CEAZA
Major hydrological regime change along the semiarid western coast of South America — Response to comments by Maldonado and Moreiras [page number in this issue].
Ortega, C., Vargas, G., & Rutllant, J.
Based on the sedimentology, geomorphology and geochronology of eolian and alluvial deposits at Quebrada Santa Julia (QSJ, 31°50′S) site, in a small coastal watershed in the semiarid central Chile, Ortega et al. (2012) interpreted a regional arid climate setting concomitantly with high local humidity due to reinforced coastal fog development between 13,000 and 8600 cal yr BP. Together with other continental proxies and paleo-SST records off central Chile, Ortega et al. (2012) proposed La Niña-like conditions during the latest Pleistocene‒early Holocene along this semiarid coast. A major hydrologic regime shift shortly after 8600 cal yr BP resulted in higher frequency of torrential rainfall episodes still under an arid climate setting, before the onset of El Niño at ~ 5500 cal yr BP (e.g., Rodbell et al., 1999). This hypothesis differs from that of Maldonado and Moreiras (2013) based on pollen records, who suggest humid conditions associated with precipitation around 13,000 and 10,500 cal yr BP (e.g., Maldonado et al., 2010).
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Early Holocene; Coastal fog; Rainfall; Hydrologic change; Lifting condensation level; Sea level.
Referencia APA: Ortega, C., Vargas, G., & Rutllant, J. (2013). Major hydrological regime change along the semiarid western coast of South America — Response to comments by Maldonado and Moreiras [page number in this issue]. Quaternary Research, 80(1), 140-142.
Ecophysiological plasticity and local differentiation help explain the invasion success of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) in South America.
Molina-Montenegro, M., Palma-Rojas, C., Alcayaga-Olivares, Y., Oses, R., Corcuera, L., Cavieres, L., & Gianoli, E.
Plasticity and local adaptation have been suggested as two main mechanisms that alien species use to successfully tolerate and invade broad geographic areas. In the present study, we try answer the question if the mechanism for the broad distributional range of T. officinale is for phenotypic plasticity, ecotypic adaptation or both. For this, we used individuals of T. officinale originated from seeds collected in five localities along its latitudinal distribution range in the southern-hemisphere. Seedlings were acclimated at 5 and 25°C for one month. After the acclimation period we evaluated ecophysiological and cytogenetic traits. Additionally, we assessed the fitness at each temperature by recording the seed output of individuals from different localities. Finally, we performed a manipulative experiment in order to assess the tolerance to herbivory and competitive ability between T. officinale from all origins and Hypochaeris scorzonerae a co-occurring native species. Overall, individuals of T. officinale showed high plasticity and ecotypic adaptation for all traits assessed in this study. Changes both in physiology and morphology observed in T. officinale from different origins were mostly correlated, enhancing their ecophysiological performance in temperatures similar to those of their origin. Additionally, all localities showed the same chromosome number and ploidy level. On the other hand, all individuals showed an increase the seed output at 25°C, but those from northern localities increased more. T. officinale from all origins was not significantly affected by herbivory while native showed a negative effect. On the other hand, T. officinale exerted a strong negative effect on the native species, but this former not effected significantly to the invasive T. officinale. High plasticity and local adaptation in all ecophysiological traits, seed-set and the low cytogenetic variability in T. officinale suggests that both strategies are present in this invasive plant species and are not mutually exclusive. Finally, higher tolerance to herbivory and competitive ability suggests that T. officinale could perform successfully in environments with different climatic conditions, and thus colonize and invade South-America.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Molina-Montenegro, M., Palma-Rojas, C., Alcayaga-Olivares, Y., Oses, R., Corcuera, L., Cavieres, L., & Gianoli, E. (2013). Ecophysiological plasticity and local differentiation help explain the invasion success of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) in South America. Ecography, 36(6), 718-730.
Is Physiological Performance a Good Predictor for Fitness? Insights from an Invasive Plant Species.
Molina-Montenegro, M., Salgado-Luarte, C., Oses, R., & Torres-Díaz, C.
Is physiological performance a suitable proxy of fitness in plants? Although, several studies have been conducted to measure some fitness-related traits and physiological performance, direct assessments are seldom found in the literature. Here, we assessed the physiology-fitness relationship using second-generation individuals of the invasive plant species Taraxacum officinale from 17 localities distributed in five continents. Specifically, we tested if i) the maximum quantum yield is a good predictor for seed-output ii) whether this physiology-fitness relationship can be modified by environmental heterogeneity, and iii) if this relationship has an adaptive consequence for T. officinale individuals from different localities. Overall, we found a significant positive relationship between the maximum quantum yield and fitness for all localities evaluated, but this relationship decreased in T. officinale individuals from localities with greater environmental heterogeneity. Finally, we found that those individuals from localities where environmental conditions are highly seasonal performed better under heterogeneous environmental conditions. Contrarily, under homogeneous controlled conditions, those individuals from localities with low environmental seasonality performed much better. In conclusion, our results suggest that the maximum quantum yield seem to be good predictors for plant fitness. We suggest that rapid measurements, such as those obtained from the maximum quantum yield, could provide a straightforward proxy of individual’s fitness in changing environments.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Plant physiology, Photosynthesis, Seeds, Physiological adaptation, Chlorophyll, Rain, Invasive species, Ecophysiology.
Referencia APA: Molina-Montenegro, M., Salgado-Luarte, C., Oses, R., & Torres-Díaz, C. (2013). Is Physiological Performance a Good Predictor for Fitness? Insights from an Invasive Plant Species. Plos ONE, 8(10), e76432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076432
Internal structure and composition of a rock glacier in the Andes (upper Choapa valley, Chile) using borehole information and ground-penetrating radar.
Monnier, S. & Kinnard, C.
This study uses boreholes, ground temperature monitoring and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in order to understand the internal structure and composition of a rock glacier in the upper Choapa valley, northern Chile. The rock glacier is a small valley-side feature, 200 m long and ranging between 3710 and 3780 m a.s.l. Two boreholes were drilled down to depths of 20 and 25 m, respectively, using the diamond drillhole technique. An ice–rock mixture was encountered in the boreholes, with heterogeneous ice content averaging 15–30%. Data from common-midpoint (CMP) and constant-offset (CO) GPR surveys acquired, respectively, near the boreholes and across the whole rock glacier were processed to highlight the internal stratigraphy and variations in the radar-wave velocity. The GPR profiles depict a rock glacier constituted of stacked and generally concordant layers, with a thickness ranging from 10 m in its upper part to ∼30 m towards its terminus. The CMP analysis highlights radar-wave velocities of 0.13–0.16 m ns–1 in the first 20 m of the structure. Larger vertical and lateral velocity variations are highlighted from CO data, reflecting the heterogeneous composition of the rock glacier and the likely presence of unfrozen water in the structure. Given the average air temperature registered at the site (+0.5°C), the near-melting-point temperature registered in the boreholes over more than a year and the presence of locally high water content inferred from GPR data, it is thought that the permafrost in the rock glacier is currently degrading.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Monnier, S. & Kinnard, C. (2013). Internal structure and composition of a rock glacier in the Andes (upper Choapa valley, Chile) using borehole information and ground-penetrating radar. Annals Of Glaciology, 54(64), 61-72.
Zoning of the Mejillones Peninsula marine protected coastal area of multiple uses, northern Chile.
Ulloa, R., Vargas, A., Hudson, C., & Rivadeneira, M.
Marine protected areas of multiple uses (MPA-MU), are an important management tool to protect biodiversity and regulate the use of coastal marine resources. However, robust conservation plans require an explicit consideration of not only biological but also social components, balancing the protection of biodiversity with a sustainable exploitation of marine resources. Here we applied the decision-making algorithm MARXAN to provide a zoning analysis at the Mejillones Peninsula MPA-MU in northern Chile, one of largest MPA's of the Humboldt Current Marine Ecosystem. We set conservation goals for coarse and fine-filter conservation targets that were crossed out against different threats and pressure factors from human activities across the area. We identified a portfolio of sites for conservation, within the Mejillones Peninsula MPA-MU, representing different ecological systems with different levels of human impacts and vulnerability. These results may serve as a foundational guideline for the future administration of the MPA-MU.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: MPA-MU, MARXAN, conservation plans, marine coastal ecosystems, northern Chile.
Referencia APA: Ulloa, R., Vargas, A., Hudson, C., & Rivadeneira, M. (2013). Zoning of the Mejillones Peninsula marine protected coastal area of multiple uses, northern Chile. Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res. vol.41 no.3 Valparaíso jul.
Naturalised grapevines collected from arid regions in Northern Chile exhibit a high level of genetic diversity.
Milla-Tapia, A., Gómez, S., Moncada, X., León, P., Ibacache, A., & Rosas, M. et al.
Over 150 grapevine accessions were collected and characterised using 11 Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers, to determine the genetic diversity and to propose a population structuring. SSR diversity was high, with observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.87) greater than expected heterozygosity (He = 0.70). Three discrete genetic groups were identified, which did not show any association with geographical distribution. Groups 1 (G1) and G3 had a higher level of genetic diversity and also an important level of heterozygosity.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Arid regions; genetic structure; germplasm; naturalised grapevines; Vitis.
Referencia APA: Milla-Tapia, A., Gómez, S., Moncada, X., León, P., Ibacache, A., & Rosas, M. et al. (2013). Naturalised grapevines collected from arid regions in Northern Chile exhibit a high level of genetic diversity. Australian Journal Of Grape And Wine Research, 19(2), 299-310.
Evidencing a large body of ice in a rock glacier, Vanoise Massif, Northern French Alps.
Monnier, S., Camerlynck, C., Rejiba, F., Kinnard, C., & Galibert, P.
The Sachette rock glacier is an active rock glacier located between 2660 and 2480 m a.s.l. in the Vanoise Massif, Northern French Alps (45° 29′ N, 6° 52′ E). In order to characterize its status as permafrost feature, shallow ground temperatures were monitored and the surface velocity measured by photogrammetry. The rock glacier exhibits near-surface thermal regimes suggesting permafrost occurrence and also displays significant surface horizontal displacements (0.6–1.3 ± 0.6 m yr–1). In order to investigate its internal structure, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey was performed. Four constant-offset GPR profiles were performed and analyzed to reconstruct the stratigraphy and model the radar wave velocity in two dimensions. Integration of the morphology, the velocity models and the stratigraphy revealed, in the upper half of the rock glacier, the good correspondence between widespread high radar wave velocities (>0.15–0.16 m ns–1) and strongly concave reflector structures. High radar wave velocity (0.165–0.170 m ns–1) is confirmed with the analysis of two punctual common mid-point measurements in areas of exposed shallow pure ice. These evidences point towards the existence of a large buried body of ice in the upper part of the rock glacier. The rock glacier was interpreted to result from the former advance and decay of a glacier onto pre-existing deposits, and from subsequent creep of the whole assemblage. Our study of the Sachette rock glacier thus highlights the rock glacier as a transitional landform involving the incorporation and preservation of glacier ice in permafrost environments with subsequent evolution arising from periglacial processes.
Año: 2013
Palabras claves: Rock glacier; ground-penetrating radar; ice.
Referencia APA: Monnier, S., Camerlynck, C., Rejiba, F., Kinnard, C., & Galibert, P. (2013). Evidencing a large body of ice in a rock glacier, Vanoise Massif, Northern French Alps. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 95(2), 109-123.
Can a breakdown in competition-colonization tradeoffs help explain the success of exotic species in the California flora?
Molina-Montenegro, M., Cleland, E., Watts, S., & Broitman, B.
Determining combinations of functional traits that allow a species to colonize new habitats has been central in the development of invasion ecology. Species able to establish in new communities harbor abilities or traits that allow them to use resources or tolerate stress in ways that native species cannot. Tradeoffs among species functional traits along the competition–colonization (CC) continuum, where competitive ability is a decreasing function of dispersal capacity, may allow invasive species to establish themselves in new habitats. The California flora offers a well-characterized model system to examine whether native and exotic species differ in the distribution of functional traits and to examine whether a breakdown of the CC tradeoff is present. We used a random subset of 1000 plants and examined seed traits and life form characteristics along with their seed size and adult height using the Jepson Manual of the plants of California. To test the hypothesis that active dispersal strategies aid in the success of exotic species, we classified species into four seed types according to the presence/absence of mechanisms associated with efficient dispersal. In addition, for each species we compiled data on seed size and adult plant height. We conducted all comparisons between native and exotic species within the four most speciose families to control for potential taxonomic non-independence. Exotic species had smaller seed size but greater plant height than natives of the same families. On the other hand, exotic species also displayed significantly greater proportions of functional traits that enhanced dispersal ability. Additionally, certain sets of functional traits were significantly associated with exotic species, such as annual life histories with small seeds and high dispersal capacity. In the random subset of the California flora examined, exotics of the most speciose plant families show functional trait combinations that appear to violate the tradeoff structures observed in their California counterparts. Our results suggest that taxonomically controlled comparisons of the CC tradeoff structure between natives and exotic species may shed light of the capacity of those exotic species invasive ability to colonize new habitats.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Molina-Montenegro, M., Cleland, E., Watts, S., & Broitman, B. (2012). Can a breakdown in competition-colonization tradeoffs help explain the success of exotic species in the California flora?. Oikos, 121(3), 389-395.
Characterization of the interactions between subterranean and superficial fluxes within an Andean catchment as a function of the spatio- temporal variability of climate.
Jourde, H., Blanc, M., Rochette, R., Ruelland, D., Hicks, E., & Oyarzun, R
In the semi-arid region of Norte Chico (Chile), climate variability, mainly controlled by ENSO and LNSO events, generates a high variability of both surface water and groundwater fluxes. Taking the upper Elqui catchment as an example, this study found that, during LNSO events, the abnormally high values of the runoff coefficient may be the consequence of a groundwater contribution to surface water flow. During ENSO events, however, the lower values of the runoff coefficient and the dynamics of the water table level highlight the recharge of the subsurface compartment. For the hydrological years characterized by a high pluviometric index during the 1977–2008 period, three dynamics of interaction between groundwater and surface water are identified : (i) the water table increases before the river discharge, and its logarithmic increase highlights a rapid recharge related to the concomitance of snowmelt and rainfall events ; (ii) the water table increases after the river discharge and its exponential increase shows a progressive intensification of the recharge over time ; and (iii) the water table and the river discharge increase are concomitant. Dynamics (i) and (ii) are observed during the ENSO events, when precipitation occurs over a long time period ; dynamic (iii) is observed during the neutral years, when high intensity precipitations occur over short periods. The analysis of these dynamics and runoff coefficients shows that when the mean annual precipitation is less than 70 mm, the relative equilibrium between runoff and recharge processes is broken, which may generate a high hydrological deficit; this threshold could thus be used as a warning for drought. Finally, the spatial variability of runoff coefficients shows a larger contribution of the subsurface compartment in catchment with a larger proportion of granites, suggesting a mountain front recharge from the alterites in the granitic watershed.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: hydro-climatic variability, water resource, surface, subsurface interactions, snowmelt, Río Elqui, North-Central Chile.
Referencia APA: Jourde, H., Blanc, M., Rochette, R., Ruelland, D., Hicks, E., & Oyarzun, R. (2012). Caractérisation des interactions entre flux souterrains et superficiels dans un bassin andin en fonction de la variabilité spatio-temporelle du climat. La Houille Blanche, (2), 18-25
Activity patterns and predatory behavior of an intertidal nemertean from rocky shores: Prosorhochmus nelsoni (Hoplonemertea) from the Southeast Pacific.
Caplins, S., Penna-Diaz, M., Godoy, E., Valdivia, N., Turbeville, J., & Thiel, M.
Understanding the impact of environmental stressors on predator activity is a prerequisite to understanding the underlying mechanisms shaping community structure. The nemertean Prosorhochmus nelsoni is a common predator in the mid-intertidal zone on rocky shores along the Chilean coast, where it can reach very high abundances (up to 260 ind m−2) in algal turfs, algal crusts, barnacle crusts, and mixed substrata. Tidal and diurnal scans revealed that the activity of P. nelsoni is primarily restricted to night and early-morning low tides and is relatively low when air temperatures are high. On average, larger worms crawled faster than smaller worms, with their maximum velocity being influenced by substratum type. Their estimated rate of predation is 0.092 prey items nemertean−1 day−1, just below the laboratory rate of ~0.2 amphipods nemertean−1 day−1 previously estimated for this species. P. nelsoni consumes a diverse spectrum of prey items (i.e., amphipods, isopods, decapods, barnacles, and dipterans) and is possibly exerting a significant influence on its prey populations. We suggest that the opportunistic predatory behavior of this intertidal predator is caused by the trade-off between immediate persistence (e.g., avoidance of desiccation) and long-term survival through successful foraging.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: Caplins, S., Penna-Diaz, M., Godoy, E., Valdivia, N., Turbeville, J., & Thiel, M. (2012). Activity patterns and predatory behavior of an intertidal nemertean from rocky shores: Prosorhochmus nelsoni (Hoplonemertea) from the Southeast Pacific. Marine Biology, 159(6), 1363-1374.
Combining information from benthic community analysis and social studies to establish no-take zones within a multiple uses marine protected area
Rojas-Nazar, Ú., Gaymer, C., Squeo, F., Garay-Flühmann, R., & López, D.
A decision support tool was used to determine priority sites for marine conservation within the Isla Grande de Atacama multiple uses marine protected area (MUMPA) in northern Chile, based on both biological and social information. Scuba diving, and an unweighted paired-group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) analyses were used to determine the main benthic communities found in the shallow rocky and soft-sediment subtidal.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: Chile;coastal marine conservation;conservation costs;multiple uses marine protected area;benthic ecology;social ecology
Referencia APA: Rojas-Nazar, Ú., Gaymer, C., Squeo, F., Garay-Flühmann, R., & López, D. (2012). Combining information from benthic community analysis and social studies to establish no-take zones within a multiple uses marine protected area. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 22(1), 74-86.
Isolation of microsatellite markers for two Chilean freshwater anomuran species (Aegla araucaniensis and Aegla pewenchae) using PCR-based methods.
Gouin, N., Bórquez, J., Samollow, P., Douglas, K., Jasti, M., & Bertin, A.
We developed ten polymorphic microsatellite markers for two species of freshwater anomura endemic to Chile, Aegla araucaniensis and Aegla pewenchae, using two PCR-based methods, PIMA and ISSR-PCR. Nine markers per species gave useful PCR products, revealing moderate to high levels of genetic variation. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 13 and the observed heterozygosity from 0.103 to 0.929. All the markers appeared to segregate independently. No departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was found in A. araucaniensis while three markers showed evidence for deficits of heterozygotes and presence of null alleles in A. pewenchae. These markers will be useful for population genetics analyses.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: Aeglidae, Crustacean, Microsatellite, PIMA, ISSR-PCR, Population genetics.
Referencia APA: Gouin, N., Bórquez, J., Samollow, P., Douglas, K., Jasti, M., & Bertin, A. (2012). Isolation of microsatellite markers for two Chilean freshwater anomuran species (Aegla araucaniensis and Aegla pewenchae) using PCR-based methods. Conservation Genet Resour, 4(1), 93-96.