx shows sub-synoptic oscillations, aside from two major disruptions in connection with a deep trough and a cutoff low, as described elsewhere. These oscillations are phase-locked to those in sea-level pressure and afternoon alongshore southerlies, as found in connection with coastal lows farther south.
From 24-h forward trajectories issued from significant points at the coast and inland at the extremes of the diurnal cycle, it can be concluded that the strong mean daytime Andean pumping prevents any possibility of continental sulfur sources from reaching the free troposphere above the Sc cloud deck in at least a one-day timescale, under mean conditions. Conversely, coastal sources could contribute with sulfur aerosols preferentially in the morning, provided that the weak daytime inland flow becomes partially blocked by the coastal terrain.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Rutllant, J., Muñoz, R., & Garreaud, R. (2013). Meteorological observations on the northern Chilean coast during VOCALS-REx. Atmospheric Chemistry And Physics, 13(6), 3409-3422.
Anthropogenic marine debris in the coastal environment: A multi-year comparison between coastal waters and local shores.
Thiel, M., Hinojosa, I., Miranda, L., Pantoja, J., Rivadeneira, M., & Vásquez, N.
Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is frequently studied on sandy beaches and occasionally in coastal waters, but links between these two environments have rarely been studied. High densities of AMD were found in coastal waters and on local shores of a large bay system in northern-central Chile. No seasonal pattern in AMD densities was found, but there was a trend of increasing densities over the entire study period. While plastics and Styrofoam were the most common types of AMD both on shores and in coastal waters, AMD composition differed slightly between the two environments. The results suggest that AMD from coastal waters are deposited on local shores, which over time accumulate all types of AMD. The types and the very low percentages of AMD with epibionts point to mostly local sources. Based on these results, it can be concluded that a reduction of AMD will require local solutions.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Anthropogenic marine debris; Local shores; Coastal waters; Plastics; SE Pacific.
Referencia APA: Thiel, M., Hinojosa, I., Miranda, L., Pantoja, J., Rivadeneira, M., & Vásquez, N. (2013). Anthropogenic marine debris in the coastal environment: A multi-year comparison between coastal waters and local shores. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 71(1-2), 307-316
Daidzein and Genistein contents in seeds of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) from local ecotypes grown in arid Chile.
Lutz, M., Martínez, A., & Martínez, E.
The contents of bioactive compounds of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are poorly known. We analyzed two isoflavones (daidzein and genistein) by HPLC in three local ecotypes of quinoa seeds from three different geographical and genetic regions in Chile: (a) Extreme North, with prevailing conditions of high temperature and dryness (local ecotype R49); (b) Center, with milder climate (local ecotype UdeC9); and (c) South, with cold, humid environment (local ecotype BO78). Genetic-driven differences among cultivars were tested by homogenizing the culture conditions of the three seed sources. In addition, seven commercial samples of quinoa purchased at local food markets were analyzed and compared to our experimental harvested seeds. In all samples daidzein content was higher than genistein (P < 0.05). The northern ecotype R49 exhibited higher content of isoflavones compared with the other two (UdeC9 and BO78), all grown under the same experimental conditions. Daidzein ranged from 1.15 (R49) to 0.70 (BO78) mg/100 g, while genistein varied from 0.25 (R49) to 0.05 (UdeC9) mg/100 g. Ecotype R49 had 1.6 and 1.7 fold higher daidzein contents than UdeC9 and BO78, respectively (P < 0.05). In the commercial samples, the daidzein/genistein ratio ranged from 25.2 to 3.9, daidzein ranged from 2.05 to 0.78 mg/100 g, and genistein ranged from 0.41 to 0.04 mg/100 g. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the contents of daidzein and genistein in quinoa seeds. The study demonstrates that, besides its well-recognized nutritional value, quinoa possesses an excellent potential as a source of these health-promoting bioactive compounds.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Quinoa; Daidzein; Genistein; Isoflavones; Ecotypes.
Referencia APA: Lutz, M., Martínez, A., & Martínez, E. (2013). Daidzein and Genistein contents in seeds of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) from local ecotypes grown in arid Chile. Industrial Crops And Products, 49, 117-121.
Importance of geochemical factors in determining distribution patterns of aquatic invertebrates in mountain streams south of the Atacama Desert, Chile.
Alvial, I., Orth, K., Durán, B., Álvarez, E., & Squeo, F.
The ecology of macroinvertebrate communities in arid regions is still poorly understood. Here we examined how the community structure varied at spatial and temporal scales in streams and tributaries of the Huasco River in semi-arid region of Northern Chile. We expected that macroinvertebrate distribution may be responding to natural processes of mineralization described for Chilean semiarid basins. The relationships among biotic and abiotic variables were assessed through multivariate techniques (principal component analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling, canonical correspondence analysis), and a two-way analysis of similarity was used to evaluate differences between basins and years (2007, 2008, and 2009). Significant differences in community structure and physical–chemical variables between basins (Del Carmen and Del Tránsito) were found, but not between years. Altitude, Mn, Al, Ca, Na, HCO3, and dissolved oxygen were the variables that best accounted for the communities distribution. In particular, high metals concentration in El Transito basin should determine low density and diversity of macroinvertebrates. Chironomidae, Ephydridae, and Glossiphoniidae were associated to waters with high metals content and acidic pH, whereas Baetidae, Hydroptilidae, and Blephariceridae were associated to sites with more favorable physical–chemical conditions. These results contribute to understand the ecological patterns of macroinvertebrates in arid regions and should lead to conservation and monitoring plans for this remote place.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Huasco basin, Desert climate, Macroinvertebrates, Biomonitoring, Habitat variables, Handling editor: Koen Martens
Referencia APA: Alvial, I., Orth, K., Durán, B., Álvarez, E., & Squeo, F. (2013). Importance of geochemical factors in determining distribution patterns of aquatic invertebrates in mountain streams south of the Atacama Desert, Chile. Hydrobiologia, 709(1), 11-25.
Estimating Spatial Distribution of Air Temperature from Meteorological Stations Using Atmospheric Model.
Montecinos, S., Bascuñán-Godoy, L., Salinas, P., Astudillo, O., & Lopez, D.
Planning agricultural procedures needs to take into account meteorological conditions. However, because of high associated costs, the density of meteorological stations is often not enough to cover all the cultivated or potentially cultivated areas. In this article we present a methodology to estimate seasonal maximum and minimum mean temperature in cultivated area using data registered in a sole or a few meteorological stations. The procedure is based on mesoscale modeling, which allows meteorological variables to be spatially distributed considering synoptic data and local characteristics.
Simulated daily cycle of temperature was compared with data registered at six meteorological stations located in the cultivated floor of the semiarid Limari Valley (Chile, 31°S). Although in some cases the simulated temperature differs in about 2°C with the observed one, a good fit between model results and experimental data was observed. Using the simulated seasonal minimum and maximum mean temperature fields, maps of temperature differences with respect to a reference station were drawn. In order to observe the influence of the orography on the lapse rate around a station, the methodology was applied for two reference stations located in places with different orographic characteristics. Results for winter and summer seasons are shown.
These generated maps can be used by farmers and agricultural planners to obtain information of seasonal minimum and maximum mean temperature from a station in any site of the cultivated area. This technique is a good alternative to obtain meteorological information at low costs, contributing to territorial planning for climate resilient agriculture sustainability.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Montecinos, S., Bascuñán-Godoy, L., Salinas, P., Astudillo, O., & Lopez, D. (2013). Estimating Spatial Distribution of Air Temperature from Meteorological Stations Using Atmospheric Model. Journal Of Agricultural Science, 5(2).
Positive interactions between the lichen Usnea antarctica (Parmeliaceae) and the native flora in Maritime Antarctica.
Molina-Montenegro, M., Ricote-Martínez, N., Muñoz-Ramírez, C., Gómez-González, S., Torres-Díaz, C., Salgado-Luarte, C., & Gianoli, E.
Eight out of 13 species were positively associated with cushions of the widespread lichen U. antarctica, while only one species (U. aurantiaco-atra) showed a negative association with U. antarctica. Survival of Deschampsia was enhanced when growing associated with U. antarctica cushions. Our results indicate that cushions ameliorated the extreme conditions of Antarctic islands through increased temperature and soil moisture, decreased radiation and evaporative water loss and increased nutrient availability.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Antarctica; Deschampsia antarctica ; Facilitation; Global warming; Lichens; Mosses; Nurse effect.
Referencia APA: Molina-Montenegro, M., Ricote-Martínez, N., Muñoz-Ramírez, C., Gómez-González, S., Torres-Díaz, C., Salgado-Luarte, C., & Gianoli, E. (2013). Positive interactions between the lichen Usnea antarctica (Parmeliaceae) and the native flora in Maritime Antarctica. J Veg Sci, 24(3), 463-472. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2012.01480.x